Daniel Day-Lewis has been expected to come out of retirement, but the reason why isn't what one would have imagined. Daniel Day-Lewis' best movies include There Will Be Blood and Lincoln, films that received enormous praise for the prolific actor's unbelievable performances. The 67-year-old star is known for transforming into his roles like no other, with an extreme form of method acting where he stays in character throughout the entire production. While it's hard to deny the results, Day-Lewis chose to retire in 2017, essentially suggesting his approach to acting was too intense for his personal life.

Still, it wasn't the first time Day-Lewis had retired. Due to his immense ion for acting work, many anticipated he would return to the scene at some point. On October 1st, 2024, Daniel Day-Lewis was spotted on a movie set for the first time in seven years, appearing with Sean Bean in a film called Anemone. His previous film was Phantom Thread, which saw him paired with Paul Thomas Anderson, who he'd previously collaborated with on There Will Be Blood, which won him his second of three Academy Awards.

Daniel Day-Lewis Already Retired Once Before But Came Back For Martin Scorsese

Scorse Brought Day-Lewis Back For Gangs Of New York In 2002

Daniel Day-Lewis had his first stint of retirement around the turn of the millennia. After The Boxer in 1997, the actor went into a state of semi-retirement, where he took up woodworking and shoemaking (via best Martin Scorsese movie, but it's nearly unanimously agreed that Day-Lewis gives an enthralling, unforgettable performance.

The actor continued to appear and disappear from the film world throughout the 21st century, only appearing in six feature films before officially announcing retirement in 2017. His next-longest gap was between 2012's Lincoln and 2017's Phantom Thread, where he returned to collaborate with Paul Thomas Anderson for a second time. The expectation for Day-Lewis to return again was likely for another collaboration with PTA, Scorsese, or Spielberg, all of whom have the highest level of prestige to bring that caliber of actor onboard, even from retirement.

Why Daniel Day-Lewis Is Returning To Acting In Anemone

Daniel Day-Lewis Is Working With A First-Time Director: His Son

Anemone won't be directed by any of the aforementioned legendary actors, but with more news from THR, it's pretty clear why he's on board for the production. The film will be directed by the actor's son, 26-year-old painter and director Ronan Day-Lewis. According to the article, "The father and son duo co-wrote the script that explores family bonds, specifically those involving fathers, sons and brothers." It seems like the project is one that's deeply personal to the pair, and it will be interesting to see if Day-Lewis returns to method acting for it.

it's a pleasant surprise to not only have a legendary actor returning but also a new cinematic voice writing and directing.

Unlike many great actors who have frequently dabbled in writing and directing, Daniel Day-Lewis has never taken part in this aspect of any of his previous film projects. Anemone will be the first writing credit for the actor and the first feature film for Ronan Day-Lewis. The film is being produced by Focus Features and Plan B Entertainment, Brad Pitt's production company. All in all, it makes total sense why this is the film Day-Lewis is back for, and it's a pleasant surprise to not only have a legendary actor returning but also a new cinematic voice writing and directing.

Daniel Day-Lewis' Return Hints At A Potentially Very Different Movie Future

Daniel Day-Lewis May Not To Return To Intense Method Acting

For now, the future of Daniel Day-Lewis' acting career is entirely uncertain and up to speculation. While many will hope for him to return to major movie roles, it seems unlikely that he'll bind himself to the types of movies that made him feel the need to quit in the first place. In an interview with W Magazine, he explained, "There’s something of the responsibility of the artist that hung over me. I need to believe in the value of what I’m doing." In other words, he feels an immense responsibility when taking on these jobs, and what results is mentally taxing.

It could be that Anemone is a one-and-done job for him to help his son out on a ion project. Or, if he's returning to the film world but isn't interested in method acting as he used to, a possibility would be fun, smaller roles. He apparently has a strong relationship with fellow actor Adam Sandler, so perhaps a cameo in a future comedy is in order. Day-Lewis could also explore the writing aspect of film more if Anemone is a hit, which could allow him a more serious approach that doesn't require him to change personas.

Sources: Vanity Fair, THR, W Magazine