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 Oprah's look in the photos below, they were likely shooting scenes covering the latter years.

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.

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.

Photos below: