Daniel Day-Lewis is to play President Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's new historical biopic.
Friday's (19Nov10) casting announcement comes nine years after Spielberg first revealed he was making a film about the assassinated former U.S. leader.
The movie mogul originally tapped Liam Neeson for the role.
In a statement confirming the casting, Spielberg revealed he has never worked with Oscar winner Day-Lewis.
He says, "Daniel Day-Lewis would have always been counted as one of the greatest of actors, were he from the silent era, the golden age of film or even some time in cinema's distant future. I am grateful and inspired that our paths will finally cross with Lincoln."
The film will be based on revered historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 book Team of Rivals.
The project will reteam Spielberg with his Munich screenwriter Tony Kushner.