Danny Boyle has been saying for a few years that he hoped to shoot a sequel to Trainspotting in 2016. Why that year specifically? Because it marks the 20th anniversary of the breakout drug comedy, which starred then rising stars Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner, and Kelly MacDonald. Earlier this month Boyle reiterated his hopes for that plan, but noted it would be tough with the cast's tight scheduling. But now it seems everything is starting to come together just like he wanted.
Boyle confirmed to THR that Trainspotting 2, which obviously won't be named Porno after the Irvine Welsh novelization, is confirmed for a May/June shoot. Even more, he intends to have the film ready for release in 2016. As for those concerns about scheduling, it's going to be a tight squeeze because of Carlyle and Miller's TV commitments (they star in Once Upon a Time and Elementary respectively) but the four principle actors are ready to return. Here's what Boyle told Comingsoon...
“We’ve got the four main actors all eager and willing to do it. I’m very happy because my only (concern) was that the script would be good for two of them and not so great for the other two, and they’d feel obliged to come back, but they’ve all got good stuff, and it’s a very interesting look at them again. Hopefully, we can get it finished in time to release it in 2016 which is the 20th Anniversary year, so yes, we’re on it, and it’s looking good.”
The film will be shot for a relatively cheap $20M, and gives Boyle the control to be as faithful to the characters as possible.
“The actors were understandably worried about its reputation and not wanting to let people down or to just be cashing in. So actually the script, which John [Hodge] has written, has been put under a very fierce spotlight by everyone, and it’s a good one.”
I've never been a huge Trainspotting fan but Boyle is a director I have a ton of respect for. My curiosity is piqued by seeing what he can do with these characters now that he's such a vastly improved filmmaker, not due to any nostalgia for the original film. What about you? Are you excited for a Trainspotting reunion?
