‘Lincoln’ director Steven Spielberg says working with Daniel Day-Lewis was life changing

Spielberg sings the praises of Oscar-nominated Day-Lewis

Spielberg explains that for that initial Lincoln project, he had gone to Daniel Day-Lewis to take on the role, but the Wicklow man “had said no in a beautifully written letter,” so he turned to Neeson. That project, however, never ultimately came together, but Spielberg and Neeson had a very “amicable” parting of their ways.

“I didn’t think I’d have a chance to get Daniel to reconsider a brand new Lincoln movie,” said Spielberg of his second attempt at a Lincoln project. “But I tried to get to him in various ways. I tried to get to him through his manager.”

Other Hollywood A-Lister Leonardo DiCaprio was soon to help though. “We were having dinner,” Spielberg recalls, “and I told Leo the whole story with Daniel about how I had tried to do a Lincoln movie and the next day Leo called me in the office and said, ‘Take this number down. That’s Daniel Day-Lewis’s cell phone and he is expecting your call’. And that’s when the train started pulling out of the station.”

And now that train is roaring in for Academy Award glory.The film now nominated for a staggering twelve Oscars - including Day-Lewis for Best Lead Actor. If he wins, this will be Day-Lewis’ third Oscar for a lead actor performance.

The Oscars air on February 24th on ABC.

​
Nster.com