Daniel Day-Lewis’ onscreen comeback wasn’t an overnight decision.
Instead, the three-time Oscar winner—who announced his retirement from acting in 2017—was gradually lured back to his craft while co-writing his new psychological drama Anemone alongside his son Ronan Day-Lewis.
“We began with a seed of an idea and that was to work together on something,” Daniel, 68, exclusively told E! News at the movie’s New York Film Festival premiere in New York City Sept. 28. “Initially, we discovered a shared interest in exploring the idea of brotherhood, and so we began with two brothers in a shed. That was all we had.”
According to Ronan—for whom the project serves as his directorial debut—envisioning his dad in the lead role not only proved helpful during the writing process, but also made the Lincoln star more open to stepping back in front of the camera.
“As the characters started to develop on their own accord and also in relation and in contrast to each other, I think is when Ray started to become more appealing to [him],” the 27-year-old explained. “It was amazing to watch the character grow with him as an actor, as well as a co-writer. It was a really unique process.”
