Trent Reznor has now confirmed and elaborated on his Abe involvement on the Nine Inch Nails website.
In his own amusing words: "I am friends with Timur Bekmambetov . He’s an interesting and very talented director that caught my attention with his film Nightwatch (check it out if you haven’t). He asked me if I was interested in scoring his new film he’s doing with Tim Burton entitled **Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. **I was familiar with the book, read the script, and it felt like an interesting challenge as a composer – very different from the Fincher films. While discussing the film with Timur he started gently pressing me to play a small role in the film. The idea was a cameo-esque role that would be kept under wraps and be a surprise around opening night. I was considering this when I awoke a few days ago to the news I am now starring in ALVH (which is obviously not true). Fuck. We both apparently forgot the internet existed and there are no surprises anymore! So... do me a favour and act surprised, OK?"
...
What better way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's presidential inauguration than with the news that Trent Reznor looks to be scoring **Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter? We like to think that Lincoln, were he alive today, would have Closer on repeat on his iPod.
Reznor, who along with his musical cohort Atticus Ross just picked up the Oscar for The Social Network's soundtrack, is also set to re-team with David Fincher for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Work has already been taking place on the themes for Lisbeth Salander and co., so it's not quite clear whether Reznor will be taking a detour into undead territory before returning to the chilly sonic landscapes of Sweden, or juggling both projects at the same time.
There's also no mention of Ross so far in connection with Abe Lincoln, but there is the intriguing suggestion that Reznor may be stepping in front of the camera for the first time (not counting videos) to play the vampire responsible for "turning" Lincoln's mother Nancy. That, of course, is the event that starts Abe on his lifelong quest to vanquish evil supernatural hordes. A cameo then, but a significant one.
After all those years of Downward Spirals and "too fucked up to care anymore", it looks like Reznor is having some fun lately. Conversely, a bit of Reznor noise might give Abe Lincoln some teeth. The screenplay is by original author Seth Graeme Smith (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies); Timur Bekmambetov (Nightwatch, Wanted) is directing and co-producing with Tim Burton; and Benjamin Walker is Lincoln, with the supporting cast including Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The release is pencilled in for June 22 next year.