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Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement and stars in new film directed by Son

Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement and stars in new film directed by Son

Daniel Day-Lewis, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, is emerging from retirement after a seven-year absence from the screen. He stars in Focus Features and Plan B's upcoming film Anemone, which marks the directorial debut of his son Ronan Day-Lewis.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Ronan Day-Lewis co-wrote the film, which is described as an exploration of the complicated relationships between fathers, sons and brothers and the “dynamics of family bonds.” Daniel Day-Lewis will lead the cast of Anemone, his first acting gig since 2017's Phantom Thread, alongside Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Ronan Day-Lewis on his first feature film with a brilliant visual artist, along with Daniel Day-Lewis as his creative collaborator,” Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement. “They have written a truly exceptional script and we look forward to working with the Plan B team to bring audiences their shared vision.”

“Anemone” reunites Daniel Day-Lewis with Focus Features, the specialty studio behind “Phantom Thread.” For “Anemone,” Ben Fordesman (“Love Lies Bleeding”) will serve as cinematographer, while Jane Petrie (“The Crown”) will serve as costume designer and Chris Oddy (“Zone of Interest”) will serve as production designer.

Ronan Day-Lewis, 26, is a painter whose first international solo exhibition opens in Hong Kong on October 2 before stops in New York City and Los Angeles. His father is the only actor to ever win three Academy Awards for Best Actor. Daniel Day-Lewis was praised for Steven Spielberg's “Lincoln,” Paul Thomas Anderson's “There Will Be Blood” and Jim Sheridan's “My Left Foot.” He also received nominations for “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”

Daniel Day-Lewis announced in 2017 before the release of Phantom Thread that he was quitting acting, but did not give a reason for his retirement. “He is extremely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years,” a spokesperson for the actor said in a statement. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will have any further comment on this matter.”

The actor later reflected on his decision to publicly announce his retirement, telling W Magazine, “Before I filmed ('Phantom Thread'), I didn't know I was going to quit acting,” one of the reasons , why he made a statement on this issue was to hold himself accountable.

“I knew it was out of character to make a statement,” Daniel Day-Lewis said. “But I wanted to draw a line. I didn't want to get sucked into another project again. All my life I've talked about how I should quit acting, and I don't know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me and it became a compulsion. It was something I had to do.”

Daniel Day-Lewis attended the National Board of Review awards ceremony earlier this year and reunited with his “Gangs of New York” director Martin Scorsese, fueling rumors that the actor may back off from a future collaboration between them would.

“We made two films together and it's one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Scorsese said as he accepted the best director award for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” “Maybe there’s time for one more. Perhaps! He’s the best.”

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