Just How Many Oscars Will '12 Years a Slave' Get?

Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave is jam-packed with so many A-list stars, it could be easily confused for a Garry Marshall romantic comedy. But, of course, there's one key difference: While A-list fare like Valentine's Day is audience-bait, 12 Years a Slave is most definitely Oscar bait.

But just how many Oscars could the film — based on the true story of a free man sold into slavery in the mid-1800s — snag come 2014? Surely, star Chiwetel Ejiofor — who you might remember from his plum role in Children of Men and who you will remember for his role as Keira Knightley's husband in Love Actually — will be more welcome at the ceremony than perennial front-seat sitter Jack Nicholson. But Oscar already loves co-stars Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard, Quvenzhané Wallis, and, of course, Brad Pitt too.

Add to that appearances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Dano — who, let's face it, should really have nominations of their own by now, following roles in War Horse and There Will Be Blood respectively — and we might as well roll out the carpet for 12 Years a Slave now.

The film's one wildcard? Saturday Night Live's Taran Killam, who bagged a role in 12 Years a Slave that seems a mighty step up from his role as "Male Cheerleader" in Grown Ups 2.

Image: Fox Searchlight