Seeing as Irvine Welsh, the author of the “Trainspotting” novel, wrote a sequel to his well-regarded story about Scottish heroin addicts called “Porno” back in 2002, it’s always seemed like something of a possibility that Danny Boyle, the guy who directed the Trainspotting film, could get his crew of actors back together and shoot it as a sequel. There have always been concerns that have kept that from happening though; namely the fact that Boyle had a pretty public falling out with his Trainspotting star, Ewan McGregor, and the worry that “Porno” the novel isn’t really as good as “Trainspotting,” (so it might not be worth making into a movie).
While talking to The Playlist, Boyle has revealed that he’s always wanted to make a Trainspotting sequel anyway, so he’s going to try to shoot for getting one into theaters in 2016, which would make it in time to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the first film’s 1996 release. But what about all of those pesky concerns about “Porno” not really having what it takes to make for a good movie, and McGregor not really being so fond of Boyle anymore? Don’t worry, the director has them addressed.
As far as the script goes, he’s revealed that his Trainspotting adapter and frequent collaborator John Hodge will be writing, and that he’s not exactly doing a direct adaptation of Welsh’s novel. Boyle explains that, “It’s very loosely based on ‘Porno.’ There’s a couple of things that are based on the book, but obviously we’d have to have Irvine on board.” Welsh’s basic concept for “Porno” sees the old gang getting back together and once again stabbing each other in the back, this time over the filming of a porn film, so one would imagine that Hodge’s sequel would stick to this premise, even if it changes most everything else (for one, Welsh’s book takes place a decade after the original, so the story will have to be altered so that it takes place two decades later instead).
And what of the Ewan McGregor problem? Boyle insists that, “There’s always been this long term plan for Trainspotting 2. If John can produce a decent enough script, I don’t think there will be any barriers to Ewan or any of the cast coming back,” then adds, “I think they’ll wanna know that the parts are good so they don’t feel like they are letting anyone down.”
Obviously any chance to get Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle back together for anything would be an opportunity well worth taking, but what do you think about doing it for a Trainspotting sequel? Is there really a story about these characters that would be worth telling this far into their future? Or should Boyle and Hodge just be looking to write an original work that includes characters for each of these familiar faces?
Yeah, you’re right, it doesn’t matter what the project is. Let’s just be happy that all of these talents seem to be willing to work together again. Trainspotting 2 it is.