Steven Spielberg returns behind the camera this year following his incredibly popular adaptation of War Horse, which went to the Academy Awards with six nominations back in February.

His historical drama, Lincoln, will see Daniel Day-Lewis take the lead as the eponymous American President, Abraham Lincoln, and now EW have given us our first official look at the actor in full costume.

The film sees Oscar-nominated Tony Kushner (Munich) adapting the original book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, and whilst we await an official synopsis for the film, here’s the synopsis for the book, courtesy of Waterstones:

“In this monumental multiple biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin studies Abraham Lincoln’s mastery of men. She shows how he saved Civil War-torn America by appointing his fiercest rivals to key cabinet positions, making them help achieve his vision for peace. As well as a thrilling piece of narrative history, it’s an inspiring study of one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen. This is a book to bury yourself in.”

Starring alongside Day-Lewis will be an incredible supporting cast, headed up by Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Earle Haley, Jared Harris, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Lee Pace, James Spader, Walton Goggins, and John Hawkes.

Lincoln will get a limited US release on 9th November, before opening wider a week later on 16th November. Here in the UK, we’ll be seeing it arrive on the big screen on 25th January, 2013, ten days after the year’s Oscar nominations are announced, which could well boost its performance on our shores if it makes the cut like so many Spielberg films before it. For now, enjoy this great first official look at Day-Lewis in the lead, and as usual, you can click to enlarge.