The announcement that Day-Lewis will play the 16th President of the US brings together the Oscar winning actor and director for the first time in their careers.

DreamWorks Studios co-chairman and CEO Steven Spielberg will direct the project and made the announcement with his co-chairman and CEO Stacey Snider this morning [19].

Filming is expected to begin in autumn 2011 for release in the fourth quarter of 2012 through Disney’s Touchstone distribution label.

It is anticipated that the film will focus on the political collision of Lincoln and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition and the end of the Civil War.

Award winning writer Tony Kushner adapted the screenplay from Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team Of Rivals. Spielberg is producing with Kathleen Kennedy.

“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,” Spielberg said. “I am grateful and inspired that our paths will finally cross with Lincoln.”

“Throughout his career, he has been exceptionally selective in his choice of material, which makes us feel even more fortunate that he has chosen to join with us for Lincoln,” Snider said.