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.