Daniel Day-Lewis has officially retired from acting for son's film 'Anemone'

Daniel Day-Lewis, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, is coming out of retirement after seven years away from the big screen. She stars in Focus Features and Plan B's upcoming film “Anemone,” the directorial debut of her son Ronan Day-Lewis.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Ronan Day-Lewis co-wrote the film, describing the complex relationships between fathers, sons and brothers as well as “the dynamics of family bonds”. Daniel Day-Lewis, his first acting gig since 2017's “Phantom Thread,” will lead the cast of “Anemone” with Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green.

“We couldn't be more excited to partner Ronan Day-Lewis, a brilliant visual artist, on his first feature film with Daniel Day-Lewis as his creative associate,” Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement. “They have written a truly exceptional script, and we look forward to bringing their shared vision to the audience as well as the team at Plan B.”

“Anemone” reunites Daniel Day-Lewis with Focus Features, the specialty studio behind “Phantom Thread.” On “Anemone,” Ben Fordsman (“Love Lies Bleeding”) will serve as director of photography, Jane Petrie (“The Crown”) as costume designer and Chris Oddy (“Zone of Interest”) as production designer.

Ronan Day-Lewis, 26, is a painter whose first international solo exhibition opens in Hong Kong on October 2 before making stops in New York City and Los Angeles. His father is the only actor to have won three Best Actor Oscars. Daniel Day-Lewis has been praised for Steven Spielberg's “Lincoln”, Paul Thomas Anderson's “There Will Be Blood” and Jim Sheridan's “My Left Foot”. He also received nominations for “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”

Daniel Day-Lewis announced he was quitting acting in 2017 before the release of “Phantom Thread,” though he did not give a reason for his retirement. “He is extremely grateful to all his collaborators and viewers over the years,” a spokesperson for the actor said in a statement. This is a personal decision and neither he nor his representatives will comment further on the matter.”

The actor later reflected on his decision to publicly announce his retirement, telling W magazine that “before production [‘Phantom Thread’]I didn't know I was going to stop acting.” Part of the reason she made a statement about it was to hold herself accountable.

“I knew it was unusual to make a statement,” says Daniel Day-Lewis. “But I wanted to draw a line. I didn't want to go back to another project. All my life, I have opened up about how I should stop acting, and I don't know why this time was different, but the impulse to quit took root in me and it became a compulsion. It was something I had to do.”

Daniel Day-Lewis attended the National Board of Review Awards earlier this year and reunited with his “Gangs of New York” director Martin Scorsese, who sparked rumors of the actor retiring for a future collaboration between them.

“We did two movies together and it was one of the best experiences of my life,” Scorsese said while accepting the best director award for “Killer of the Flower Moon.” “Maybe there's time for one more. Maybe! He is the best.”