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Spielberg reads out Daniel Day-Lewis's rejection letter for Lincoln
Director was presenting the actor with an award for a role he originally turned down
Steven Spielberg read out a letter from Daniel Day-Lewis politely declining the role of Abraham Lincoln when presenting the actor an award for his performance.
Day-Lewis, who originally turned down the role before being persuaded by Spielberg, scored the New York Film Critics Circle award for best actor.
[Related story: Lincoln leads BAFTA nominations]
The letter from the star of films including 'There Will Be Blood' and 'The Gangs of New York' thanks the director for considering him, but most definitely declines.
It's thought that Day-Lewis will receive an Oscar nomination for his part in the film, and is likely to be among the favourites to win.
Liam Neeson was originally in place for the part, but left the production in 2010 after feeling he'd grown too old to play the American president.
The letter reads:
“Dear Steven,
“It was a real pleasure just to sit and talk with you. I listened very carefully to what you had to say about this compelling history, and I’ve since read the script and found it in all the detail in which it describes these monumental events and in the compassionate portraits of all the principal characters, both powerful and moving.
“I can’t account for how at any given moment I feel the need to explore life as opposed to another, but I do know that I can only do this work if I feel almost as if there is no choice; that a subject coincides inexplicably with a very personal need and a very specific moment in time.
“In this case, as fascinated as I was by Abe, it was the fascination of a grateful spectator who longed to see a story told, rather than that of a participant.
“That’s how I feel now in spite of myself, and though I can’t be sure that this won’t change, I couldn’t dream of encouraging you to keep it open on a mere possibility.
“I do hope this makes sense Steven, I’m glad you’re making the film, I wish you the strength for it, and I send both my very best wishes and my sincere gratitude to you for having considered me.”
'Lincoln' has already received a glut of award nominations so far, including 10 BAFTA nominations - Day-Lewis is up for best leading actor - the most of any film this year.
