The film is scripted to cover several decades in the life of Eugene Allen, the White House butler who served many presidents; So, based on the outfits and wigs, what period do you think we're looking at here in these photos? 

And, by the way, the lady walking next to Oprah – isn't that Susan Batson the acting coach? Although she's also an actress in her own right. But I wonder what she's doing there; whether she's in the film, or is working with the actors, or is involved in some other capacity.

Principal photography for Lee Daniels' The Butler has begun in New Orleans, with a loaded cast that includes: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, Melissa Leo,Liev Schreiber, Jesse Williams, Mariah Carey, Yaya DaCosta, and many more.

Music for the film will be composed by the legendary Quincy Jones – his first feature film score since 2005's Get Rich Or Die Tryin.

A Laura Ziskin Production, The Butler is being produced by Pamela Oas Williams, the late Laura Ziskin, Lee Daniels, and Cassian Elwes; executive produced by Hilary Shor and Adam Merims; and co-produced by David Jacobson.

The independently-financed film is bankrolled by Follow Through Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Salamander Media, Salloway Rubenstein Productions/Crystal City Entertainment, Earl W. Stafford, Starstream Films, Yogi Entertainment, and Inner Media Capital. 

For our thoughts on the film's script, and casting, read Vanessa's script review HERE, and Natasha's casting close-up of the film HERE.

The rest of the photos, courtesy of YBF, below: