Presidential Protocol: Obama's Decision Not to Visit the Set of 'Lincoln
Barack Obama's interest in pop culture is well-known, with his public playlists and involvement in Netflix projects. During the filming of the presidential biopic "Lincoln," director Steven Spielberg and lead actor Daniel Day-Lewis maintained a strict commitment to staying in character. Spielberg addressed the cast by their character names, and Day-Lewis remained in character as Abraham Lincoln both on and off set, even texting like Lincoln.
When Obama expressed interest in visiting the set of "Lincoln," Spielberg and Day-Lewis were cautious not to disrupt the immersive atmosphere. Spielberg approached Day-Lewis as "Mr. President" and mentioned the current occupant of the office wanting to observe the filming. Day-Lewis declined the visit, stating it might be a distraction. Spielberg respected his decision, understanding the importance of maintaining the authenticity of the production.
Spielberg enforced strict rules on set to create a period-appropriate environment, including a ban on cell phones, shorts, and sneakers. However, actor Hal Holbrook unintentionally broke character when he greeted Day-Lewis as himself rather than as "Mr. Lincoln." Spielberg intervened to remind Holbrook of the character Day-Lewis was portraying, emphasizing the need for consistency in maintaining the illusion of authenticity.
In hindsight, it seems prudent that Obama did not visit the set of "Lincoln." Even seasoned actors like Holbrook struggled to adhere to the strict character immersion maintained by Day-Lewis and Spielberg. The potential disruption caused by a visiting president would likely have been more significant, considering the dedication of the cast and crew to preserving the historical accuracy of the film.