Robert Redford to Direct Lincoln Assasination Film

How is this possible? How is Robert Redford making a film about Abraham Lincoln, before Steven Spielberg’s long gestating biopic? Apparently, it’s happening and the veteran actor-director isn’t wasting any time. According to Yahoo News, Redford will direct a film based on the assassination of our former president. The story won’t focus on John Wilkes Booth, but rather Mary Suratt. Who is she you ask? Find out below.

The Lincoln film is entitled The Conspirator, and centers on the involvement of Suratt with the Confederacy. “She was tried for supplying weapons to Booth and his accomplice David Herold. Surratt’s son John, also alleged to be part of the conspiracy, went on the lam. He eventually was put on trial but was not convicted, living until 1916.” The film will take place right after Lincoln’s assassination when the country was on the verge of another Civil War.

James McAvoy is being considered for one of the lead roles in the film. The Conspirator’s screenplay was written by James Solomon, who also wrote The Bronx is Burning. Now, back to Spielberg’s piece. The director has been working on a film simply entitled, Lincoln for what seems like forever. Sources have Liam Neeson set to star as the 16th president, but we have yet to see it.

I think it’s interesting that none of the actors being considered for these historical roles are American. Do we need to step it up a notch or what?

What do you think of Redford’s upcoming film? Are you more interested in the criminals or the victims involved in this story?