Daniel Day-Lewis is on the short list of candidates for greatest screen actor of all time. He’s been nominated for six Academy Awards for Best Actor, and is the only man to ever win the category three times. 84ju

Part of what makes Day-Lewis such a sought after performer, though, besides his talent, is his selectiveness. He’s only made six films in the last 25 years, and he announced his retirement after the release of the period drama Phantom Thread in 2017. So what gives? Is he coming back or is he going to remain in retirement? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Daniel Day-Lewis’ new movie? p2s4p

There was confusion on October 1, 2024 when Day-Lewis was spotted filming a scene opposite Sean Bean in Manchester, London. The veteran actor was sporting a bushy white mustache and riding a motorcycle.

It was first theorized that the actor was merely filming a cameo role in a film centered around other actors. Within hours, though, the true story had come to light: Daniel Day-Lewis was officially coming out of retirement and will play a lead role in the film Anemone.

The plot details remain unclear, but The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Daniel Day-Lewis co-wrote the Anemone script alongside his son (and the film’s director), Ronan Day-Lewis. The theme of the film will be about familial dynamics, particularly those between sons and fathers (which is obviously fitting).

Daniel Day-Lewis has not issued a statement on his return, but Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski confirmed that the studio is eager to promote the actor’s highly-anticipated comeback. “They have written a truly exceptional script,” he wrote. “And we look forward to bringing their shared vision to audiences.”

Why did Daniel Day-Lewis retire? 4s6l58

Daniel Day-Lewis has attempted to retire from the screen multiple times. He took a six-year break from acting after the release of the boxing drama The Boxer in 1997. The New York Times reported that the actor moved to Florence, and spent time working as an apprentice for shoemaker Stefano Bremer.

Martin Scorsese, who had previously directed Day-Lewis in 1993’s The Age of Innocence, coerced him to come out of “semi-retirement” for 2002’s Gangs of New York. The film earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Day-Lewis’ third for Best Actor. He attempted retirement a second time, shortly before the release of the aforementioned Phantom Thread.

Day-Lewis even issued a statement, noting how grateful he was to his former collaborators. He was reticent, however, when it came to giving a reason for his retirement. “This is a private decision,” the statement read. “Neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”

Day-Lewis’ former collaborators, Jim Sheridan and Paul Thomas Anderson, both voiced hope that the actor would change his mind and eventually come back to the big screen. Sheridan, in particular, told ScreenDaily that Daniel Day-Lewis had so much more to give the world. Fortunately, for these directors and the film world as a whole, their hope has been rewarded.

New Marvel characters are being introduced with each fresh entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there are only so many larger-than-life villains left to bring into the fold. One of these villains has already been teased, or at least hinted at, and fans are convinced that he’ll be popping up in an MCU project any day now. That villain is the master demon of Hell, Mephisto.

In the comic books, Mephisto has encountered and exploited many a hero by making deals with them, like infamously getting Peter Parker to wish away his marriage with Mary Jane Watson to save the life of his Aunt May, or making the pact with Johnny Blaze that led to him becoming Ghost Rider. If Mephisto were to the MCU, there are plenty of choices for who could play him. Given the hype around the series Agatha All Along, many Marvel fans believe this could be where Mephisto makes his first official appearance. If that does indeed happen, here are our top 12 choices for who should play the fiery foe.

12. George Clooney 406m6g

Look, Mephisto is someone who can get people to sign on the dotted line, right? Then he’ll need to be played by someone with charisma, and who’s more charismatic than George Clooney? Clooney has not touched a superhero role since Batman and Robin (or The Flash, if that counts), wherein he infamously played the Dark Knight before fleeing the hero scene entirely. If you can’t recall where else you’ve seen Clooney before, I have questions, as he’s the star of major titles like The Ides of March, Up in the Air, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and ER. Now in his silver fox era, Clooney could easily switch sides and play a villainous role more akin to the morally gray characters he usually plays, like Danny in the Ocean’s 11 franchise.

11. Sean Penn 6u4171

Even though Sean Penn is not necessarily known for playing bad guys, he has an aura that would make him perfect for Mephisto. The Milk actor is one of a few actors on this list who is quite selective of the roles he picks, and like many other Hollywood stars, there’s a chance he might not want to go down the Marvel path. The one thing that might work in his favor is that he recently starred in a miniseries called Gaslit. If Penn is willing to act on a TV series (something many actors avoided like the plague in a pre-streaming world), perhaps he’s willing to play in the Marvel sandbox under the right circumstances ⏤ Mephisto circumstances. (Insert devilish grin here.)

10. Daniel Day-Lewis 2d402c

Regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, Daniel Day-Lewis would be a perfect Mephisto, although in all fairness, there aren’t many characters he wouldn’t be suited for. You know him from Gangs of New York, Lincoln, and There Will Be Blood, but the legendary actor retired after starring in Phantom Thread, making the chances of him coming out of retirement for a Marvel role quite low (unless he needs a new house or something). Day-Lewis is also perhaps the most famous method actor alive, so we’d hate to see him go to hell and back just to play Mephisto, but hey! It would be worth it, at least on our end.

9. Wes Bentley 64291k

Wes Bentley might be one of the more intriguing choices on this list, as he’s perhaps the least well-known. You most likely recognize him from Yellowstone, but he’s also made notable appearances in American Beauty, The Hunger Games, and Interstellar. Like a couple of the other actors on this list, he would nail the devilish look of Mephisto’s character, as evidenced by his Hunger Games character Seneca Crane. Curiously, Bentley has already appeared in the Marvel Universe, just not in the MCU. He played Blackheart in 2007’s Ghost Rider, the main villain in the movie and the son of Mephisto (as played by Peter Fonda). Thus, a contemporary Mephisto casting would be the perfect throwback, even if just for the satisfyingly full-circle multiversal cameo moment it would create.

8. Sacha Baron Cohen 6r2a4e

Sacha Baron Cohen might be the most interesting choice for Mephisto on this list, because there’s a chance he’s already been cast. You likely know the actor from the zany characters he’s played in the past ⏤ Borat, Ali G, Bruno ⏤ and while he’s mostly known for his comedic roles, it takes serious acting chops to expertly execute comedy. Cohen has also proven himself in more serious projects, including Sweeney Todd and his Oscar-nominated turn in The Trial of the Chicago 7, and his ability to juggle the two genres makes him perfect for a Marvel villain. It was previously rumored that Cohen might be playing a role in the Ironheart series, so whether he appears in Agatha or Ironheart, you won’t hear us objecting ⏤ especially if the role he ultimately plays comes complete with a lot of red and spiky black hair.

7. Al Pacino 4q272y

This choice might be a tad older than what Marvel Studios is looking for, but you can’t deny that Al Pacino would be an excellent Mephisto. You likely know the Oscar-winning actor from his roles in The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, and Scent of a Woman, and we already know he can pull off a devilish character following his turn in The Devil’s Advocate to see that. Again, Marvel is probably looking for somebody a bit younger to play the role in more than one project, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have the demon change his appearance (you know, like Marvel could have done with Kang) and get at least one Pacino version of the character. Just like being killed by your cat, it’s unlikely, but not impossible.

6. Bryan Cranston 6a51s

You know who would make a terrific Mephisto? Walter White himself, Bryan Cranston. If you don’t know him from Breaking Bad, you might recognize him from Malcolm in the Middle, Argo, or his newest series, Your Honor. If we’ve learned anything from Cranston’s performance as White, it’s that he has range ⏤ range enough to go from playing a relatively normal person to a villain at the drop of a hat. It does seem weird that neither Marvel nor DC has tapped the actor for a role in either superhero franchise, at least that we know about, but if Marvel gets to him first, we’ve got our money on him playing a meanie. Cranston would bring customary depth to Mephisto, which is why we wouldn’t be mad if he stuck around for several MCU appearances.

5. Denzel Washington 185se

Known for his roles in Fences, The Equalizer, Glory, American Gangster, and Malcolm X, Denzel Washington would make an unprecedented Mephisto. He might not be the most conventional choice for the role, as he doesn’t resemble the comic book version of the character, but if you simplify Mephisto down to his actions and nature, Washington would be more than able to execute. Like Penn, however, he’s an actor whose prestige might stop him from snagging a role in a superhero film, or he might not have been offered the right opportunity. Either way, Mephisto would be the perfect character for Washington to portray, as it would allow him to chew on some scenery and inhabit one of the best villains the MCU has to offer.

4. Tom Hardy w333j

Tom Hardy is best known for his roles in The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Venom. He’s proven himself to be a versatile actor with performances that often sizzle with a raw, visceral energy. Given how iconic his version of Bane became (who can forget that voice?), his portrayal of Mephisto would inevitably be as charismatic as it would be terrifying. Hardy’s chameleonic ability as an actor (how charming was he in Inception?) would allow him to explore the many layers of Mephisto’s character, from his cunning manipulations to his underlying malevolence. Whether he’s delivering sly, devilish quips or unleashing his full wrath, Hardy could easily become one of the most memorable faces to battle the Avengers, especially after playing the lovable Eddie Brock for six years.

3. Joaquin Phoenix 671n31

The people’s Joker is about to make an epic on-screen return in the form of Joker: Folie à Deux, but that doesn’t mean Joaquin Phoenix is limited only to DC villainy. He did such a captivating job bringing Arthur Fleck to life that he won a freaking Oscar for his performance, and that kind of gravitas should not be confined to only one superheroic universe. Sure, it would likely cost Marvel a pretty penny, but Phoenix would be a natural fit for the MCU’s Mephisto. You already know he’d bring a unique take to the table ⏤ so unique, in fact, that it has the potential to blow previous villainous appearances like Josh Brolin’s Thanos and Cate Blanchett’s Hela out of the water. Whether or not Phoenix would be willing to step into another big bad’s shoes is another story, but if he did decide to embrace Mephisto, it would truly be our gain.

2. Javier Bardem 6r3h5u

Oh, Javier. That trident-wielding, eat-pray-loving, No Country For Old Men James Bond baddie. The guy can do it all, and has. He’s an Oscar-winning phenomenon who gives every fiber of his being to every role he plays. Javier Bardem as Mephisto? Sweetie. You know that would be next-level. Bardem is no stranger to villainy, and at this point in his career, it would be refreshing for him to find the deliciously devilish notes in Mephisto as opposed to going directly for the jugular like he tends to with his bad guys. Bardem would be adept at balancing the darkness with the wicked glee, both of which are crucial for embodying this character. He’s already got that sinister gleam in his eye; now he just needs the chance to unleash the devil within.

1. Keanu Reeves 3311m

Ladies and gentlemen, our #1 choice for Mephisto: the one and only Keanu Reeves. He’s no stranger to brooding rabble-ros, but as time has shown us, we tend to see playing the hero. How refreshing would it be to see him swoop in and wreak utter havoc in the MCU? In this character’s shoes, he would have the opportunity to throw the Neo and John Wick rulebooks out the window and start a fresh era as the last guy you’d want to meet in a dark alley. Now that Jonathan Majors is officially done as Kang, it’s time for someone else to step up as the multi-project big bad before Robert Downey Jr. makes his grand reappearance and dominates the MCU all over again. Reeves is that person, and he has the star (and staying) power to dominate at least a few series and films before Downey’s Doom takes the mantle (or partners up with him so they can take over the universe together ⏤ could you imagine?). Whoever becomes Mephisto, any one of these 12 actors would make excellent choices. Now we just need Marvel to knock it off with the breadcrumbs and commit to bringing this demon to the screen already.

These days, they say that life begins at fifty – and reaching the half-century milestone certainly hasn’t dulled the edge of these ten actors. Check out these seasoned thespians who have aged like a fine wine.

How is it that some actors just seem to get better(and hotter) with age? These 10 actors prove that age is just a state of mind and there is still plenty of fun and success to be had, far after the middle age mile marker. So us as we peruse the list of over 50 actors who are still making movie magic not to mention some who are still making us swoon.

10. Matthew McConaughey-54 6u6m1b

Matthew McConaughey blessed us with his first on-screen appearance all the way back in 1993 at the age of 23. His breakout role as Wooderson on Dazed and Confused captured the attention of audiences and producers alike, and pretty soon it seemed like he was everywhere. From an Oscar-winning performance in 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club to an appearance in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi spectacular Interstellar (2014), and in Civil War drama Free State of Jones (2014), he gave three towering performances that proved McConaughey’s substantial range and his longevity.

He is now 54 and was recently in the 2019 hit The Gentlemen and 2020’s Disclosure, proving that he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon–oh and he’s still pretty easy on the eyes too.

9. Hugh Jackman-55 671u2q

Everyone’s favorite Marvel half man half wolverine is none other than Mr. Hugh Jackman. Yet his role as the beloved(and often shirtless) Wolverine in the X-Men franchise is not his only acting acclaim. He has also been in such Hollywood hits as Deception (2008), Les Miserables (2012), and Prisoners (2013). Recently he starred in the 2022 tearjerker The Son, once again showing he is more than just a sexy set of fangs.

Yes although he is currently 55 years old, this actor is not looking long in the teeth. His healthy diet and strict workout routine ensure not only do his acting accreditations stay intact but so do his six-pack abs. It’s possible that 55 is just the jumping-off point for this talented Australian native, as it looks like he has many more years of success to come.

8. Brad Pitt-60 4j3857

Let’s be real — is there anything Brad Pitt hasn’t been in? We think the list of movies or types of roles he hasn’t played is probably far shorter than all the things he has been in. Yet just for reference sake or in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few decades, a few of his most well-known roles include the films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Moneyball (2003), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Twelve, and Thirteen, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and the list goes on and on. He began his acting career all the way back in the 80s and hasn’t taken a break yet, and even better, doesn’t seem like he’s planning to.

His recent appearances include the 2022 films Babylon, Bullet Train, and The Lost City — that’s right, three movies in one year. How is that for still going strong? He is currently 60 years old and seems somehow to still be in his prime. We just want to know what exactly is in those genes and how we can get ahold of whatever elixir of youth he uses.

7. Johnny Depp-60 6jt56

Johnny Depp, like, Brad Pitt has been in more movies than most people can count. His career began all the way back in 1984 with Nightmare on Elm Street, when he was only 23 years old. He also doesn’t seem to ever have taken a break. Although there was a small hiatus during his well-publicized and highly dramatic trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard. Otherwise, Depp has been consistently churning out movies almost yearly ever since. He has been in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1999), Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), Rum Diary (2011), Rango (2011), 21 Jump Street (2012), and so many more.

Now at the age of 60, he is still going strong with the recent release of the 2023 hit Jeanne Barry and 2020’s Minimata. Despite his teeth looking a little worse for the wear these days, overall he is still the handsome, devil-may-care rebel image of his youth.

7. Ralph Fiennes-61 3jv5y

Ralph Fiennes has a unique talent for playing both the hero and the villain with equal merit. He seems to enjoy switching back and forth between the roles showing off his acting prowess and broad range. We have seen him as the savior in The Constant Gardener (2005) and the villain in both Schindler’s List (1993) and the Harry Potter (2001) Franchise. No matter what role he plays, this British heartthrob brings the heat and the intensity.

He began his career in the early 1990s with hits such as Strange Days (1995), Wuthering Heights (1992), and The End of An Affair (1999). Now at 61, he is recognized for his recent roles in The Forgiven (2021), The Menu (2022), and The Rat Catcher (2023). His acting, his accent, and his regal bearing have only gotten better with time, and we can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

6. James Earl Jones-93 1b2o3w

While the Darth Vader voice itself may be now retired the man behind it, James Earl Jones is Hollywood royalty. He is one of the very few actors to get the acting “Grand Slam” of an EGOT, or Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony. It’s no surprise when one considers his amazing pedigree, with knockout performances in The Great White Hope (1970), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), and countless others.

Now in his ninth decade at the age of 93, Jones may have bowed out of Star Wars, but otherwise shows no signs of slowing down. Most recently he has reprised his role in Eddie Murphy’s favorite Coming to America (1988) in the 2021 sequel and of course, his well-known vocal performance of Mufasa lives on in the 2019 live-action version. His voice is one of the most recognized in Hollywood and his acting accolades are the stuff of legend. Yes, 50 was really just his starting gate, and even 90 wasn’t his finish line.

5. Anthony Hopkins 36eq

To many, Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins will forever be Hannibal Lecter, the deranged serial murderer with very particular tastes in cuisine who played a game of psychological cat-and-mouse with Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) in Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs (1990).

Yet Hopkins’ work is far more extensive as seen in his role of the repressed butler opposite his would-be love interest Emma Thompson in The Remains of the Day (1993.) Or his brilliant portrayal of Richard Nixon in Oliver Stone’s 1995 biopic Nixon. Even now at the age of 86, he is still giving memorable performances such as his 2021 Academy Award-winning role of a man succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease in The Father.

4. Denzel Washington-69 5k6u3b

With ten Oscar nominations including two wins, Denzel Washington’s credentials are impressive. Those wishing to take a closer look at the actor’s best performances will be hard-pressed to choose between dozens of great turns: as a determined Civil War soldier in Glory (1989), as Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s 1992 biopic, or as an alcoholic airline pilot in Flight (2012). Few Hollywood actors have been so consistently on top of their game for so long. Washington began his career in the 1980s and has been churning out hits ever since.

Now at the age of 69, he just keeps the acting acclaims coming with his appearance in Equalizer’s 2 and 3 and Gladiator 2(2024). With his roles in high-action films and franchises, it is safe to say he is still in prime shape and we are willing to bet there will be even more films and awards under his belt in the years to come.

3. Jeff Bridges-72 o145

Rowdy, gruff, and hard-edged pretty much sums up Jeff Bridge’s rebel with a cause, salt-of-the-earth appeal. In fact, he seems to finally have aged into his demeanor, he’s always seemed a grumpy old man at heart. In fact, as time goes on, his voice gets gruffer, his advice gets harder and his roles get even more exciting. He’s won several awards over the course of his decades-long career including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG award.

His most memorable roles include Crazy Heart(2009), The Big Lebowski(1998), True Grit(2010), The Giver(2014), and Hell or High Water(2016.) His recent role in the series The Old Man(2022), at the age of 72 seems to clench the concept that there is no end in sight for his achievements.

2. Tom Hanks-67 6v1r3y

The two-time Academy Award winner may have begun in comedy, but by the mid-1990s he was already showing remarkable range. His work playing a gay lawyer with AIDS who sued his employers for discrimination in Philadelphia (1993) bagged him his first Oscar with more awards on the way. His roles such as astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 (1995), a World War II U.S. Army captain in Saving Private Ryan (1998), and a marooned plane crash survivor in Cast Away (2000) further impressed critics. More recent roles in the much-underrated sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas (2012) and the Western News of the World (2020) only underscored his versatility as Hanks progresses to being one of Hollywood’s most revered elder statesmen.

He is currently 67, and not only recently starred in the film A Man Called Otto(2022) but also released a new novel The Making of Another Major Motion Picture. It certainly seems Hanks is in the prime of his life as not only has he mastered his acting craft, but he is now moving on to literature!

1. George Clooney-62 1nm6m

George Clooney is in his 60’s but us in saying–he does not look it. Is it possible he looks better now than he did in his 30s? While opinions on his physical attributes may be subjective, something that is not is his ongoing acting success. He first won hearts and turned heads in his role on the hit series ER in the early 90’s but it was soon apparent, that he had a lot more to offer than just good looks. Four Golden Globes and two Academy Awards later, O Brother Where Art Thou (2000), Oceans Eleven (2001), Twelve and Thirteen, The Ides of March (2011), and The American (2010) are but a few of his best-known roles.

Now at the age of 62, he was recently in Ticket To Paradise(2022) and The Boys in The Boat (2023) with rumors of several more big hits on the way. Yes, there is no arguing that George Clooney is still just as much of an acting heavy hitter and heartthrob as he was in his early ER days and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Hollywood is notorious for having an age cutoff, claiming that actors and actresses are past their prime at certain ages. Well, we don’t know who set those rules in Hollywood but these 10 50+ actors are breaking it in style. So cheers to these Hollywood gems that are not only breaking the barriers but rewriting the narrative altogether.

The most important job in the world has long been the subject of fascination for film-makers, and Hollywood has produced more than its fair share of portrayals of POTUSes who became famous for a host of reasons, good and bad. Here are ten of the very best.

10. Bull Murray (Franklin D. Roosevelt) 2ac5z

Hyde Park on Hudson is a 2012 comedy-drama starring Murray as FDR, with Laura Linney as Margaret “Daisy” Suckley, who visits the President during a period of ill health in 1939. Both Murray and Linney acquit themselves well, the former garnering a Golden Globe nomination, but the film is noticeably lightweight, and failed to trouble the critics.

9. Kevin Spacey (Richard Nixon) a3g3w

The 2016 comedy-drama Elvis & Nixon never quite coheres, but has its moments, as first Nixon’s White House confreres and Presley’s hangers-on each try and work out ways of making the most out of one of the most peculiar meetings in American post-war politics. Spacey brings out the pragmatist in Nixon, while Michael Shannon gives a great performance as an Elvis whose discontent with the counterculture chimes with the President.

8. Bruce Greenwood (John F. Kennedy) 4q496g

One of Kevin Costner’s lesser-known movies, the 2000 drama Thirteen Days is a fine film, telling the story of the White House’s response to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Costner gives a nuanced performance as a presidential secretary, and Steven Culp captures Bobby Kennedy’s verve and ion excellently, but the buck stops with Bruce Greenwood’s matchless JFK, who has to make the big calls in a political crisis where the stakes were never higher.

7. Josh Brolin (George W. Bush) 2l5v1h

Oliver Stone’s 2008 drama was in production even before Bush’s eight-year presidency ended, but Stone was less interested in telling Bush’s story than he was in concentrating on a single aspect of his tenure – the decision to invade Iraq in 2003, which is painted as Bush completing the unfinished business of his father. Josh Brolin impresses with an uncannily accurate portrayal of the famously tongue-tied and bumbling president.

6. Woody Harrelson (Lyndon B. Johnson) 6o4d4v

Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency saw great strides made in civil rights enacted by a President who was a seasoned political operator. Rob Reiner’s 2016 biopic LBJ shies away from the more controversial aspects of Johnson’s presidency, but Woody Harrelson does everything asked of him in the title role. Jennifer Jason Leigh provides excellent as First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson.

5. Nigel Hawthorne (Martin Van Buren) 41573m

Steven Spielberg’s 1997 epic about the Amistad Supreme Court case features not one but two Presidents. Anthony Hopkins bagged a deserved Academy Award nomination as ex-President John Quincy Adams who defends the Amistad Africans, but Hawthorne is equally compelling as Martin Van Buren, the sitting President who, in the face of growing disquiet among pro-slavery factions in Congress, finds himself hopelessly out of his depth.

4. Gary Sinise (Harry S. Truman) y5u49

Hot on the heels of his impressive work on Apollo 13, Sinise was tapped to play Harry S. Truman in this 1995 television film biopic. While the treatment is by-the-numbers, Sinise portrays the President’s no-nonsense demeanor irably, and received a Primetime Emmy nomination for the role.

3. Anthony Hopkins (Richard Nixon) 4lgm

The Welsh actor was far from Oliver Stone’s first choice to play Richard Nixon in the director’s 1995 biopic, but Hopkins’ take on the infamous President is required viewing, veering from light-hearted to sinister in the space of a single scene. The performance garnered Anthony Hopkins his third Academy Award nomination.

2. Frank Langella (Richard Nixon) 4n1r3h

Where Hopkins aimed to accentuate Nixon’s misanthropic tendencies, in Ron Howard’s 2008 drama Frost/Nixon, Frank Langella took a different tack, emphasizing Nixon’s avuncular nature in his attempt to turn the famous series of post-presidency interviews with British broadcaster David Frost (played here with verve by Michael Sheen) to his advantage. There are some comic notes here and there, but Langella’s performance is overwhelmingly dominated by the despair of a man who felt he was in the right, but knew otherwise.

1. Daniel Day-Lewis (Abraham Lincoln) 5p2965

Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Academy Award for his peerless performance in Steven Spielberg’s 2012 epic. With no film footage or audio recording to work off of, Day-Lewis based his portrayal on surviving written s of the President’s demeanor, and, as was his habit, remained in character between takes. Every scene is unmissable, but the really impressive scenes are where Lincoln goes toe to toe with political opponents, such as the Confederacy’s vice-president Alexander Stephens (played excellently by Jackie Early Haley). Day-Lewis exudes natural and legal authority as he argues for an end to the war.

The two leading men of HBO’s smash-hit dark comedy Succession, Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox, have been keeping fans plenty entertained to make the time between seasons three and four fly by. It seems like every time Cox speaks to the press recently, the topic has been method acting, and his latest target, after moving on from co-star Strong, is the acclaimed actor and method master Daniel Day-Lewis.

Cox has been vocal in the past about his dislike for what he calls a very “American” way of approaching acting. Officially known as The Method, this technique was developed by Lee Strasberg, founder of the renowned Actors Studio, and teacher of such thespian notables as Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro. Stereotypically, it entails living as your character outside of your time on camera and even outside your time on set, which can be a nuisance to those around you.

Cox believes Day-Lewis, who is actually British, is responsible for Strong’s intense method acting. Strong idolizes Day-Lewis, and has taken his time as his assistant on the set of The Ballad of Jack and Rose — a film for which the Oscar-winning actor starved himself in order to look the part of a hippie suffering from heart disease — as inspiration throughout his career.

“Jeremy was Dan Day-Lewis’ assistant. So he’s learned all that stuff from Dan,” the Succession patriarch told Variety, adding that the reason Day-Lewis retired from the job so young was because that approach is unsustainable. “You’ve retired just at the point when actually the roles get better!’,” Cox remarked.

Cox has expressed concern for how seriously Strong, his on-screen son, takes his character, to the point of not being able to separate who he is personally from Kendall Roy. While he recognizes that his cast mate is indeed a brilliant actor, he’s called the whole shtick “f-cking annoying,” and “exhausting,” warning Strong against the toll it’ll take in the long run.

“I worry about what it does to him, because if you can’t separate yourself — because you’re dealing with all of this material every day. You can’t live in it. Eventually, you get worn out,” Cox told Seth Meyers.

Strong has responded to all this, saying Cox has “earned the right to say whatever the f-ck he wants,” but denying that Kendall’s pain is his pain too.

Although most of his comments have been directed at Strong due to their proximity working together on Succession for the past six years, it’s not personal for Cox, who clearly hates method acting regardless of who it’s coming from, even if it’s Daniel Day-Lewis. “It’s really a cultural clash. I don’t put up with all that American sh-t. I’m sorry. All that sort of ‘I think, therefore I feel.’ Just do the job. Don’t identify,” he told Variety.

The fourth and final season of Succession premieres Friday, March 24.

Decorated filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is on the verge of a new collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis, the award-winning duo that fired There Will Be Blood to critical success almost a decade ago. Variety reveals that the pair are primed to swap the sun-kissed plains of Little Boston for the catwalk, with Anderson’s latest set to unfold against the New York fashion industry of the 1950s. Without a title to call its own, it’s still early days on the project, though Variety notes that the three-time Oscar winner has been attached to the period drama for some time, and it’s only now that Anderson has taken an interest in the film that it’s begun to garner some momentum. Currently whipping the script into shape, Anderson is reportedly casting the net for “young actresses of Eastern European descent” as the auteur begins to round out the ensemble cast. Megan Ellison, meanwhile, will produce through her Annapurna Pictures banner, which also lent to PTA across both The Master and Inherent Vice. At the core, though, it’s really the reunion between Day-Lewis and Anderson that piques our curiosity. With There Will Be Blood, the actor’s magnetic turn as Daniel Plainview bagged him an Oscar for Best Actor – the Western also clinched Best Cinematography that year – and it’ll be fascinating to see how Anderson peels back the layers of the fashion world’s darker side in next project.

Leonardo DiCaprio is apparently much more than a pretty face and an accomplished actor – he’s also really good at persuading other movie stars to work with Steven Spielberg, not that anybody would turn down such an offer… would they? Well, not according to the filmmaker himself, who cites Leonardo DiCaprio as the reason why Daniel-Day Lewis signed on to star as Abraham Lincoln in Spielberg’s biopic, Lincoln, after he originally refused to play the part.

Here’s what Spielberg had to say on the matter in a snippet of conversation which also confirms our hunches that celebrities get together all the time to just eat with one another because they can:

“Leo DiCaprio was at my house for dinner one night. It was just myself, my wife (Kate Capshaw) and Leo. And he says, ‘Hey, what’s going on with your Lincoln project">The Guardian

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Considering he spent the weekend adding $85 million to an international box office haul worth over $400 million, and that his latest adventure did so after a daring escape from the financial ruins of MGM’s bankruptcy, it’s pretty great to be James Bond right now. Thanks to the inspired choice of Sam Mendes as director, a deliciously menacing turn by Javier Bardem, and a uniquely introspective take on the character from A-list scribe John Logan, Skyfall is already making a name for itself as one of the best Bond films of all time. With both Daniel Craig and John Logan already onboard for at least two more 007 outings, the immediate future is clear, but with the franchise having just turned 50, rest assured, plans are already being made for what Bond will look like many years from now. Seeing as the character is the franchise, the only real question is who will be taking up the well-tailored mantle next. Craig’s made it clear that he wants out once his contract is up, but who could possibly follow in his icon-redefining footsteps? After five films with James Blonde, the field of potential replacements is broader than ever, so dark-haired and dapper aren’t the only qualifications anymore. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of six leading men we’d like to see replace Daniel Craig as cinema’s greatest spy. Continue onto the next page to see our picks for the next James Bond…

President Abraham Lincoln is, for obvious reasons, one of the toughest historical figures to get right on film. The breadth and impact of his accomplishments is a deep and multifaceted conversation that cannot be taken lightly, and his legendary personality, image, and speaking style are so deeply ingrained, through a variety of interpretations, that defining him in truly revelatory ways is destined to be an uphill battle. Even with Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis attached to the project, a dream team that would excite me no matter what the subject matter, I walked into Lincoln with minor trepidations, wondering whether any creative force, even this one, could craft a film worthy of the President’s legacy. I am overjoyed to report, then, that Spielberg and company have turned in an absolutely spectacular film, one that mines deeply into Lincoln’s psyche and personality, but even deeper into the raw emotions of a broken, bitter, and seemingly unmendable America. This is a film set in the past but made for today, a story of our nation at its best and its worst, and a powerful reminder of how far we have come and how far yet we have still to travel. The film picks up just before Lincoln’s second inauguration, when the President has decided that, with his final election behind him, it is time to do the right thing, politics be damned, and push the 13^th Amendment through Congress. It will not be easy. America is more divided than ever, and though he cannot make people change their beliefs, he can use his unique gifts of oration and insight to work within a damaged system and get the ball of social change rolling. This is Lincoln’s goal, the objective he shall accomplish no matter what, and I think Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner have made an excellent choice centering the entire film around this crucial political battle. The story of how Lincoln and his allies ed the 13^th Amendment defines who the President was better than a point-by-point recreation of his life ever could, for it is the moment where his personality, beliefs, and leadership were tested to their fullest extent. Freeing the slaves once and for all meant bending the rules, breaking political codes, and pushing the power of the Executive as far as any President to date, but Spielberg argues – with good reason, I believe – that momentary betrayals of human institutions are acceptable when the good one fights for stems not only from a higher power, but from the founding principles of the very nation in question. Lincoln was a historically great President because he acknowledged our country’s imperfections, and was willing to sacrifice political points and standing to ensure that we upheld the principles of freedom and equality laid down in our founding documents. This is a lesson we would all do well to , as modern America also stands at a crossroads in extending freedoms and addressing inequities. Spielberg’s Lincoln is a powerful reminder that although doing what is right, regardless of politics, is never the easiest path, history will bear out that a belief in the best of humanity – all of humanity – and a belief in change as a power for good, will always trump the stubborn forces of the past. But as excellent a job as Spielberg and Kushner do at placing Lincoln in a broader historical context, the real triumph lies in how intimately they illustrate Lincoln the man, not Lincoln the legend. This Lincoln is a thoughtfully drawn, multi-dimensional character, one who leads with a quiet grace and a real knack for storytelling. He knows how to read people, can enrapture whole rooms with seemingly mundane anecdotes, has a strong sense of humor, and takes his role as President very seriously. He can be a harsh man, especially to his wife and eldest son, but he appears to love deeply, and is driven by empathy as much as anything else. Daniel Day-Lewis illustrates all this and more in one of the very best performances I have ever seen, a tremendously nuanced, comionate, and most importantly, lived-in piece of performance art. His Lincoln is understandably weary, having worn the pressure of a splintering nation on his shoulders for a full Presidential term, and even over the course of the film, Day-Lewis illustrates, in subtle yet detailed glances, how much Lincoln accepts the pain of others as his own. His speaking style, meanwhile, is miraculous, soft and fatherly yet bursting with power and precision; whenever he speaks, one can hear a pin drop as the audience, like other characters on screen, is drawn into his mesmerizing orbit. It is as if President Lincoln’s spirit has taken over Day-Lewis’ body, speaking to us directly from the annals of history; he is as captivating, enthralling, and insightful as we could ever hope him to be. And while Spielberg and Day-Lewis clearly view Lincoln as a hero worthy of celebration, they are not, by and large, interested in deifying him. This Lincoln is a man, susceptible to our own flaws and failures, but successful for the courage and strength of character that allows him to overcome imperfection. Day-Lewis’ work is the rare historical performance that feels complete, for he is not merely reenacting history, but finding the humanity made dormant by a century-and-a-half of legend building. The crazy part is that, as remarkable as Day-Lewis may be, his is only one great performance in a veritable cornucopia of acting talent. Wonderful, top-notch character actors and screen veterans appear every few minutes, including David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lee Pace, Jackie Earle-Haley, Walton Goggins, John Hawkes, James Spader, Jared Harris, Hal Holbrook, and more, all of them doing outstanding work. Of special note are Tommy Lee Jones as radical abolitionist congressman Thaddeus Stevens – he lends as much empathy and humanity to Stevens as Day-Lewis does to Lincoln – and Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln, intense, ionate, and compelling in a very well-written part. Spielberg employs a largely stage-driven style, defined by methodical pacing, dialogue-driven sequences, quiet editing and music (John Williams’ surprisingly subtle score is exquisite), and a lack of overt visual flair. The latter is one area where the film could be improved. An understated visual style is understandable, but Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography can border on uninteresting, which is not the goal. That one complaint aside, Spielberg is wise to step out of the way as aesthetic craftsman – though makeup, costuming, and set design are all awe-inspiring – and instead guide the actors towards greatness; writing and performance are the key pieces here, and Spielberg allows both to flourish at every possible turn. I love this movie. I found myself glued to the screen from start to finish, lost in the world created and story told, not just because I am fascinated by history in the first place, but because I believe the characters the film evokes and messages the narrative has to offer are as relevant now as ever before. We stand on the shores of history today, just as President Lincoln and his allies did so long ago, and it is positively life affirming to be so powerfully reminded that those shores can, indeed, be transcended in the most meaningful of ways. Lincoln is one of the absolute best films of 2012. Sorry, this video is currently unavailable.

“Slavery, sir. It’s done.” Those are the defining words uttered by Daniel Day-Lewis‘s Abraham Lincoln in the final trailer for Steven Spielberg‘s Lincoln, which looks to be getting even more epic with every glimpse of footage we see. This one also happens to be kind of emotional, with John Williams’ stirring score giving the trailer a warming, patriotic feel. If you try really hard, you might be able to make yourself cry. Go on. We’ll wait for you. There’s also a better glimpse of Tommy Lee Jones‘ character, whose rallying against those nasty slavery-lovers looks to be both brilliantly-acted and kind of badass (in a 19th century sense, of course). The film is set to focus on the great President’s noble attempts to get slavery abolished within the United States, much to the annoyance of those citizens who completely disagree with his decision (those are the bad guys). You can view the trailer below. It’s expensive-looking, that’s for sure, and most likely a contender for Best Picture at next year’s Oscars, hm? Lincoln hits limited theaters on November 9th and nationwide on November 16th. Source: The Film Stage

Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Lincoln, is one of the most anticipated films for the remainder of the year. Not only because it of its cast and director, but also because it is expected to be a major contender come awards season. Though we’ve already seen a trailer, people are still wondering if the film is any good or not but now with the film’s premiere having taken place at the New York Film Festival, we are starting to hear the first reactions. Here’s just a few of the things that people have had to say:

@reverse_shot: LINCOLN: Sophisticated, erudite political procedural from Spielberg and Kushner. Genuinely superb. Steve Zeitchik @ZeitchikLAT Daniel Day-Lewis much more understated and playful than thescenery-chewing trailer suggests. Clayton Davis ‏@AwardsCircuit LINCOLN soars and Spielbergs best in years #NYFF Eugene Hernandez ‏@eug Just saw LINCOLN at #NYFF. Swept up by grand Americana theatricality & strong perfs. 1800s West Wing? A bit. Engrossing political melodrama! Logan Hill ‏@loganhill33 Spielberg’s Lincoln at #NYFF was rock solid monument to Abe, a bounce back from War Horse. Predix: Oscar noms galore. Tommy Lee Jones FTW Matt Patches ‏@misterpatches Spielberg’s Lincoln turns a defining moment in history into a human story. Day-Lewis is dynamic, but it’s a great ensemble piece. #NYFF

As predicted, there is major praise for two-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis‘ portrayal of Lincoln, but there is also major praise for the film itself and the rest of the cast. It’s also interesting to see how someone refers to it as a “bounce back from War Horse.” I enjoyed War Horse, but it wasn’t particularly great. Did it deserve a Best Picture nomination? Probably not. Plus, its chances were pretty much shot once it didn’t get a Best Director nod for Spielberg. Could Lincoln get Spielberg a nod once again, something that hasn’t happened since he directed Munich back in 2005? It’s very possible. As far as a Best Picture nomination goes, it seems quite possible as well given the praise for the film, and if it is indeed a stronger film than Spielberg’s last, its chances seem even better. As usual, we’ll start to get a better consensus when Lincoln screens for critics in the coming weeks. Everyone else will finally get a chance to see the film when it opens limited on November 9th, followed by an expansion on November 16th. (Source: Awards Daily)

We’ve been waiting a long time to see what Steven Spielberg has in store for us with Lincoln, his biopic on the last year of the 16th President’s life. Now, with the release of the hotly anticipated trailer, we finally get a look at what we can expect to see come November. First off, it looks absolutely spectacular. Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski and Spielberg have proven an inseparable partnership ever since Schindler’s List and their work together from there has been consistently stunning. With Lincoln it appears to be no different. There are magnificent, sweeping tableaus which add such grandeur and authenticity to the period sets, even in these brief glimpses. And in more intimate moments, it seems more subdued, painterly and reflective. Then there’s Daniel Day-Lewis. It looks like we’re in for another great transformation from the acclaimed actor. He looks the part and he sounds the part. When you first hear the voice he is completely unrecognisable, with a high pitched (yet accurate) voice that is at first off putting but then utterly compelling and draws you in. Even though we don’t hear much from him throughout the trailer, his presence is dominant all the way through. But the quality of performances doesn’t stop with him. The stupendously starry and talented ing cast including David Strathain, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hal Holbrook, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Oyelowo and Jackie Earle Haley (among others) all have their performances sampled here and all seem to be providing the excellent work we’ve come to expect from them. On the downside, there are some niggling little issues that seem to be coming from Spielberg’s own direction. I have made no secret of the fact that I love Spielberg and I love nearly all his movies, I think he’s a great and sorely underrated filmmaker too often maligned by critics for his sentimentality. I even liked War Horse, but on the evidence of this, it is possible that Spielberg has finally gone too far with Lincoln. It is a trailer that wants to sell you the fact that this will be a highly emotional experience and for a film centered around this historical figure it seems like the appropriate course to take. But to me this looks like it could fall into the trap of being so blindsided by its subject matter that it becomes a complete hagiography. The trailer picks out lines like “no man has ever been loved so much by the people” before cutting to the standard camera-dolly-in-on-person’s-awestruck-face shot set to a rousing John Williams score. This element of Spielberg’s filmmaking is getting to the point of parody now. Lincoln will no doubt be a long film, and hopefully this trailer is misrepresentative of these segments in the film and of the film overall. For one thing, it does seem to have a fairly politicised edge to it. There is talk of Congress and the Constitution, issues that will be discussed and debated about in the election happening in a few months time. With Tony Kushner behind the screenplay, I have faith that this won’t fall into the trap of being a complete wash out, luvvy fest and will have a keen focus on the politics. Even though parts of this trailer just seem like old hat for Spielberg, I remain positive about Lincoln and I absolutely can’t wait to see it. Lincoln hits theatres on November 9th. Check the trailer out below.