A rejection letter is not something you’d imagine one of the world’s most famous director/producers is used to receiving, but when the person sending it is one of the world’s most famous actors the rules might change a little.
On Monday night Steven Spielberg presented Daniel Day Lewis with the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, and in his presentation included one of the most eloquent ‘thanks but no thanks’ messages you’re ever likely to hear.
Day Lewis is hotly tipped for Oscar glory this year for his starring turn in Spielberg’s Lincoln, but the celebrated actor originally turned town the leading role after a meeting with Spielberg that is reported to have taken place a decade ago. His note read:
Dear Steven,
It was a real pleasure just to sit and talk with you. I listened very carefully to what you had to say about this compelling history, and I’ve since read the script and found it in all the detail in which it describe these monumental events and in the compassionate portraits of all the principal characters, both powerful and moving. I can’t account for how at any given moment I feel the need to explore life as opposed to another, but I do know that I can only do this work if I feel almost as if there is no choice; that a subject coincides inexplicably with a very personal need and a very specific moment in time. In this case, as fascinated as I was by Abe, it was the fascination of a grateful spectator who longed to see a story told, rather than that of a participant. That’s how I feel now in spite of myself, and though I can’t be sure that this won’t change, I couldn’t dream of encouraging you to keep it open on a mere possibility. I do hope this makes sense Steven, I’m glad you’re making the film, I wish you the strength for it, and I send both my very best wishes and my sincere gratitude to you for having considered me.
Day Lewis turned down the role, but Spielberg did not give up, instead setting to work on a new screenplay. A second script was also turned down by the actor, but it appeared the third time was indeed the charm, as the star, named this year as ‘The World’s Greatest Actor’ by TIME magazine, finally accepted the role. The picture above shows the pair embracing at Monday’s award ceremony.
Lincoln is due in Irish cinemas on January 25th.
