Spielberg's LINCOLN in theaters Dec 09?

[Sussudio]

Playwright Tony Kushner, who's been laboring on a script for Steven Spielberg's Lincoln movie for a very long time, is right now taking part in a discussion at a Harvard University Institute of Politics forum panel discussion called "Looking For Lincoln: In His Time and Ours -- A Conversation on the Meaning of Abraham Lincoln.Kushner has 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." That's pretty fast work for a expensive period film that'll use a lot of CG, no? Even if Spielberg passes on Civil War battle scenes.

Kushner also said that Lincoln "only covers two months of his life," my guy says, and that "the first draft covered four months and [was] 500 pages." Kushner also said that the 13th amendment -- the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude -- "is a big thing in the movie."

One presumes that Kushner meant that 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. The 13th amendment was enacted on December 6, 1865, so there'll apparently be a little skipping around, event- and chronology-wise.

Link: http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2009/...rgs_linc_2.php

I expect this to be a great Spielberg film--whenever it comes out--especially with Liam Neeson on board. I can't think of anyone else better for the role.

[Ernest Rister]

Hopefully the financial woes of Dreamworks won't scuttle this...with the election of President Obama, there really won't be a better time to release this film, short of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War coming up in 2010.

EDIT

Just wanted to add I doubt it will cover the last two months of Lincoln's life. The war was pretty much a fait accompli by that point. More likely it will center on Lincoln's tortured decision to give the emancipation proclamation, and his inability to do so without a decisve Union victory, and all the behind the scenes and political wrangling over the decision to emancipate the slaves at all.

So my guess is that it covers the two months leading up to the battle of Gettysburgh, concluding with the Gettysburgh address followed by the Emancipation.

EDIT

Sorry, I love the Civil War. Can you wrap your mind around Steven Spielberg directing combat action footage of the three days of Gettysburgh?

[McKellars]

I expect this to be good as well. I love Liam Neeson.

[wnicholas76]

Originally Posted by McKellars

I expect this to be good as well. I love Liam Neeson.

+1

[cembros]

i wonder if people will be unhappy with a non american playing the role of lincoln, i really hope not as i think neeson will do a great job.

[JamesKurtovich]

I think a lot of people think Liam Neeson is American because he's in a lot of big budget Hollywood films, like Christian Bale.

[McKellars]

Originally Posted by cembros

i wonder if people will be unhappy with a non american playing the role of lincoln, i really hope not as i think neeson will do a great job.

I don't think anyone will have a problem with it. I would rather have a great non-American actor playing him rather than a sub-par American actor.

[Ernest Rister]

Well, seeing as all Americans all came to this continent from somewhere else, including the Native Americans, I don't have a problem with Liam Neeson or Jaques Cousteau or Crocodile Dundee playing Abraham Lincoln.

[cembros]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

I think a lot of people think Liam Neeson is American because he's in a lot of big budget Hollywood films, like Christian Bale.

yes and bale does a perfect american accent, my girlfiend thought he was american

[LynxFX]

This sounds a lot like the shooting schedule for Munich. I think he did it in something like 70 days with a pretty short post production.

That would be something if it comes out this year since a lot of people were thinking it wouldn't be coming until 2011 or later.

[sfmarine]

We won't see this for a while but I'm sure it will be a great film!

[uziel5000]

Originally Posted by cembros

i wonder if people will be unhappy with a non american playing the role of lincoln, i really hope not as i think neeson will do a great job.

Well it sure didn't stop Tom Wilkinson from playing Ben Franklin in John Adams. And I think that was one of the best performances in that entire mini-series. I think Neeson will step up big time. Especially with Spielberg behind the camera.

[The Big Blue]

I'm more worried about Kushner & Spielberg letting their politics mess this thing up.

Crossing my fingers.

[P@t_Mtl]

Looking forward to this one, should be a very interesting movie.

[Blu-Ron]

While I disagree with the casting of Liam Neeson, I am looking forward to this flick.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

While I disagree with the casting of Liam Neeson, I am looking forward to this flick.

out of complete curiosity, who would you cast?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

out of complete curiosity, who would you cast?

Yes I wonder also, there are not that many 6 foot 4 actors around with Liam's acting skills that could pull such a role.

[Blu-Ron]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Yes I wonder also, there are not that many 6 foot 4 actors around with Liam's acting skills that could pull such a role.

Touche.
I just think that a no-name actor who's a dead ringer should be cast. Or as I always say...pull a Star Wars. Then again, I had negative thoughts about Heath when I first heard that he was gonna be the next Joker. look how well he did.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

Touche.
I just think that a no-name actor who's a dead ringer should be cast. Or as I always say...pull a Star Wars. Then again, I had negative thoughts about Heath when I first heard that he was gonna be the next Joker.

I usualy also wonder about the castings of movie sometimes and I was right there with you with Heath Ledger for Joker, I went like WHAT?? But he sure made me eat my words In this case I think it's a great choice, Neeson is a very outstanding actor and I believe he can pull this off.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

We won't see this for a while but I'm sure it will be a great film!

um, according the original post it should be out in december. that's not long at all.

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

Touche.
I just think that a no-name actor who's a dead ringer should be cast. Or as I always say...pull a Star Wars. Then again, I had negative thoughts about Heath when I first heard that he was gonna be the next Joker. look how well he did.

i think no-name actors are a bit of a gamble. just because they are a dead ringer for lincoln doesn't mean they can act to save their lives. though speilberg does manage to cast no-names a lot with great success. he's got that touch.