Spielberg's visit to Virginia

Just because runaway production isn't a big problem for the local entertainment industry doesn't mean it doesn't happen. The director was spotted lunching at a well-known Richmond diner the other day with the head of the Virginia Film Office, presumably in connection with his plans to shoot a movie about Abraham Lincoln. It's based on the best-selling book, "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Lincoln had visited the former capital of the confederacy in April 1865 right after the city fell). From the Washington Post:

Aaron Ruby, an associate at Capital Results public affairs firm located near Millie's, spotted Spielberg as he walked in the front door. "I recognized him right away. At first nobody at the table would believe me. You don't don't expect to see Steven Spielberg in Richmond, at best you see somebody who looks like him,'' he said. "I asked a couple members of his entourage if they were making a movie in Richmond and one woman replied 'maybe.'"

Virginia has been trying to bolster its film incentive program, though not everybody is happy about the giveaway. Meanwhile, Spielberg announced this morning that Daniel Day-Lewis will star as the 16th President of the United States. Filming is expected to begin in the fall of 2011.