After years of will he or won’t he make that Abraham Lincoln biopic, Steven Spielberg has decided yes in favor of “Yes, it will be my next film starting in Fall 2011.”
Though Liam Neeson has always been the man for the stovepipe hat, and has allegedly spent years researching for the part, he will no longer be playing it. He dropped out in July, claiming he is now too old for the part.
Instead, Abraham Lincoln will be played by that master of mimicry, Daniel Day-Lewis.
“Daniel Day-Lewis would have always been counted as one of the greatest of actors, were he from the silent era, the golden age of film or even some time in cinema’s distant future. I am grateful and inspired that our paths will finally cross with Lincoln,” said Spielberg in DreamWorks’ official press release. And there’s nothing much to say beyond that, which is why I let Spielberg say it. Day Lewis will knock it out of the park, and already looks good in stovepipe hats (see: Gangs of New York) so there’s nothing to complain about. You can feel bad for Neeson (and I really do) but this choice certainly isn’t a downgrade in talent.
The rest of the film’s stats remain the same. It will be based on Doris Kearn Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, and Tony Kushner’s screenplay stands. Lincoln will hit theaters in Fall of 2012.
15 comments
So after years of research, Mr. Neeson takes himself out of the role… because he's too old? Why no comment from Spielberg on Neeson's decision? I smell more to the story then is being reported.
oooohhh motherFUCKER this is awesome news.
Love the title of this news item.
As much as I would've loved to see Neeson play Lincoln (he would've been perfect), this is VERY exciting. Daniel Day-Lewis is incredible.
and if I'm not mistaken, it was DDL who was first approached in some capacity by Nolan during the casting of Batman Begins for the role of Ra's. could you have imagined DDL as Joker? Shit, as any villain. While I don't mind the Hugo Strange talk for Hardy, picture DDL in that role. Come on!
Yeah, sounds like some bad blood there. Neeson's being nice by saying he's too old, when what he really means is, "I'm sick of being dicked around by that Hollywood pencil-neck and all his bullshit cronies. Fuck them and their bloody Yank hagiography. Now if you'll excuse me, I have embarrassingly bad action movies to make."
The web should have been named "The Speculation Generator." The book "Team of Rivals" was a great study on Lincoln, the savvy politician. I'm looking forward to this.
I don't feel particularly bad for Neeson. He has more money than I'll ever see in my lifetime.
I think DDL is awesome but, um, he's like the height of an elf. Is he going to wear Prince boots while drinking the South's milkshakes?
What are you talking about, LD? DDL is 6'1" or 6'2". That's hardly elfin, and only about 2" shorter than Lincoln.
Despite the fact that in The A-Team film, Nesson's part, Hannibal, is only 43 year old. Neeson is nearly 60 playing a 43 year old. Hmmm.
That's LFN to you sir.
Lincoln died at 56. His political career began at 23. Who knows how much time they spend in the early years? I don't think Day-Lewis could get away with playing a guy in his twenties but thirties isn't too much of a stretch. Whereas thirties is kind of a stretch for Neeson and forties seems like the youngest he could play. Then again Day-Lewis is only 5 years younger than Neeson. Yeah, smells like some fuckery is going on. Good fuckery though, DDL and the Berg is something that's been waiting to happen.
Neeson is too old to play Lincoln but he's not too old to run around Paris kicking ass in Taken?
Something Hollywoodish happpened here, but there aren't enough facts available to really know what it was. Neeson is a tremendous talent when he isn't doing junk movies, but Day-Lewis is one of the few movie actors I know who I'd actually call brilliant, and he doesn't really do junk material. Since the only really great Lincoln performance I've ever seen is Henry Fonda's in John Ford's YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (and that's the young jackleg lawyer Lincoln, not the mature, Presidential Lincoln), this sounds like the best possible news. Day-Lewis could give his performance stone drunk and still be more convincing than most other actors have been in this role.
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