Legendary Actor Daniel Day-Lewis Officially Comes Out Of Retirement To Star In Movie Directed By His Son

Seven years after his last movie, the three-time Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis is officially coming out of retirement. When he retired, it seemed like it was the last we’d see of the Gangs of New York star. But not anymore!

He is set to star in a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

Daniel Comes Out Of Retirement

Focus Features and Plan B announced on Tuesday that Daniel, 67, will be starring in Anemone, which will be Ronan’s directorial debut. Daniel co-wrote the film along with his son. The movie will also star Sean Bean and Samantha Morton.

This will come as a welcome surprise to fans of Daniel, who retired from acting after starring in the 2017 Paul Thomas Anderson movie Phantom Thread. He said at the time that “before making [Phantom Thread], I didn’t know I was going to stop acting.” 

“I knew it was uncharacteristic to put out a statement. But I did want to draw a line. I didn’t want to get sucked back into another project,” Daniel told W Magazine in 2017.

“All my life, I’ve mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don’t know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion,” he continued. “It was something I had to do.”

Daniel’s Retirement Was ‘A Private Decision’

Day-Lewis is a well-known method actor, and he takes his preparations so far that one can only imagine the toll it takes on him to make a film.

“He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years,” a spokesperson for Daniel told Variety after his retirement was announced. “This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”

Daniel has rarely been seen in public in the years since then. However, he reemerged back in January when he made a surprise appearance at the National Board of Review Awards to present an award to Martin Scorsese, who directed him in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Gangs of New York (2002).

“We did two films together and it’s one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Scorsese said at the time. “Maybe there’s time for one more. Maybe! He’s the best.”

Related: Martin Scorsese Considering Making Frank Sinatra Biopic Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Anemone

Anemone, which is currently being filmed, is described as exploring “the intricate relationships between fathers, sons and brothers, and the dynamics of familial bonds.”

Ronan, 26, is a painter who has had his work displayed in New York City. On Tuesday, he had his first international solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Daniel shares Ronan with his wife Rebecca Miller, who he’s been married to since 1996.

“We could not be more excited to partner with a brilliant visual artist in Ronan Day-Lewis on his first feature film alongside Daniel Day-Lewis as his creative collaborator,” said Peter Kujawski, chair of Focus Features. “They have written a truly exceptional script, and we look forward to bringing their shared vision to audiences alongside the team at Plan B.”

Related: Harrison Ford ‘Hates’ That Tom Selleck Almost Took One Of His Most Famous Roles

Daniel has won three Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His wins came for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007) and Lincoln (2012). Daniel is widely regarded as one of the most talented actors who is still working today. We’re so glad that he’s come out of retirement, and we can’t wait to see Anemone when it finally comes out!