Spielberg's 'Lincoln' in December?
Perhaps another rush job for Steven?
Jeff Wells has received one of his now famous third party bits of information and this time he brings news that we just might see Steven Spielberg's Lincoln getting the greenlight in the next week or so.
The news comes as one of his readers reports from a Harvard University Institute of Politics forum at which playwright and Lincoln scripter Tony Kushner is speaking and said "the decision will be made on Lincoln next week" and that if the green light is given the film will be "out by Christmas."
On top of that Kushner reportedly said the film "only covers two months of his life," and that "the first draft covered four months and [was] 500 pages," and the 13th amendment — the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude — "is a big thing in the movie."
Wells takes this information and presumes Kushner meant the film will cover the last two months of Lincoln's life, or roughly February 15th to April 15th, 1865 — the day of his death. He adds, "The 13th amendment was enacted on December 6, 1865, so there'll apparently be a little skipping around, event- and chronology-wise."
This isn't anything new for Spielberg who pulled a similar rush job on Munich in 2005 when he began principal photography in early July and the film debuted on December 23 that year and went on to earn $130 million worldwide and was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay. Kushner also penned Munich with the aid of Eric Roth (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).
As things stand right now it is assumed Liam Neeson will star as the 16th President and Sally Field has been attached to play his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.
Strangely enough, I mentioned the possibility of this film getting the greenlight earlier today when it was confirmed Spielberg's DreamWorks had joined with Disney in a distribution deal.
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It would be absolutely fantastic if it did get the greenlight. Of course, we'd then have "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" to look forward to in 2010.
Kushner writing a film for Steven to direct starring Liam Neeson as one of the best presidents ever. This has the chance to legendary.
this movie has to be epic,anything less for our single greatest president would,or will be a complete let down for Lincoln buffs such as myself and do a great disrespect to the grandur of the story and man. i just hope they don't glam it,the war and curcumstances leading up to it were dramatric enough easily overkill.
With the current resurrection of Lincoln in popular culture and considering that our current President hails from Illinois, I think the country/world is ready for a biopic of, possibly, our most hallowed public figure.
Still, only two months of Lincoln's life? No rise to power? No secession of South Carolina, attack on Fort Sumter, Gettysburg Address, Emancipation? Wow! All I can say is this, I hope the film covers all of these significant events in Lincoln's life – similar to what Oliver Stone did with his Nixon biopic.
I meant, of course, that Spielberg cover these important events via "flashback."
I keep thinking about Stan Smith on American Dad doing the play "Lincoln Lover"
Aye Gevalt!
liam neeson deserves this role after watching taken. he is such an amazing actor and I believe he is the perfec candidate to pull off the "honest abe" look! Neeson along w/ Spielberg..should be good
Don't judge Neeson based on Taken. Watch Schindler's List, Michael Collins, and Rob Roy– he's meant to play iconic figures, I think.
Liam Neeson is pretty good casting.
I am already excited to see this film.
Isn't Spieilberg filming Tintin at the moment?
liam neeson is a good choice but i thing sean penn would be better.
Sean Penn? Nah..LN is a much superior choice, in my opinion.
Well, I just hope they don't overlook Herndon's contributions. I am excited about this movie and agree that this is the year to do it.
@Brain: Sean Penn!! No way. First of all, look at the physical characteristics of Lincoln, he was a tall, skinny dude. Look at Liam Neeson – add a beard and they are a perfect match. Sean Penn is a short little dude: no way people would believe he was Lincoln.