Spielberg's Abe Lincoln Biopic - news, rumors, castings...

devilshalo · 09-25-07, 12:56 AM

Field is Spielberg's new first lady
By Carly Mayberry
Sept 25, 2007

Sally Field, who raised the flag on behalf of wartime mothers in her bleeped-out Emmy acceptance speech, could just be warming up.

The recent best actress Emmy winner (ABC's "Brothers & Sisters) is attached to play Mary Todd Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's long-gestating biopic "Lincoln." The troubled Mrs. Lincoln bore the president four sons, only two of which survived into adulthood.

Based on historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," the film is expected to focus on the 16th president's role in leading the North in the Civil War.

Liam Neeson will play Lincoln. Previous reports had Marcia Gay Harden as a possibility to play Lincoln's wife.

Tony Kushner is penning the screenplay for the DreamWorks project, which Spielberg will turn his attention to once he completes "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

In addition to her recent Emmy, Field is a two-time Oscar winner for her roles in "Places in the Heart" and "Norma Rae."

She is repped by CAA, Hofflund/Polone and attorneys Tom Hansen and Don Steele.

troystiffler · 09-25-07, 01:07 AM

Too soon.

JumpCutz · 09-25-07, 01:12 AM

Liam Neeson as Lincoln.

NiCK Crush · 09-25-07, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troystiffler

Too soon.

-NiCK

PopcornTreeCt · 09-25-07, 01:37 AM

I heard about the Liam Neeson casting a long time ago and rightfully thought it was ridiculous having an Irishman as Lincoln.

Sierra Disc · 09-25-07, 01:49 AM

Please -- don't spoil the ending!

Wazootyman · 09-25-07, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sierra Disc

Please -- don't spoil the ending!

Spoiler:

runnersdialzero · 09-25-07, 10:23 AM

I can't wait for this. Neeson could win an Oscar here.

Last time Neeson and Spielberg got together they made a pretty good movie, if I recall correctly.

Saxon

starman9000 · 09-25-07, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runnersdialzero

Last time Neeson and Spielberg got together they made a pretty good movie, if I recall correctly.

Which is really amazing, as PopcornTreeCt rightfully thought it was ridiculous having an Irishman as Oskar Schindler.

Drop · 09-25-07, 10:32 AM

Sounds good, guess this'll be out next winter. Love Spielberg's work rate.

Groucho · 09-25-07, 10:38 AM

Official title: Abe Lincoln and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

"Confederates? I HATE those guys!"

Shannon Nutt · 09-25-07, 11:10 AM

Off topic, but what ever happened to Harrison Ford in MANHUNT? I'd much rather see a movie about the tracking of Lincoln's killer than a movie about Lincoln himself. Just because it's less-charted territory.

Mopower · 09-25-07, 11:13 AM

Who's going to play Booth? "Hey Booth! Break a leg!"

Drop · 09-25-07, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon Nutt

Off topic, but what ever happened to Harrison Ford in MANHUNT? I'd much rather see a movie about the tracking of Lincoln's killer than a movie about Lincoln himself. Just because it's less-charted territory.

If Ford really wants to do it, I'm sure it'll get made, KotCS will be a big hit and Ford will probably have a short time once again in the limelight. He'll have the opportunity to do something he really wants to do again. Plus, it being another side to the Lincoln story may help it move ahead.

Currently though, there isn't much talk.

CharlieK · 09-25-07, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopower

Who's going to play Booth? "Hey Booth! Break a leg!"

How's about Gary Oldman?

Groucho · 09-25-07, 11:31 AM

I'm not sure I'd buy Oldman as an assassin.

PopcornTreeCt · 09-25-07, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starman9000

Which is really amazing, as PopcornTreeCt rightfully thought it was ridiculous having an Irishman as Oskar Schindler.

Schindler's List is way overrated.

McHawkson · 09-25-07, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

I'm not sure I'd buy Oldman as an assassin.

Don't underestimate Gary Oldman. He's great actor and I'm sure he can pull it off.

Premise · 09-25-07, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopower

Who's going to play Booth?

How about:

aintnosin · 09-25-07, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

I'm not sure I'd buy Oldman as an assassin.

Really?

Groucho · 09-25-07, 04:01 PM

Have you seen the film? Technically, he didn't play an assassin in that.

cungar · 09-25-07, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

I heard about the Liam Neeson casting a long time ago and rightfully thought it was ridiculous having an Irishman as Lincoln.

Especially one who does nothing to prepare for his roles.

Liam Neeson has read 22 books on the life of Abraham Lincoln, as well as reading his personal diaries to prepare for his role.

Groucho · 09-25-07, 04:36 PM

What do people expect? A drunk scrappy Lincoln who insists that "General Lee will never get a'hold of me pot o' gold. OH HO HO HO HO!"

mwbmis · 09-25-07, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cungar

Especially one who does nothing to prepare for his roles.

Liam Neeson has read 22 books on the life of Abraham Lincoln, as well as reading his personal diaries to prepare for his role.

I was wondering if this would ever get made. I live in Springfield, IL, and Neeson was here in town a year or two ago visiting all of the Lincoln sights (including spending a day at the Lincoln Presidential Library). I guess he got recognized on the tour.

Drexl · 09-25-07, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHawkson

Don't underestimate Gary Oldman. He's great actor and I'm sure he can pull it off.

Didn't he basically play an assassin in Léon?

09-25-07, 12:56 AM	#1
devilshalo DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell Posts: 24,268	Spielberg's Abe Lincoln Biopic - news, rumors, castings... Field is Spielberg's new first lady By Carly Mayberry Sept 25, 2007 Sally Field, who raised the flag on behalf of wartime mothers in her bleeped-out Emmy acceptance speech, could just be warming up. The recent best actress Emmy winner (ABC's "Brothers & Sisters) is attached to play Mary Todd Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's long-gestating biopic "Lincoln." The troubled Mrs. Lincoln bore the president four sons, only two of which survived into adulthood. Based on historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," the film is expected to focus on the 16th president's role in leading the North in the Civil War. Liam Neeson will play Lincoln. Previous reports had Marcia Gay Harden as a possibility to play Lincoln's wife. Tony Kushner is penning the screenplay for the DreamWorks project, which Spielberg will turn his attention to once he completes "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." In addition to her recent Emmy, Field is a two-time Oscar winner for her roles in "Places in the Heart" and "Norma Rae." She is repped by CAA, Hofflund/Polone and attorneys Tom Hansen and Don Steele. __________________ Oh, don't be the victim. Don't make up excuses because you're a dumbass. - Lynda Thompson

09-25-07, 01:07 AM	#2
troystiffler DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Phoenix, AZ, Passively angry as heck but gosh darn I'll sit back and take it you know, whatever Posts: 10,405	Too soon. __________________ Hrmph.

09-25-07, 10:23 AM	#8
runnersdialzero Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hot Springs, AR Posts: 636	I can't wait for this. Neeson could win an Oscar here. Last time Neeson and Spielberg got together they made a pretty good movie, if I recall correctly. Saxon __________________ "Did you know that if you mix up the letters in funeral, you get 'Real Fun'?" Six Feet Under

09-25-07, 10:32 AM	#10
Drop DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: May 2001 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 2,020	Sounds good, guess this'll be out next winter. Love Spielberg's work rate. __________________ The truth of a thing is the feel of it, not the think of it. - Stanley Kubrick Wii Friend Code: 5543 8041 1219 6459 Xbox Live GamerTag:TheBooglarizer

09-25-07, 10:38 AM	#11
Groucho Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 62,434	Official title: Abe Lincoln and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. "Confederates? I HATE those guys!" __________________ Xbox Live: Runner Groucho PSN: RunnerGroucho "The Borg is a species" -- Tracer Bullet (Citation)

09-25-07, 01:12 AM	#3
JumpCutz DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south of heaven Posts: 11,323	Liam Neeson as Lincoln.

09-25-07, 01:37 AM	#5
PopcornTreeCt DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 25,826	I heard about the Liam Neeson casting a long time ago and rightfully thought it was ridiculous having an Irishman as Lincoln.

09-25-07, 01:49 AM	#6
Sierra Disc DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 5,592	Please -- don't spoil the ending!

09-25-07, 11:10 AM	#12
Shannon Nutt DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9,981	Off topic, but what ever happened to Harrison Ford in MANHUNT? I'd much rather see a movie about the tracking of Lincoln's killer than a movie about Lincoln himself. Just because it's less-charted territory.

09-25-07, 11:13 AM	#13
Mopower DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Janitor's closet in Kinnick Stadium Posts: 15,717	Who's going to play Booth? "Hey Booth! Break a leg!"

09-25-07, 11:31 AM	#16
Groucho Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 62,434	I'm not sure I'd buy Oldman as an assassin.

09-25-07, 04:01 PM	#21
Groucho Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 62,434	Have you seen the film? Technically, he didn't play an assassin in that.

09-25-07, 04:36 PM	#23
Groucho Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 62,434	What do people expect? A drunk scrappy Lincoln who insists that "General Lee will never get a'hold of me pot o' gold. OH HO HO HO HO!"