Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is poised to emerge from his acting retirement to feature in his son’s directorial debut.
The acclaimed British actor, a three-time Oscar recipient, has garnered best actor honors for his portrayals in My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln, and is widely considered one of the most celebrated performers of his era.
He declared his retirement from acting following his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread, which delves into the fashion industry of 1950s London, earning him another Academy Award nomination.
The 67-year-old has mostly steered clear of the public eye since, although he made a surprising visit to the National Board of Review Awards in January to honor US filmmaker Martin Scorsese with an award.
He also graced a screening of his spouse Rebecca Miller’s film, She Came To Me, in New York in 2023.
Now, Sir Daniel is set to appear in Anemone, directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, as per US independent production company Focus Features.
The father-son duo collaborated on the screenplay, which is characterized as an examination of the connections between fathers, sons, and brothers, and “the intricacies of familial relationships”.
Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley, and Safia Oakley-Green are also slated to star in the film, which will be produced by Focus Features in association with Plan B.
“We could not be more thrilled to collaborate with a visionary filmmaker like Ronan Day-Lewis on his inaugural feature film, alongside Daniel Day-Lewis as his creative partner,” stated Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski in a formal announcement.
“They have crafted an extraordinary script, and we eagerly anticipate showcasing their collective vision to audiences in partnership with the team at Plan B.”
Sir Daniel first graced the screen as a youth in Sunday Bloody Sunday in 1971, later taking on numerous unforgettable roles in period dramas.
He gained fame for his portrayal of Hawkeye in Michael Mann’s 1992 masterpiece The Last Of The Mohicans, and also received Oscar nominations for his roles in Gangs Of New York and In The Name Of The Father.
The illustrious star was knighted for his contributions to the performing arts by Prince William in 2014.
In June 2017, his retirement from acting was publicly revealed by his representative Leslee Dart, who remarked: “Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be pursuing a career as an actor.”
“He is profoundly thankful to all of his collaborators and audiences throughout the years.”
“This is a personal choice, and neither he nor his representatives will provide any further comments regarding this matter.”
Sir Daniel has yet to publicly address his upcoming role.