Day Lewis refuses to get caught up in Oscar hype

He may be one of the favorites to land an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards but Daniel Day Lewis was keen to put things in perspective at the Irish Premiere of his new movie 'There Will Be Blood'.

He may be one of the favourites to land an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards but Daniel Day Lewis was keen to put things in perspective at the Irish Premiere of his new movie 'There Will Be Blood'.

The Wicklow resident is widely expected to fend off competition from George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Tommy Lee Jones and Viggo Mortensen to land his second golden statuette with his third nomination for what has been described as an epic tale of family, faith, power and oil set on the frontier of California's turn-of-the-century oil boom.

The story chronicles the life and times of one Daniel Plainview, who transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son on his own into a self-made oil tycoon.

Despite talk about the upcoming ceremony, accompanied by his wife Rebecca Miller, daughter of playwright Arthur Miller, the 50 year old was more keen to focus on what he regarded as more of an important issue on the red carpet at Dublin's Savoy Cinema at the Gala screening of his new movie.

The actor holds the charity heartchildren.ie in high esteem. Founded 18 years ago around the time he won the best actor Oscar for his performance as writer Christy Brown in 'My Left Foot', it was established by a group of parents who met in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin while their children were being treated for birth defects.

Their mission is to raise public awareness and support children who suffer from congenital heart defects. along with their parents and families and bereaved relatives.

It was this charity that he wanted to assume the limelight rather than speculation that his latest role would land another accolade to go wth the Bafta, Golden Globe and Screen Actors' Guild Award he's already bagged this year.