Sally Field to Star as Mary Todd "Lincoln"

Sally Field to Star as Mary Todd Lincoln

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Joe Oliveto

Steven Spielberg’s long-anticipated Abraham Lincoln film just keeps looking better and better. With a script by the incomparable Tony Kushner and a lead actor in none other than Daniel Day-Lewis, it’s safe to say that this has a shot at being a highly memorable picture with obvious Oscar potential. Now, according to Deadline, Sally Field has joined the cast, portraying Mary Todd Lincoln; that’s some terrific casting.

Speaking on the matter, Spielberg says, “I’m excited to be working with Sally for the first time. I’ve admired her films and she has always been my first choice to portray all the fragility and complexity that was Mary Todd Lincoln.”

Field herself seems equally enthused, saying, “To have the opportunity to work with Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis and to play one of the most complicated and colorful women in American history is simply as good as it gets.”

While she hasn’t exactly been as active in Hollywood as she was during the 90s, Sally Field has always had an ability to deliver heartfelt and striking performances. She has an uncanny ability to play strong, independent women; maybe we can look forward to a take on Mary Todd Lincoln that depicts her as something more than the wife of one of our greatest Presidents. With this role to look forward to, as well as the role of Aunt Mae in the “Spider-Man” reboot added to her list of credits, we can see a major comeback for this star. She certainly deserves it.

While it has taken some time for Spielberg to move forward on his Lincoln project—even the most iconic blockbuster director of all time can’t avoid the pitfalls of development hell—we’re thrilled to see that this film is finally happening. With tremendous talent behind the camera and an impeccable cast in front of it, we’re sensing that this might end up being one of his best films in years.