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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln from Spielberg's New Movie

by Alex Billington
November 30, 2011

Spielberg is on a roll, finishing up War Horse and Tintin for release, and already in production on his next film Lincoln. While I'm excited for War Horse, Lincoln already has me just as excited, mostly to see how Daniel Day-Lewis will play our 16th President, since we know he's a full-on method actor. I saw a tweet the other day mention that apparently Day-Lewis hasn't broken his accent since March, or something to that effect. I've been waiting for a first look and here we are - this should instantly make you go "whoa!" A photo is making the rounds (via Richmond/SlashFilm) of Day-Lewis out dining with the full-on beard. Awesome.

Here's the photo snapped in Richmond, Virginia, where Lincoln is currently shooting. A tweet to us adds: "We should see a lot this week, they have turned the state Capitol into the White House and it looks great."

Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln First Look

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, which is currently shooting already, stars Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood) as our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and focuses on the last four months of his life, guiding the North to victory during the Civil War. The cast includes Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Earle Haley, Lee Pace, John Hawkes, Walton Goggins, Hal Holbrook, Tim Blake Nelson and David Oyelowo. The film has a screenplay most recently by Oscar nominee Tony Kushner (Angels in America, Munich). It's expected to get a late 2012 debut after the elections, but for the moment is filming in Virginia. Looking forward to seeing more, expect this to be another Spielberg epic.

Filed under First Look, Hype, Photos

From around the web:

http://twitter.com/QuanahTweets Quanah

Awesomeness times sweetness.
- kanagaraj k
  
  There is no doubt that DDL is a brilliant actor. Daniel Day-lewis Abraham Lincoln (2012) Movie Shooting Photos Leaked: http://su.pr/2yqoFs
Xerxexx

Not bad...Day Lewis will be excellent as Lincoln.
Anonymous

Daniel Day-Lewis is an amazing actor. He seems to really get into his roles. He should be great as Lincoln.
Kyle

It looks good, but I do wish that Liam Neeson was still in it
- RhythmDave
  
  He would have done a great job with the role, but Honestly, I don't think theres anyone better that Daniel Day Lewis for this.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Hans-Kleinenberg/100000180150953 Hans Kleinenberg
    
    I don't really think there's anybody better than DDL period.
tir na nog

Spielberg and day-lewis is a win for me,two geniuses.I thought Liam neeson was pretty serious and committed to doing it but thats obviously changed.
- Doug
  
  Liam Neeson and Daniel Day Lewis are on two different levels. Show some respect.
stfugtfo

why he is wearing jeans??
- andrew
  
  its called taking a break to eat
  - stfugtfo
    
    its not called being historically accurate....oh wait i forgot it's a spielberg film
    - Anonymous
      
      So even while he is on a break he should dress the part?
      - rennmaxbeta
        
        Well apparentlly he hasn't broken his Lincoln accent since March... so he IS very dedicated to his work.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Hans-Kleinenberg/100000180150953 Hans Kleinenberg
      
      Yeah exactly, and what's with the sneakers and the turtleneck sweater? Man, this movie is going to be bad as hell! Come on dude, you must be joking
      - Zoso25
        
        Moron,...He's on break
    - Imnotokay
      
      you're an idiot. Its not a still from the movie.
    - erkx57
      
      Spielberg is typically really good with historical accuracy, but it's all irrelevant to Daniel Day Lewis eating breakfast before going on set.
Nick S.

he certainly looks the part!
Bigfatimac

"I free your slaves!"
- Xerxexx
  
  "I free them up!"
- Masspijoe
  
  Lincoln freed Obama?
truong18

I gotta admired this guy for how he dedicated so much for his roles.
http://twitter.com/Rocker22 Stephen

Here is what our State Capitol looks like as the White House.
- JimHeaphy52
  
  The movie is about the last few months of Lincoln's life. He visited Richmond and Petersburg in the weeks before he was assassinated, including the Confederate Capitol Building, which is the current Virginia Capitol. I don't think that Spielberg is using that building as a stand-in for anything, but is filming a recreation of Lincoln's visit to Richmond and that very building at the very end of the Civil War. Just read the book "Team of Rivals" which the movie is based on.
  - steph
    
    Tomorrow is the last day filming at Petersburg (Old Towne). They shot in Old Towne for a week, Tues - Mon, I believe and were in Richmond for near a month, mostly in the heart of it with a day or so at Maymont (in Richmond). They shot in other areas too, I heard some farm in Powhatan, somewhere in Goochland or Mechanicsville for battle scenes. I have some friends who were hired on as extras, so got to hear a little bit about things. Last day filming in Virginia tomorrow. One day after Spielberg's 65th birthday. I wonder if he had intended to be done here by that date...just missed it. There's an article in Richmond's Style Weekly that have some decent photos. Someone found a high up spot and got a lot of photos, there's a link to his Smugmug account so you can see them all. Spielberg is in a couple, not DDL (I don't think)
HB

I immediately think of Steve Jobs when I see that outfit... however, can't wait!
- http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
  
  So what you're saying is... once he's done with this, Daniel Day-Lewis needs to be cast as Steve Jobs in that biopic? Yes, I agree.
Dabaki

wheres the mole?
- Gabriel Ortiz
  
  CGI the mole
Chris Batty

I thought he quit acting for good. Moved to Italy to become a shoe maker. Pfft.
peloquin

Nice! I just ate at The Arcadia last weekend...I'll be checking out the capital this weekend to see the transformation that's been made. I know they haven't mowed the lawn since August.
George S.

Damn...he's got the look locked down. Can't wait to see it in action!
Seanmerlino

Good Lord he look's just like him!
Horseflesh

Bastard from a basket!
- shsh
  
  lol lol bastard from a basket drainege lol lol
http://twitter.com/JohnnyNeat Johnny Neat

I smell Oscar is done right. I just hope Steven does history as it was and doesn't do the film an injustice with his positive spin. Although I know Steven is great with history.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MTEO7RKG3IO7LOJZ3GJJ5NSOOI john s

Oh My God this will be awesome. Daniel Day Lewis is such an outstanding actor.
Gabriel Ortiz

DDL is a rediculously talented actor. I can't wait to see this. I only noticed two differences between the pics of DDL and Abe: 1) DDL looks healthy whereas Abe looks sickly 2) the hair styles are different (but I'm sure the set's stylist will give DDL Abe's 'a cat just ran through my hair' look when filming). In any case, this is going to be an epic film.
alkalitta

com'on know we all know Lincoln was a black man ,,,
joseph

An actor whose on-screen intensity is rivaled only by his off-screen intensity, Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the most acclaimed and private performers of his generation. Daniel Interview WATCH ! on youtube http://adf.ly/3yn6Y
John Archer26

Uncanny resemblence....looking forward to the movie.
Ebgreen8987

I am very excited to see this movie..I have already experienced them filming it up and close..and my Fiance has even shaken Mr. Steven's hand...Guess I was lucky enough to be working so close to the State Capital...lol
Ahmed Hozayen

One of my favorite US Presidents of all time for me. Can't wait to see the movie.
JLU44

Give me the actors for Salmon P. Chase, Gideon Wells, Robert E. Lee and John Wilkes Booth. That's what the real history buff wants to see.....I read the book. Thaddeus Stevens, Fernando Wood, etc. I don't get this.......
Lincoln man

Prarrie lawyer, family man, statesman, military leader, story teller, melancholic, father of the nation. The task of presenting Lincoln in all his facets is truly monumental. The ingredients are there for a great movie.
Burton1955

I worked on the movie as an contraband Steven came over to me as me a question we both laughed he is truly a great person and now. My friend. Also Adam is a very hard working Director also one of the best in film. Guys can't wait to do it again(smile) Duke
http://www.vcminteractive.com/ Paul N

I can't wait to see this film. Wow, Daniel Day does it again...I hope. The Tim Burton vampire rendition of Lincoln looks cool too.
Steve Mccoy23

Daniel day is the man, when I saw this pic of him dining you already know he left the set to eat, not even breaking character, I call it now that hell win the grandaddy of knicknacks this next year, he's made this role his btch, and played it like a fiddle
Jsmills1962

Hell, if you think the DDL pic is good (eating at Hill Cafe), then too bad you weren't working and watching DDL at is craft. Lincoln is going to be great and many thanks to Spielberg (Boss) for filming here in Richmond. Being a part of "Lincoln" was pretty Bitchin'. Can't wait to see the final edit... Due out - Dec 2012
Jpharis

Few know that when Lincoln visited Richmond, it was as a tourist so he wore a turtle neck and jeans like he did before becoming president. He was trying out a knew hairdoo, too. It caught on; later to become known as the D.A.
madjak

DDL best actor ever , any role , ill watch this just to see him act