We are the Turners – Carole Turner’s family is consistently getting roles in major movies as extras; up next—her son, Abel, in 12 Years a Slave

It’s one thing to say you’ve been in an extra in a movie, but how many can say, “my son was almost in a Quentin Tarantino film”?

Carole Turner, a Baton Rouge mom and extra herself, can make that claim.

Not only have Turner and her husband Dean been cast as extras in box office hits such as Pitch Perfect, Contraband and 21 Jump Street, her two adopted sons Steele and Abel and biological daughter Evangeline have also been extras in everything from The Campaign, Contraband and the upcoming Oscar contender 12 Years a Slave.

She adopted Abel, who is now 11, from Ethiopia when he was six years old. He is a soft-spoken, but happy, young man who can’t wait to be in movies. Though he was an extra in Tarantino’s Django Unchained, his scene got cut.

“Over half the time, your scene gets cut,” Turner says. “You never know how it will turn out. That’s just the nature of the beast.”

However, Turner says Abel could be in a pivotal scene of 12 Years a Slave.

“I explained to Abel that this was a big movie,” she says. “While we were on set, everyone knew they were making something that was a big deal. Even though it might not be popular, we knew it was going to be important.”

12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender, and is directed by Steve McQueen, who directed the NC-17 adult-drama Shame.

The film was shot in Vacherie, La., and is based on the book by Solomon Northup. Though this movie has already won acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, its subject matter is realistic and graphic—something casting director Brent Caballero of Caballero Casting made sure the Turners and the rest of his cast knew.

“[Caballero] called everyone in that he had cast and told us that it would be graphic, and the shoot would be hot,” Turner says. “But the directors and the crew are protective of what the kids see and don’t see. You know they’ll do everything that can to protect the kids, plus you’re there. As a mom, I’m watching.”

Abel himself says the shoot was hot, but fun. He knows how big the reception to 12 Years a Slave might be.

“I feel really happy about this,” Abel says. “I hope I make it in the movie, but you never know.”

He doesn’t mind acting, because he gets to eat whatever he wants—he likes Doritos and junk food, if you’re taking notes.

Already, he’s met people like the aforementioned Ejiofor, Mark Wahlberg and has played ball with Kevin Costner. Abel and his two siblings are featured extras in the upcoming 2014 film Black and White, starring Costner and Octavia Spencer.

“I like Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Tony Stark [Robert Downey Jr.], Thor [Chris Hemsworth] and Captain America [Chris Evans],” Abel says. “I just want to be in action movies. Those actors are awesome and nice.”

Though he’s a bit nervous for his first interview, Abel is enjoying the spotlight. He tells people at school about his roles. Sometimes, friends tell him they saw him on a certain movie.

“I can’t wait to get famous,” he says. “I want to be like those actors that I’ve met, that’s what I always think.”
And if he could be in any movie?

“I would be the main character of The Avengers 2,” he says.