After a seven-year hiatus, Daniel Day-Lewis is stepping out of retirement and returning to the screen. He will star in the upcoming film “Anemone,” produced by Focus Features and Plan B, marking the directorial debut of his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.
The screenplay for “Anemone” was co-written by Daniel and Ronan Day-Lewis, exploring complex themes of familial connections, particularly the relationships between fathers, sons, and brothers.
This project is Daniel Day-Lewis’ first acting role since his 2017 performance in “Phantom Thread.” Joining him in the cast are Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley, and Safia Oakley-Green.
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski expressed excitement about collaborating with Ronan Day-Lewis on his first feature, with Daniel Day-Lewis as a creative partner.
Kujawski highlighted the strength of the script and the shared vision of the filmmakers, anticipating an impactful experience for audiences with support from Plan B.
“Anemone” brings Daniel Day-Lewis back to Focus Features, which previously distributed “Phantom Thread.” Universal Pictures will handle the film’s international release. The crew includes Ben Fordesman as director of photography, Jane Petrie in charge of costume design, and Chris Oddy overseeing production design.
At 26, Ronan Day-Lewis is a painter preparing for his first international solo exhibition, set to debut in Hong Kong and later travel to New York and Los Angeles.
His father, Daniel, remains the only actor to have won three Academy Awards for Best Actor, with celebrated performances in “Lincoln,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “My Left Foot.” He has also earned nominations for his roles in “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”
Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement from acting in 2017 prior to the release of “Phantom Thread,” though no specific reason was given. His spokesperson shared that the decision was a personal one, and neither the actor nor his representatives planned to elaborate further on the matter.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Daniel Day-Lewis later revealed in an interview with W magazine that he hadn’t intended to quit acting until shortly before filming “Phantom Thread.” He explained that making a public statement helped solidify his decision, preventing him from being drawn back into future projects.
Day-Lewis acknowledged that announcing his retirement was unusual for him but felt compelled to draw a clear boundary. He admitted that, throughout his career, he often spoke about quitting acting, but this time, the urge to step away became an undeniable necessity.
Earlier this year, Daniel Day-Lewis made an appearance at the National Board of Review awards, where he reconnected with his “Gangs of New York” director, Martin Scorsese.
Scorsese fueled speculation about a possible collaboration in the future, expressing hope for working together once again, calling Day-Lewis the best actor he’s worked with.