Sally Field signs on to Abraham Lincoln biopic

Sally Field is set to star in a new biopic about Abraham Lincoln.

The Oscar-winning actress has signed up to play Mary Todd Lincoln - wife to the 16th President of the United States - in the new Steven Spielberg-directed movie 'Lincoln'.

Spielberg - who will also produce the movie alongside Kathleen Kennedy - said: "I'm excited to be working with Sally for the first time. I've admired her films and she has always been my first choice to portray all the fragility and complexity that was Mary Todd Lincoln."

Sally will star alongside Daniel Day-Lewis - who will play Lincoln - and says the role is a dream come true.

She said: "To have the opportunity to work with Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis and to play one of the most complicated and colourful women in American history is simply as good as it gets."

The movie is based on the best-selling book, 'Team of Rivals', by Doris Kearns Goodwin, while the screenplay will be penned by Tony Kushner.

It is anticipated that the film will focus on the political collision of Lincoln and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition and the end of the Civil War.

Filming is set to begin later this year ahead of a 2012 release.