For a long time, it seemed that Spielberg’s plan to make a biopic of Abraham Lincoln was more a hobby than something he was actually going to do. It’s been in development for years, losing its original Lincoln, Liam Neeson, in the process. However in the last few months the director has finally been moving forward, bringing on Daniel Day Lewis as the ill-fated president, and Sally Field as his wife, while Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hal Holbrook, James Spader, John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, and Joseph Cross have signed on as well. It certainly looks like it’s finally going to happen!
Now another cast member has joined, as Variety reports that David Strathairn will portray William Seward, the Secretary of State in Abraham Lincoln’s administration. He was also an ardent abolitionist and considered a pivotal member of the President’s cabinet. Seward is an interesting figure. Many thought he was actually more likely to become President than Lincoln, but perhaps because of how outspoken he was, he lost the Republican nomination in 1860, allowing Abraham to take the White House. He was also instrumental in the purchase of Alaska from Russia, and on the same night as Lincoln’s assassination, he survived an attempt on his life by another member of the conspiracy to destabilise the government.
Spielberg said this of the casting, “Throughout his career, David Strathairn has consistently delivered performances of strength and character. Thats why I am so pleased that he will portray the Secretary of State, who became such a dominant figure in Lincolns team of rivals cabinet.”
Lincoln will shoot this autumn, from a screenplay by Tony Kushner, which is adapted from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.