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Daniel Day-Lewis has insisted that he ‘never meant to retire’ ahead of the release of his first film in eight years.
In a new interview on Thursday, the actor, 68, reflected on feeling ‘residual sadness’ as his son, Ronan, 27, went on to make films while he ‘walked away from it.’
Daniel sent shockwaves through Hollywood when he announced he was retiring at the age of 60 back in 2017.
But as he returns to screens in Anemone, Ronan’s directorial debut, he has now admitted that he was just ‘intending on doing other things.’
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Daniel explained: ‘It just seems like such grandiose gibberish to talk about. I never intended to retire, really.
‘I just stopped doing that particular type of work so I could do some other work.’
Daniel Day-Lewis has insisted that he ‘never meant to retire’ ahead of the release of his first film in eight years (pictured in January 2024)
In a new interview on Thursday, the actor, 68, reflected on feeling ‘residual sadness’ as his son, Ronan, 27, went on to make films while he ‘walked away from it’ (pictured in Anemone)
The legendary actor – who starred in Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, The Last of the Mohicans – never gave a reason for his exit at the time, with his team insisting it was a ‘private decision’.
A statement from his representative said: ‘Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor … This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.’
Psychological drama Anemone is set for release October 3 and features Daniel in the lead role alongside Sean Bean and Samantha Morton.
Adding of their project, the actor explained how he thought it would be ‘lovely’ to get the chance to work with his son.
He continued: ‘I had some residual sadness because I knew Ronan was going to go on to make films, and I was walking away from that.’
The father and son duo wrote the screenplay, which is described as an exploration of the relationships between fathers, sons and brothers.
Filming began last October in Manchester and although details of Daniel’s character, Ray Stoker, have not been confirmed he is rumoured to be an ex soldier.
In 2017, Daniel famously delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread and then withdrew from acting completely.
As he returns to screens in Anemone, Ronan’s directorial debut, he has now admitted that he just ‘intending on doing other things’ (L-R Rebecca Miller, Ronan, Daniel and Lena Christakis)
In 2017, Daniel famously delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread (pictured) and then withdrew from acting completely
A statement released to Variety by his spokeswoman confirmed the shock news.
In it, Leslee Dart said: ‘Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years.
‘This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.’
A few months later in an interview with W magazine he acknowledged he felt ‘great sadness’ at the decision but explained he felt compelled to take it.
‘The impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do,’ he said.
He went on: ‘Do I feel better? Not yet. I have great sadness. And that’s the right way to feel.’
