Steven Spielberg Tackles Lincoln After Tintin

It looks like the The Trials of Chicago 7 will be put on hold as Spielberg tackles the tale of Lincoln. We get the scoop today from our good friends at comingsoon:

Screen Daily is reporting that director Steven Spielberg will start shooting his long-anticipated biopic about the country’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, in early ‘09 after completing his Tintin movie.

Originally, the Oscar-winning filmmaker had planned on directing The Trials of Chicago 7, but as reported earlier, it’s been delayed to work out script issues, making room for the long-discussed biopic, which Spielberg would like to be released in the the year that would have been Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

Lincoln is a legendary leader that suffered a tragic end, his tale is one of inspiration, and is as good a story as you could hope for, when looking to shoot a biopic. Launching this film the same year as Lincoln’s 200th is a fantastic idea and an excellent tribute to the man.

This film wreaks of Oscar bait; and I would hope for nothing less. When the subject and director are both excellent, you cannot help but set your hopes high.

*** Christina was kind enough to remind me that Liam Neeson is set to star as Abraham Lincoln. He and Steven did good work together in Schindler’ s List, and I think it is safe to expect more of the same this time around. In the event that Liam is sick, I would welcome Malcovich as a replacement.

In an alternate universe I would love to see Christopher Walken as Abraham Lincoln, under the direction of Tim Burton.