Liam Neeson’s commanding voice and highly effective presence make him the right actor for critical and demanding roles. Regardless of his spectacular profession trajectory, Neeson may have added another stellar entry to his filmography. Little did anybody know that Neeson was as soon as the front-runner to play Abraham Lincoln in a Steven Spielberg-helmed biopic.
He poured years into making ready for the position, immersing himself within the life and legacy of the sixteenth president. However regardless of all his efforts, he voluntarily stepped away from the undertaking earlier than the cameras even rolled. Proceed scrolling to seek out the explanation behind the choice.
Why Did Liam Neeson Step Down From Lincoln Biopic?
The journey started years earlier than Lincoln hit theaters in 2012. Spielberg, who beforehand labored with Neeson on Schindler’s Listing, approached the actor with the thought of enjoying the titular position. Neeson didn’t take the provide calmly. In his interview with GQ, the actor revealed that for about 4 years, he studied Lincoln extensively—studying biographies, analyzing historic speeches, and diving deep into the person’s psychology. At the moment, the undertaking was envisioned as a conventional cradle-to-grave biopic.
Nevertheless, every little thing shifted when screenwriter Tony Kushner was introduced in and the script was reworked to focus solely on Lincoln’s push for the thirteenth Modification. The extra targeted, political angle was sensible looking back, however it didn’t sit proper with Neeson. After his spouse Natasha Richardson’s tragic dying in 2009, grief additionally weighed closely on him.
What Did Liam Neeson Say About Stepping Down From Lincoln?
Through the interview, Liam Neeson recalled, “We began studying this, and there was an intro, after which I see ‘Lincoln,’ the place I’ve to begin talking, and I simply—a thunderbolt second. I believed, ‘I’m not imagined to be right here. That is gone. I’ve handed my sell-by date. I don’t wish to play this, Lincoln. I can’t be him.’ So the following two and a half, three hours of studying via it… This extraordinary piece of writing, however it had no reference to me in anyway. It was a really unusual feeling, and it was partly grief. I learn very, very poorly by any requirements.”
Whilst others complimented his efficiency, he felt embarrassed, cringing on the reward he didn’t imagine he earned. That night time, he known as Spielberg and dropped out of the undertaking. He shared, “I known as Steven, and I stated, ‘Steven, this isn’t for me. I can’t clarify it. It’s gone. It’s not…’ And he bought it. He stated, ‘Okay.’ And that was it.”
Ultimately, the position went to Daniel Day-Lewis, who went on to win an Oscar for his portrayal. Despite the fact that it’s robust to think about the movie with out Daniel now, Neeson’s portrayal of Lincoln may have introduced an altogether completely different dynamic to the display screen, one thing that audiences won’t ever get to see.
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