Neeson: Lincoln project still in the works

NEW YORK, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Liam Neeson says he still hopes to play former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in a movie to be helmed by his "Schindler's List" director Steven Spielberg.

"It's in the works," the Northern Irish actor told reporters about the Lincoln project while promoting his new thriller "Taken" in New York recently.

"(Spielberg) asked me four years ago, would I do it. I said, 'Let me think about it.' And I did and I said: 'I've thought about it. Yes,'" Neeson recalled.

Asked if he has been doing a lot of reading up on the 16th president to prepare for the role, Neeson quipped, "I'm almost an expert on Abraham Lincoln."

"But, we'll not go down there because there's over 2,000 books written on him. There's one coming out at the moment, every month, this being his bicentennial this year," the actor added. "It's crying out to be told -- what went into the formation of the United States. It's an extraordinary story. But it's in the works and (Spielberg) will do it, I'm sure, when he's ready. I mean, he developed 'Schindler's List' for 10 years."