Director Steven Spielberg has two movies coming out next month, but he’s currently busy prepping his next effort, Lincoln. The high-profile pic has been in the works for years, and Spielberg is finally set to start production early next year. Set in the lead as our nation’s 16th President is Daniel Day-Lewis. You may be aware that Day-Lewis is known for going pretty hardcore method for his roles, and now we have our first look at the actor all trimmed up as Lincoln. He’s not in costume, but Variety’s Jeff Sneider hears that Day-Lewis hasn’t broken his Lincoln accent since March and his real name doesn’t even appear on the call sheet, so it’s pretty safe to assume that he’s already “in character.”

Even without a costume he looks terrific, and I really can’t wait to see what’s sure to be an extraordinary performance in full. Hit the jump to check out the image. The film also stars Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, John Hawkes, and Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant. Lincoln opens in late 2012.

Here’s the image courtesy of Richmond.com (via The Film Stage):