'You can only fall out with someone you love': Ewan McGregor looks back at his bitter 17-year dispute with T2 Trainspotting Danny Boyle
His career-defining character is back after a 20-year absence, ready to reconnect with old friends and reacquaint with once familiar surroundings.
And much like the reformed Mark Renton, who returns to cinema screens in the much anticipated T2 Trainspotting on Friday, actor Ewan McGregor was making his own return to familiar territory after agreeing to revive the role that turned him into a star.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Ewan, 45, reflected on his well-documented falling out with the film’s Academy Award winning director Danny Boyle after being overlooked for a leading role in his 2000 film The Beach.
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Looking back: Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Ewan McGregor reflected on his well-documented falling out with the film’s Academy Award winning director Danny Boyle after being overlooked for a leading role in his 2000 film The Beach
The Scottish actor had enjoyed a productive working relationship with Boyle, collaborating with the director on the critically acclaimed Shallow Grave and Trainspotting before being cast alongside Cameron Diaz in commercial flop A Life Less Ordinary.
But he admits he was stunned after Boyle chose American star Leonardo DiCaprio to play central character Richard in his next film, a screen adaptation of Alex Garland’s enormously successful debut novel.
‘I had been in Danny’s first three films and then I wasn’t asked to be in his fourth – The Beach – but it wasn’t really about the film, it was about our friendship,’ he explained.
Regretful: Appearing on the weekly chat show alongside Ewan and his co-stars, Boyle admitted he handled the decision to overlook his old friend badly
Plenty to talk about: Ewen Bremner (L) and Jonny Lee Miller (R) were also guests on Norton's show
‘Not being in the film made me a bit rudderless and I didn’t quite get it. You can only fall out with someone you love.’
Appearing on the weekly chat show alongside Ewan and his co-stars, Boyle admitted he handled the decision to overlook his old friend badly.
‘I feel a great shame about it that is difficult to explain. He handled it with enormous grace and courage,’ he said.
‘Someone asked him to present an award to me for Slumdog Millionaire and he did it and made this amazing speech and I was in tears back stage. I’m very grateful to him.’
A welcome return: Robert Carlyle returns for T2 Trainspotting as Frank Begbie
While Ewan expressed interest bringing Garland's backpacking thriller to life, he was less convinced by the prospect of filling the late Sir Alec Guinness's enormous shoes after being approached to play Obi Wan Kenobi in the George Lucas directed Star Wars prequels.
He would eventually agree to the role, but not before seeking advice from his uncle, actor Denis Lawson - best known for his role as X-Wing pilot Wedge Antilles in Episodes four, five and six of the sprawling science fiction odyssey.
'I just didn't think it was for me as I thought of myself as a urban, indie, grungy actor,' he recalled. 'I spoke to my uncle, who had been in all three films, who said, "Don't do it if you want a career after you're 30!"'
The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday, January 27 at 10:35pm on BBC One.
Coming soon: The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday, January 27 at 10:35pm on BBC One
Reunited: Spud, Renton, Sick Boy and Begbie are back in T2 Trainspotting
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