Two-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis will star as America’s 16th president Abraham Lincoln in the Steven Spielberg-directed flick Lincoln, we’ve learned.
The announcement came Friday, the 147th anniversary of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.
Based on Team of Rivals, the 2005 best-selling book from Doris Kearns Goodwin, Lincoln follows the historic leader — the first US leader to be assassinated — as he struggles to hold the nation together during the Civil War.
After signing up Day-Lewis, 53, Spielberg praised him as one of the “greatest actors” of all time. The star won Academy Awards for his roles in There Will Be Blood and My Left Foot. Day-Lewis also appeared in the 2009 movie musical Nine.
“I am grateful and inspired that our paths will finally cross with ‘Lincoln,’” Spielberg remarked.
Liam Neeson was reportedly attached to the Lincoln role before dropping out earlier this year.
Lincoln is expected to be released by DreamWorks in 2012. Filming will begin next fall.
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