LIAM NEESON - NEESON TO PLAY LINCOLN

Hollywood star LIAM NEESON is thrilled STEVEN SPIELBERG has cast him as ABRAHAM LINCOLN in a brand new drama based on the legendary US President.

The maverick director had originally considered TOM HANKS for the coveted role, but he has settled for his SCHINDLER'S LIST star to portray the bearded politician.

Neeson tells the New York Daily News, "We're definitely going to do it. We've been working on it since November. (The tale) speaks to our time."

But despite speculation his actress wife NATASHA RICHARDSON is expected to play his screen partner MARY TODD LINCOLN, she insists, "It is definitely not me. The role has been cast.

"I don't think I'm allowed to talk about that."