Daniel Day-Lewis Returns to Acting in Film Directed by His Son

Daniel Day-Lewis is stepping back into the limelight, seven years after his last cinematic endeavor, to star in a film helmed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. Focus Features and Plan B announced the project, titled "Anemone," on Tuesday. This marks Ronan Day-Lewis' debut as a director and will feature his father alongside Sean Bean and Samantha Morton. The script is a collaborative effort between the Day-Lewises.

Earlier in the day, Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean were seen riding a motorbike through the streets of Manchester, England, adding fuel to the anticipation of his return to the silver screen. The 67-year-old actor had previously declared his retirement after working on Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film "Phantom Thread."

“I’ve constantly talked about quitting acting my entire life, but this time, the desire to stop acting took root and evolved into a compulsion,” he revealed to W Magazine in 2017. “It became something I had to follow through with.”

Since then, his public appearances have been scarce. However, in January, he made an unexpected appearance at the National Board of Review Awards to honor Martin Scorsese, who directed him in "Gangs of New York" (2002) and "The Age of Innocence" (1993).

"Anemone," now in production, delves into the intricate dynamics of familial relationships, focusing on fathers, sons, and brothers. Ronan Day-Lewis, 26, is an accomplished painter who has previously showcased his work in New York. His first international solo exhibition opens on Tuesday in Hong Kong.

Peter Kujawski, chair of Focus Features, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the immensely talented visual artist Ronan Day-Lewis on his inaugural feature film, with Daniel Day-Lewis as his creative partner. They have crafted an extraordinary script, and we eagerly anticipate bringing their collective vision to life, in partnership with the team at Plan B.