Steven Spielberg has proved that he is the Jack of all trades and master of everything when it comes to versatility in cinema. A filmmaker who has never been boxed into any specific genre when it comes to his filmography, Spielberg has also worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest superstars including Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford.
While his films like the Indiana Jones series and War of the Worlds featuring Ford and Cruise have become massive blockbusters, the Jaws director revealed that it was the genius of Daniel Day-Lewis whom he directed in Lincoln, that stunned him. In an interview, Spielberg revealed his reasons for considering Lewis as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Steven Spielberg Was Completely Awestruck By Daniel Day-Lewis
In 2012, Steven Spielberg took on the herculean task of recreating the life of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, in a biopic. The film starred British actor Daniel Day-Lewis who is famously known for his intense method acting skills that made him one of the most versatile actors of his time.
Lewis’ talent and genius in bringing characters to life was witnessed first hand by his director Spielberg, who himself has mesmerized audiences and critics around the world with his mastery over the craft. Having worked with many huge superstars in his career, the E.T. filmmaker could not quite believe what Lewis was able to achieve.
In an interview with Economic Times in 2013 during a trip to India to meet filmmakers, the Schindler’s List director spoke of his lead actor’s ability immerse himself into the role he was playing, a trait that completely left him speechless when he witnessed it first hand while filming the movie.
For me, he is like the experience of my career. He was the number one experience of my career, in terms of working with an actor. He transformed himself and became completely unrecognizable. I have never seen that happen before.
Spielberg believed that anyone who took on the role of a depicting a real character, especially someone of Lincoln’s stature in history, needed to be able to become one with the person. He admitted that only Lewis had this innate ability to pull of the role with such aplomb.
How Steven Spielberg Convinced A Reluctant Daniel Day-Lewis To Become Lincoln
It is hard to imagine anyone other than Daniel Day-Lewis portraying the various nuances of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s critically-acclaimed biopic. The film also won the British star his 3rd Academy Award For Best Actor and deservedly so. Spielberg too, has confessed that the Gangs of New York star is among his favorite actors in Hollywood.
But there was a time when Lewis rejected Lincoln when he was approached for it, which led to the director almost casting Liam Neeson for the role. The Oscar-winning actor though, ultimately signed on to portray the great American President. Recalling how things came a full circle, Spielberg stated what went down in an interview with Collider.
So, the timeline was simply that I had approached Daniel first to play Lincoln, but he turned me down. That was about eight or nine years ago. And then, Liam and I had a very healthy flirt about possibly doing it together. And then, we both decided to do other things. And then, I came back to Daniel.
Lewis further elaborated on why he initially took the decision to step back from this project, which even to someone of his acting stature, was an intimidating prospect.
Steven put the idea in front of me and it was not that I didn’t take it seriously, from the word go, but it seemed inconceivable to me that I could be the person to help him do this thing that he wished to do. Least of all, did I want to be responsible for irrevocably staining the reputation of the greatest President this country’s ever known.
Ultimately, Spielberg succeeded in bringing the Oscar winner on board by convincing him through a brilliant script that put the nuances of the character of Abraham Lincoln front and center, with the aspects of the Civil War being the secondary features.
Lewis for his part, was extremely respectful towards his fellow actor Neeson and believed that he would have done a stellar job of bringing Lincoln to life. He was also grateful to the Irish veteran for his selflessness and grace in encouraging him to take on the role and having discussions with him about it, despite having stepped away from it himself.
Lincoln can be rented on Apple TV.
