Lincoln's List

The 16th president is set to become the subject of a Steven Spielberg film:

Spielberg is said to have begun talks with Liam Neeson to play the president as
he steers the North to victory in the Civil War.

The feature will be based on Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns
Goodwin's biography 'The Uniter: The Genius of Abraham Lincoln'. The plan is to
start production next January, according to trade sources.

The film is supposed to focus on Lincoln's Civil War years and, therefore, I don't expect Spielberg or Neeson to show up here in Springfield for the project.

The Springfield Journal Register has more on the local angle:

Illinois State Historian Tom Schwartz said rumors have been circulating
about a Lincoln movie for years.

"From my understanding of the project, everything has been kept
in a close vest until (Spielberg's) ready to shoot," Schwartz said.

No one has contacted the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency on
behalf of the production, Schwartz said, although people often do not identify
themselves or their affiliation when seeking information.

[snip]

Schwartz also noted that Neeson shares a physical resemblance with Lincoln.
At 6 feet 4 inches, the actor is the same height as Lincoln, who was the tallest
president in history.
A major motion picture about Lincoln is overdue,
Schwartz said.

Previous motion pictures about Lincoln came out during the 1930s and
'40s. After that, films about him moved to the small screen. The last dramatic
portrayal of Lincoln's life was Gore Vidal's "Lincoln," a 1988 television movie
starring Sam Waterston and Mary Tyler Moore, Schwartz said.

If Spielberg follows through with the film, Schwartz foresees public
interest in Lincoln and his historical sites increasing greatly.

Whenever Lincoln is depicted in the mass media, the IHPA receives
increased numbers of calls from people who want to learn more or appraise
memorabilia, he said.
Although Schwartz said documentary and short
filmmakers often approach his office, none have had the popularity or clout in
Hollywood of Spielberg.

"We're always willing to cooperate. It is a public service, and these
films reach a wide audience and let people know about our sites and provide some
historical semblance," he said.

Apparently, Lincoln won't be gay in this movie:

A new book, The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln by sex researcher CA
Tripp, argues Lincoln was primarily homosexual.

But other researchers such as Doris Kearns Goodwin, on whose book
Spielberg's film was to be based, dispute the idea.

Perhaps a musical version staring Sean Hayes can be made later.