Spielberg's Lincoln Coming After Election, Adds Haley

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgThe Hollywood Reporter [1] quotes Steven Spielberg from the Orlando Sentinel that he doesn't want his upcoming film LINCOLN to become "political fodder." Therefore, he is purposely keeping it from release until after the 2012 election.

Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's TEAM OF RIVALS, the film follows Lincoln's efforts to end slavery and the Civil War. Daniel Day-Lewis will play Lincoln and Sally Field, his wife Mary Todd. The cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

In other LINCOLN casting news, Deadline.com [2] reports that Jackie Earle Haley has joined the cast as Confederate vice president Alexander Stephens.

Production will start in Virginia this fall.