Irvine Welsh

Robert Carlyle has promised that his infamous Trainspotting character Francis Begbie will be “scarier” than ever in the film’s upcoming sequel. Carlyle was appearing in Edinburgh alongside Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and assured fans that they wouldn't be let down by the sequel, which comes 20 years after the original film.

Robert Carlyle has said Begbie will be even scarier 20 years on.

“He is still very much the person that he was,” Carlyle said. “His preferred way of dealing with things is still to be very violent, but he keeps his powder dry, he is more judicious, he is more in control. In some ways, he is more dangerous as a result of that.”

Continue reading: Robert Carlyle Promises An Even Scarier Begbie In 'Trainspotting' Sequel

Ewan McGregor has confirmed that he long-awaited sequel to Trainspotting is set to begin filming at the end of May. The sequel comes 20 years after the original cult classic film and a decade after Irvine Welsh wrote his follow up novel Porno.

Ewan McGregor will begin filming the Trainspotting sequel at the end of May.

Speaking to Collider, McGregor said: “It’s been 10 years since Irvine Welsh wrote the sequel novel, Porno, so it’s been a long time, a lot of speculation. For me, too! 10 years ago, I didn’t want to do it; I wasn’t ready to do it. Also, there was no script.”

Continue reading: Ewan McGregor Confirms 'Trainspotting' Sequel Will Begin Filming In May

Director Danny Boyle has said he plans to begin shooting the long awaited Trainspotting sequel next summer. If all goes to plan Boyle hopes that the film will then hit cinemas later in 2016, in time for the original film’s 20th anniversary.

Danny Boyle hopes to begin shooting Trainspotting sequel next year.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Boyle said that the shoot was planned for “May/June” 2016, but added that it all depends on Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle’s shooting schedules. Both actors are currently tied up with television commitments in the US, with Carlyle starring in ‘Once Upon A Time’ and Miller in ‘Elementary’.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Plans To Begin Shooting 'Trainspotting' Sequel Next Summer

Ewan McGregor has said he would be up for revisiting the role of heroin addict Renton in a sequel to 1996’s Trainspotting, if director Danny Boyle was also on board. Speaking at the Edinburgh film festival, McGregor also revealed there’s no longer any bad blood between himself and the director after their much publicised falling out in the late 90s.

Ewan McGregor at the Edinburgh film festival

When asked if he’d now return for a Trainspotting sequel McGregor said he has changed his mind on the subject and would now say yes. “I would be up for it,” McGregor said. “I’ve said that to Danny. Everybody has talked about it and speculated about it, but I don’t if it’s happening yet. I’ve not seen a script and I don’t know if there is one. It’s been a long, long time.”

Continue reading: Ewan McGregor Declares He Would Be Up For 'Trainspotting' Sequel With Director Danny Boyle

When Irvine Welsh released Trainspotting back in 1993, it became a cult classic. And this wasn’t despite the harrowing subject matter, accented pros and consistent drug abuse, rather because of them. Now, after the film received similar adulation, Begbie is back, and he’s here to help the homeless.

Begbie came from this man's head - Irvine Welsh

The sociopathic Begbie - played by Robert Carlyle in the film - isn’t exactly the charitable sort – more interested in incredibly violent episodes and hamming up stories when the truth is somewhat different. But his creator, Irvine Welsh, despite conjuring up many twisted souls in his stories, reignited the character to feature in The Big Issue and help homeless people.

Continue reading: How Irvine Welsh's Begbie Is Coming Back To Support Homeless People

Filth, Jon S. Baird’s adaptation of the eponymous Irvine Welsch novel Filth, starring James McAvoy. The actor, known for his roles in X-Men: First Class, Wanted and, once upon a time The Chronicles of Narnia, has definitely switched gears for this one. McAvoy plays corrupt cop Bruce Robertson, who struggles with bipolar disorder, whilst engaging in practically every vice, known to humanity. As you may have guessed, the actor’s overall nice guy persona made him a less than obvious choice for the part. However, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, which McAvoy gave at the film’s Zurich Film Festival premiere, he explained why he took on the challenge of playing so starkly against type.

The poster leaves little doubt - this is going to be one of those "love it or hate it" films.

“This was simply one of the best scripts I'd ever read. In the top three, McAvoy says. “It's up there with Atonement. A beautiful and harrowing script.”

Continue reading: "The Filth" UK Premiere Sees James McAvoy In What Might Be His Most Challenging Role Yet

It was an ambitious project, but one that seems to have paid off. Transferring Irvine Welsh’s brilliantly disgusting character, Bruce Robertson from page to screen in Filth sees James McAvoy excel, further swelling his already brilliant reputation.

The critics have been waxing lyrical about Filth

The story follows Robertson – who is in fact an officer of the law, he’s PC Robertson – as he goes about his debouched ways. When a promotion rears its head and our benter-then-bent cop is enlisted to solve a brutal murder, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if the aspirations of his colleagues threaten to block his path.

Continue reading: James McAvoy Is Filthy Good In Movie Version Of Irvine Welsh's 'Filth' [Trailer + Pictures]

The temptation to place classic performances, films and music on a pedestal and never let your mind’s eye topple them is strong. We hold a robust affection for culture gone by, and often struggle to let modern talent permeate the pantheon of classic big-screen behemoths.

McAvoy in Welcome to The Punch

'Tosh,' says Irvine Welsh, who asserts that James McAvoy’s performance in Filth is better than that of Robert De Niro’s in Taxi Driver – a turn that would forever ensure him legendary status.

Continue reading: James McAvoy In 'Filth' > Robert De Niro In 'Taxi Driver'? Big Claim

Filth, the latest movie to star James McAvoy, is an adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel of the same name and it has all the hallmarks of a classic Irvine Welsh movie adaptation, with its fast-paced, seedy cinematography and wry, snappy humour. The word filth takes on two meanings here. McAvoy plays the central character Bruce Robertson, who – by all accounts, is a pretty filthy kinda guy, he’s into some fairly unsavoury sexual practises and when his doctor asks if he’s been taking his medication, he’s only able to sort-of-honestly answer ‘yes’ because of all the illicit substances he’s been snorting. That’s not the only kind of ‘filth’ he is though – he’s also a police officer. A Detective Sergeant no less.

Robertson’s not one for abiding by the law, however and even when he’s on duty, he’s a pretty deceitful, dishonest kind of guy and will do anything to get one over on his colleagues, so that he can get a promotion. However, the combination of mind-altering drugs and the fact that he’s collapsing under a mountain of lies soon starts to take a toll on his sanity and wellbeing. Add to that the fact that he has a troubled marriage that he’s desperate to save and things aren’t looking great for him, all told.

This red-band trailer precedes the September release of the movie which also stars Jamie Bell, Imogen Poots, Joanne Froggett and Jim Broadbent. 

Continue reading: James McAvoy Needs To Clean Up His Act In Filth (Trailer)