The two actors Steven Spielberg called “life-changing” to direct
As one of the most prominent filmmakers in the world of cinema, almost every actor in the world wants to work with Steven Spielberg. Having collaborated with the likes of Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford and Matt Damon, the American auteur’s incredible resumé is filled with star-studded projects that continue to attract attention from fans and critics. That’s exactly why some of the biggest stars in the world are always eager to sign onto a Spielberg production.
While the Jurassic Park director has elicited great performances from countless artists, there are two whose work left a lasting impression on the acclaimed filmmaker. During a conversation with the Irish Examiner, Spielberg opened up about his favourite creative partnerships that completely changed the way he approached his craft. Not only that, they made him appreciate the talent and effort that goes into character work in a new light.
“I have worked with many fine, wonderful actors who all bring different values to their characters,” Spielberg said. “I have learned how they arrive at those very private and personal moments of consolidation where they are really able to imprint on a character, to deliver the message, convince us they are that person. Everybody has a different technique, and I, quite frankly, don’t care how anybody gets to where they need to go. But I will say that I think Daniel [Day-Lewis] and Tom Hanks are the two actors who I have had life-changing experiences with as a director.”
Having worked with Hanks on multiple beloved projects like Saving Private Ryan and The Terminal, the actor always ranks high on Spielberg’s potential casting lists whenever he’s thinking of a new movie. However, his collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis is more special because Spielberg closely witnessed one of his greatest performances. In fact, it was only because of Day-Lewis that the director agreed to make Lincoln.
In the same interview, the filmmaker revealed that it was Leonardo DiCaprio who acted as an intermediary: “We were having dinner, and I told Leo the whole story with Daniel about how I had tried to do a Lincoln movie, and the next day, Leo called me in the office and said, ‘Take this number down. That’s Daniel Day-Lewis’s cell phone, and he is expecting your call’. And that’s when the train started pulling out of the station.”
Emerging as one of the most widely acclaimed spectacles of that year, Lincoln proved to be a great addition to Spielberg’s filmography and further solidified Day-Lewis’ status as an actor of the highest calibre. Winning the highly coveted ‘Best Actor’ prize once again at the Academy Awards, he gave the biopic everything he had and then some.
Watch the trailer below.
