Why Daniel Day-Lewis Returned to Acting After Years-Long Hiatus
Daniel Day-Lewis’ onscreen comeback wasn’t an overnight decision.
Instead, the three-time Oscar winner—who announced his retirement from acting in 2017—was gradually lured back to his craft while co-writing his new psychological drama Anemone alongside his son Ronan Day-Lewis.
“We began with a seed of an idea and that was to work together on something,” Daniel, 68, exclusively told E! News at the movie’s New York Film Festival premiere in New York City Sept. 28. “Initially, we discovered a shared interest in exploring the idea of brotherhood, and so we began with two brothers in a shed. That was all we had.”
According to Ronan—for whom the project serves as his directorial debut—envisioning his dad in the lead role not only proved helpful during the writing process, but also made the Lincoln star more open to stepping back in front of the camera.
“As the characters started to develop on their own accord and also in relation and in contrast to each other, I think is when Ray started to become more appealing to [him],” the 27-year-old explained. “It was amazing to watch the character grow with him as an actor, as well as a co-writer. It was a really unique process.”
A process that proved to be rewarding for both father and son.
“We both would’ve killed for the chance to have this opportunity to work on something together,” Ronan continued, “and so once we found an idea that we were both really obsessed with, we fell into it.”
John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images
Earlier this month, Daniel—whose last acting role was in the 2017 period drama Phantom Thread—spoke about how the prospect of working with his son made him consider stepping back on set after nearly a decade away.
“I knew Ronan was going to go on to make films, and I was walking away from that,” Daniel said in an interview with Rolling Stone published Sept. 10. “I thought, wouldn’t it be lovely if we could do something together and find a way of maybe containing it, so that it didn’t necessarily have to be something that required all the paraphernalia of a big production.”
And Daniel seemed to be quite pleased with his decision, telling the magazine, “It was, from beginning to end, just pure joy to spend that time together with him.”
Anemone opens in select theaters Oct. 3. In the meantime, keep scrolling to see more stars with their kids…
–Reporting by Nikaline McCarley
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