TRAILER AND POSTER: Chiwetel Ejiofor Fights for Freedom in '12 Years a Slave'

There are some movies that you just know are going to be Oscar contenders the moment you lay eyes on them. 12 Years a Slave is one of those movies. Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the book of the same name, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup. In 1841, Northup was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and despite being a freedman, was sold into slavery, working on Louisiana plantations.

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Northup, leading a stellar cast that also includes Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti and Brad Pitt. This will be the third time that McQueen has directed Fassbender, already working with him on Hunger and Shame. I have a feeling that the Academy won't be able to ignore the duo after 12 Years a Slave. From what we're seeing in the first trailer for the movie, released on Monday, Fassbender has turned in a powerful performance as Edwin Epps, the man who came to own Northup.

12 Years a Slave opens on Oct. 18. Head past the jump to check out the first trailer for the movie along with a new poster.