Daniel Day-Lewis is perhaps the most sought-after true Hollywood icon, who has captured millions of hearts with his over-the-top acting skills and charismatic on-screen presence during his run as a leading star in showbiz. A retired English actor, Day-Lewis ruled the silver screen by giving several memorable and power-packed performances and earned many top-level prestigious awards.
However, even after achieving tremendous success, fortune, and fame in his legendary career, he announced that he was leaving his acting profession after making his last big screen appearance in his 2017 American historical drama film Phantom Thread. The 66-year-old star has led a thriving career and worked with many acclaimed directors, including Martin Scorsese.
The Last of the Mohicans movie star once revealed that he admired his work and his extraordinary contribution to cinema. He expressed his desire to work with the award-winning filmmaker before his dream collaboration with him on two monumental projects: Gangs of New York and Age of Innocence.
Daniel Day-Lewis Reveals Why He Wanted to Work with Martin Scorsese
Daniel Day-Lewis has done and achieved a lot in his decades-long acting career. The actor earned many top-billing roles and starred in dozens of iconic and big-banner movies, which allowed him to display his artistic sides and acting chops. The three-time Academy Award-winning star dazzled the audience with his convincing and well-acted performances throughout the 80s and 90s.
The Boxer movie star has had the perks of working with some of the most preeminent directors in the movie business, like Martin Scorsese, whose incredible contribution to art and cinema is inspiring.
Undoubtedly, Scorsese is one of the top-notch directors with whom enough A-list stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Frank Vincent, and Robert De Niro, have worked. In a candid interview with Interview magazine in 1988, Daniel Day-Lewis expressed his desire to work with the Oscar-winning filmmaker. When asked if there is any particular director with whom he really would like to work with, the actor replied,
“I admire Scorsese very much—why pretend otherwise? Of course, I’d like to work with him.”
After his remarks and his desire to work with him, the actor-director duo ultimately collaborated on two major movies that have achieved iconic status in the industry and have left an indelible mark on cinema.
Martin Scorsese and Daniel Day-Lewis’ Collaborations on Films
The London native star began his journey in the early 1980s and delivered many applaud-worthy stage and theater performances before venturing into the film industry to become a successful actor. After his decades-long celebrated career, Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement in 2017, leaving millions of his fans heartbroken.
Nevertheless, the actor has legions of fans who will continue to admire his craft and incredible filmography. While he has worked with many top filmmakers, he once remarked that director Martin Scorsese’s films have significantly inspired and influenced him, saying,
“When [Martin Scorsese’s] ‘Mean Streets’ came out, I was 16, and you cannot imagine the effect it had on me, a young and slightly wayward guy from south V C London. It was like a light going on in my head. It was so influential for me as a young person, never mind as a young actor.”
It’s understandable why several actors, including Day-Lewis, look up to Scorsese for inspiration. The actor finally did his dream collaboration with the director in 1993. He starred in his American historical romantic drama The Age of Innocence and played the role of Newland Archer, a wealthy New York society attorney. He did a phenomenal job and earned critical acclaim.
His exceptional performance helped him land another star-studded movie of Scorsese, the 2002 American epic historical drama Gangs of New York. Both projects received overwhelming responses and earned him acclaim, allowing the Nine movie star to solidify and cement his top-shelf place in the industry.
Source: Interview magazine
