Neeson Lincoln

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Liam Neeson "is prepping for his role as Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's film about the Great Emancipator," it says in Rush & Molloy's 12.6 column. "[In so doing] Neeson toured the New York Historical Society's exhibit 'New York Divided: Slavery and the Civil War' and attended a lecture by 'The Gettysburg Gospel' author Gabor Boritt."

Good heavens, hold on...Neeson was preparing for the same role when I spoke to him twice about it in August 2005 -- 16 friggin' months ago -- and there hasn't been any announcement since that Spielberg is going to finally commit to making the historical biopic, which will cover Lincoln's Presidency from his inauguration to assassination. Maybe Neeson knows something we don't? It would be nice if Spielberg were to finally pull the trigger or at least let someone else step in. Lincoln obviously has the earmarks of a great Neeson role.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 6, 2006 at 10:07 AM

comment #1

Ju-osh says ...

Uh-oh. Regular readers of Hollywood Elsewhere will remember that film projects that gestate longer than a year are as doomed as marriages to fat women.

Posted by Ju-osh at December 6, 2006 11:31 AM

comment #2

Dixon Steele says ...

Will anyone under 50 want to see this one?

Posted by Dixon Steele at December 6, 2006 11:57 AM

comment #3

Rich S. says ...

I was actually thinking 150.

Posted by Rich S. at December 6, 2006 12:09 PM

comment #4

jeffmcm says ...

I am under 50 and I would love to see this movie.

Posted by jeffmcm at December 6, 2006 1:14 PM

comment #5

lesterg says ...

Is this based on that book that theorized Lincoln was gay?

Posted by lesterg at December 6, 2006 1:23 PM

comment #6

Spacesheik says ...

Does this mean INDIANA JONES IV is dead?

Posted by Spacesheik at December 6, 2006 2:43 PM

comment #7

JeanneValJean says ...

I don't think it means anything -- except perhaps that DW might be waiting for a good script. Latest scribe to tackle it is Tony "Angels In America" Kushner.

Posted by JeanneValJean at December 6, 2006 2:54 PM

comment #8

Eddie says ...

Maybe Indy IV is about him saving Lincoln.

Posted by Eddie at December 6, 2006 3:13 PM

comment #9

dixiedugan says ...

I wonder if Neeson would like to borrow my copy of Ken Burns 'The Civil War'...

Posted by dixiedugan at December 6, 2006 3:36 PM

comment #10

MAGGA says ...

"Latest scribe to tackle it is Tony "Angels In America" Kushner."

Is this true? If so this is a happy day for me. Am in awe of Munich, and I look forward to anything Spielberg does. And of course this does not mean that Indy 4 is dead (though I am starting to wish it did), as when Spielberg gets working he often cranks out a couple of movies a year. It is a good thing that they are taking their time on this, and Neeson really seems to have ambitions for this role, which is a good sign. And damn you, Welles, for even suggesting another director take over at this point. I have a feeling we are in for something special (I just hope no one proclaims it a masterpiece prematurely, as Welles will then "help take it down" to make room for another Crash to sweep the Oscars.

Posted by MAGGA at December 6, 2006 4:29 PM

comment #11

The Movie Man says ...

MAGGA, I was similarly impressed with Spielberg's MUNICH, I think its his finest non-fantasy/adventure film, in that vein I think it would be interesting to see Spielberg tackle an adaptation of MANHUNT, the book about the search for Booth, I think that could bring out all of Spielberg's strengths.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 6, 2006 5:18 PM

comment #12

JeanneValJean says ...

Magga, it's true.

Posted by JeanneValJean at December 6, 2006 5:35 PM

comment #13

le corbeau says ...

Great, I can't wait to see Tony Kushner's scathing attack on a president who trashed civil liberties, invaded another country, and dropped the name of God into every speech he made.

Posted by le corbeau at December 7, 2006 7:44 AM

comment #14

Edward says ...

I liked "Munich" very much; it's one of Spielberg's finest films and I too look forward to "Lincoln." On the other hand, let's all hope Indy IV is dead and buried.

Posted by Edward at December 7, 2006 12:17 PM

comment #15

The Movie Man says ...

Edward-I agree, I want INDY 4 to be gone for good, no one's actually going to make it, Spielberg's mind isn't there anymore and Lucas, well, who the hell knows where his mind is at. The thing's been percolating for 15 years, let it die.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 7, 2006 12:55 PM

comment #16

JeanneValJean says ...

And - it pains me to say this - Harrison Ford is not looking so 'young' these days. I agree. 15 years - let it go gracefully. Time to remember with smiles. Three was the charm - four, well, if it looks like it and smells like it, chances are, it is. And no one wants Indy to end on that note.

Posted by JeanneValJean at December 7, 2006 4:44 PM

comment #17

le corbeau says ...

Three was the charm? I'm not convinced there's that many good Indiana Jones movies. I sort of think there's one Sean Connery, one Roger Moore and one Timothy Dalton movie, if you know what I mean.

Posted by le corbeau at December 7, 2006 4:49 PM

comment #18