Steven Spielberg's long-planned biopic of Abraham Lincoln is finally going ahead, with Liam Neeson tipped to play the US president.

The Jaws director first voiced an interest in taking on the project some seven years ago, but other film commitments, such as Minority Report and Catch Me If You Can, filled his schedule.

It was thought project may get off the ground three years ago, but was delayed again when Spielberg chose to concentrate on War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Talking to German magazine Focus, the legendary director said: "I want to start Lincoln in early 2009, because it's Lincoln's 200th anniversary."

Liam Neeson, who starred in Spielberg's Oscar-winning second world war epic, is still thought to be the first choice to bring America's 16th president to life on the big screen.

However, any shooting will only take place after Spielberg has finished with the comic-book adaptation of Tintin, which is not due to start until September.