The air was thick with nostalgia and anticipation at the National Board of Review awards last night, where cinema legends crossed paths, and the possibility of a dream reunion hung in the air. Daniel Day-Lewis, the revered actor who has twice graced the screen under Martin Scorsese’s direction, made a rare appearance to honor the illustrious director with the Best Director award.
Scorsese, now an octogenarian maestro at 81, has not lost his touch, as evidenced by his latest work, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” But it was his hint at a potential collaboration with Day-Lewis that has set the film world abuzz. “We did two films together and it’s one of the greatest experiences of my life… maybe there’s time for one more,” Scorsese mused during his acceptance speech, igniting a flame of hope for cinephiles everywhere.
Day-Lewis, who has been steadfast in his retirement since 2017 after the release of “Phantom Thread,” is no stranger to stepping back from the spotlight. He famously swapped the film set for the cobbler’s bench in the late ’90s, dedicating himself to the craft of shoemaking under the tutelage of Stefano Bemer in Italy. This retreat from acting, though not his first, has left fans and skeptics alike wondering if the stage is set for his return.
Reflecting on his retirement to W magazine, Day-Lewis had articulated a feeling of necessity, a call within him to depart from his acting career. Yet, the question lingers — is the siren call of cinema, particularly the chance to work with Scorsese once more, enough to coax him back into the limelight?
If indeed Day-Lewis remains retired, his legacy is unassailable, marked by performances that have become etched in the annals of film history. From “There Will Be Blood” to “Lincoln,” his portrayals have transcended the craft of acting, becoming cultural touchstones.
But last night’s hint from Scorsese has reopened the book on Day-Lewis’s career, and fans are left holding their breath, wishing for one final act. Will the cinematic landscape be graced once more by this iconic actor-director team? Only time will tell, but for now, the mere possibility has provided a tantalizing whisper of “what if” that echoes through the halls of film lore.