The Oscar contender "12 Years A Slave" received positive buzz at early screenings.
According to Deadline, Fox Searchlight has been testing Steve McQueen's new film and has earned fantastic audience response. The reactions prompted the studio to switch the film's release date to October 18. The film was originally scheduled to be unveiled in December.
The switch seems like a smart decision as numerous Oscar winners have been released in October. 2013's Best Picture winner, "Argo," was released in October and started campaigning at the festival circuit where it was awarded numerous accolades. The film later took home numerous precursor awards. 2006 winner "The Departed" also benefited from an early October release as it also went to the festival circuit and started its buzz quickly after. Both films also benefited from a robust box office and great reviews.
Additionally, the last time a Best Picture winner was released in December was over ten years ago when "Million Dollar Baby" was unveiled. As of late, films that have been released in December have not benefited because they have not created enough buzz and do not give Academy Members enough time to view them on time.
"12 Years of A Slave" tells the story Northrup, a free African-American kidnapped while he is living in New York and sold into slavery. A Baptist preacher William Ford becomes his first owner with whom he shares an "extraordinary friendship" before he becomes the property of evil plantation owner Edwin Epps, and his wife Mistress Epps.
McQueen's film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson, Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, Paul Dano and Paul Giamatti. A trailer is slated to appear in front of Fox Searchlight's new film "The Way Way Back" on July 5th. "12 Years A Slave" is rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality.