Filmmaking duo Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender have been putting out such intriguing, controversial and acclaimed work with the likes of Hunger and Shame that it was only a matter of time before others wanted in on the fun. And now Brad Pitt has signed on to the cast of the pair’s latest film, Twelve Years A Slave.

Actually, Pitt was already involved in the film, having agreed to produce it via his Plan B company. But the eagle-eyed types over at The Playlist spotted a little mention of Pitt’s added involvement in a story on Screen Daily, and got some confirmation from the actor’s company itself that he’s definitely taking a role.

What that will be remains to be seen, but we do know the film will star Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free black man living in 1850s New York who is enticed to visit Washington under the guise of a job offer. There, he’s kidnapped and sold into slavery under various owners. Northup won his freedom when a Canadian carpenter smuggled letters to the man’s wife, and she spearheaded a court case to get him released.

McQueen and John Ridley have adapted the script from Northup’s autobiography, and shooting will start sometime next year.