Martin Scorsese's Mission to Coax the Ultimate Actor Out of Retirement

Daniel Day-Lewis made a surprise appearance at the National Board of Review Awards, where director Martin Scorsese hinted at the potential for the two to collaborate on a new film. While the National Board of Review awards may not have the same recognition as the Oscars, they still attract some major industry figures.

The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, a New York-based organization dedicated to preserving the quality of films for future generations, host the awards ceremony. Among this year’s honorees were acclaimed figures, with Martin Scorsese emerging as the recipient of the Best Director award for his work on Killers of the Flower Moon. Notably, the nomination has sparked interest in the return of iconic actor Daniel Day-Lewis, fueling anticipation for potential future collaborations.

Martin Scorsese teases a reunion with Gangs of New York star Daniel Day-Lewis

Day-Lewis, who retired from acting in 2017, made the surprise appearance at the event to present the Best Director award to Scorsese.

Scorsese seemed excited to see the Gangs of New York star and playfully teased the crowd with the idea of a third collaboration.

You guys!!! pic.twitter.com/aQ58exL5pH

On January 12, 2024, Matt Neglia shared a tweet from Martin Scorsese expressing his desire to collaborate on another film after two successful projects. Scorsese described the experience as one of the greatest in his life, prompting cheers from the crowd.

Daniel Day-Lewis is widely regarded as one of the most esteemed actors of our time. He has stepped away from acting twice, initially departing from Hollywood after starring in The Boxer in 1997 to pursue a career as a shoe-maker in Italy.

It was Scorsese who persuaded him to make a comeback for Gangs of New York. The two had previously worked together on The Age of Innocence in 1993, which earned Scorsese Best Director nominations from the National Board of Review, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards.

During the second phase of his career, Day-Lewis made appearances in a handful of films, including the critically acclaimed There Will Be Blood and Lincoln, before announcing his second retirement ahead of the release of his last film, 2017’s Phantom Thread.

Meanwhile, Scorsese has remained in the spotlight not only for his latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, but also for his resistance to the comic book movie trend.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled at the prospect of Martin Scorsese and Daniel Day-Lewis collaborating on a new film. Scorsese is one of the greatest directors of all time, and Day-Lewis is one of the most talented actors of his generation. Their previous collaborations, "Gangs of New York" and "The Age of Innocence," were both critical and commercial successes, and I believe that their third film together could be even better.

I am particularly impressed by Scorsese's ability to coax great performances out of his actors. He has a gift for creating an environment in which actors feel comfortable taking risks and pushing themselves to their limits. Day-Lewis is known for his intense and immersive performances, and I believe that Scorsese is the perfect director to bring out the best in him. I can't wait to see what these two masters of cinema create together.