Liam Neeson Turned Down a Spielberg Oscar Role 13 Years Ago! Find Out Why

Before Daniel Day-Lewis delivered one of his most lauded performances in Lincoln, Liam Neeson was the initial choice to play the iconic American president. Neeson had spent nearly ten years preparing for this prestigious role before making a surprising decision to drop out of the project.

When Steven Spielberg decided to make a film about Abraham Lincoln’s life, Liam Neeson seemed like an obvious choice. The two had previously worked together on Schindler’s List, a movie that had significantly impacted Neeson’s career.

Captivated by the historical significance of Lincoln, Neeson immersed himself in extensive research for several years. He studied books, archives, and eyewitness accounts to meticulously prepare for his portrayal.

However, as the project evolved, a significant change in the film’s direction occurred with the arrival of screenwriter Tony Kushner. Originally planned as a broad epic covering Lincoln’s entire life, the script now focused on the final months of his presidency and his efforts to pass the 13th Amendment.

This new approach, inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals, convinced Spielberg to focus on a specific moment rather than an entire life.

The Moment Neeson Realized He Was No Longer the Right Fit

It was during a script reading that Liam Neeson realized something wasn’t right. “We started to read, there was an introduction, and then I see ‘Lincoln’ and I had to start speaking, and then a flash of realization. I thought: ‘I’m not supposed to be here. It’s over. I’ve passed my expiration date. I don’t want to play this Lincoln. I can’t be him,’” Neeson recounted in a 2014 GQ interview (shared by Collider).

Neeson felt an immediate disconnect between himself and this new version of the character. Despite encouragement from others, he could no longer see himself in the role. This feeling persisted, and convinced that he could not meet the project’s expectations, he decided to discuss it directly with the director.

He explained, “I read very poorly, in all respects, but afterwards, some approached me and said, ‘Oh, you are meant to play Lincoln.’ I was embarrassed. Later, Steven came over and I told him, ‘Steven, you need to recast now.’ He said, ‘What are you talking about?’ I said, ‘I’m serious. You need to recast.’ So, I went home and that evening, I called [Doris Kearns Goodwin] to chat a bit. Then I called Steven and said, ‘Steven, it’s not for me. I can’t explain it. It’s over. It’s not…’ And he understood. He said, ‘Okay.’ And that was that.”

Spielberg accepted his decision, and the project continued without him.

A Role Ultimately Tailored for Daniel Day-Lewis

Neeson’s departure opened the door for Daniel Day-Lewis. In 2012, the British actor delivered a universally acclaimed performance that earned him an additional Oscar and secured his place in film history.

Looking back, Neeson himself admits that his successor was likely the ideal man for the role. “It’s Abraham Lincoln, damn it. It’s perfect,” he emotionally stated when discussing Daniel Day-Lewis.

Known for his extreme dedication to each of his roles, Day-Lewis spent years preparing for this now-iconic portrayal.

A Journey That Seemed Destined for Lincoln

At that time, everything seemed to indicate that Liam Neeson was destined to play a historical figure of such magnitude.

Having gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List, which earned him an Oscar nomination, Neeson had starred in several historical epics like Rob Roy and Michael Collins. His imposing stature, natural authority, and screen presence perfectly matched the image often associated with Abraham Lincoln. His height of 6’4″ even mirrored the lean silhouette of the American president.

However, instead of continuing on this path, Neeson gradually reinvented his career.

From Historical Figure to Action Movie Star

A few years after leaving Lincoln, Neeson experienced a career resurgence in Hollywood, becoming a staple of action cinema.

Under directors like Jaume Collet-Serra, he gradually moved away from major historical roles to play more physical characters, often driven by vengeance.

This transformation allowed him to reach a new audience and extend his career in unexpected ways. To this day, he continues to explore new genres, having recently taken on the lead role of Frank Drebin Jr. in the remake of the popular comedy The Naked Gun.

The Lincoln Dream Not Completely Abandoned

Despite stepping away from Spielberg’s film, Liam Neeson maintains a lasting fascination with Abraham Lincoln and doesn’t rule out portraying the president in another project someday.

“I’d still love to do the story of Lincoln,” he admitted. “I think [Lincoln, the film] shows that, yes, but I think I’d still like to do a traditional biography of Lincoln.”

Although it’s now hard to imagine anyone other than Daniel Day-Lewis in Spielberg’s film, Neeson remains convinced that there is still another way to tell the life story of the American president. A more classic version, covering his entire journey, which aligns more closely with the vision he had of the character when he first embarked on this venture several years ago.

Lincoln is now available on VOD. As for Liam Neeson, you can find him in The Naked Gun streaming on HBO Max.