Daniel Day-Lewis has signed up to play US President Abraham Lincoln in a Steven Spielberg-directed biopic.
The British actor’s casting was announced by Spielberg and DreamWorks‘ Stacey Snider, reports The Guardian.
The story will be based on the best-selling Doris Kearns Goodwin book Team Of Rivals but renamed Lincoln. It will focus on the struggles the 16th US President had with his cabinet as he tried to abolish slavery.
Spielberg said: “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.”
Filming is expected to commence next autumn, with the film released in cinemas a year later.