HBO have passed on the new Ewan McGregor pilot The Corrections.

Variety reports that the cable network has chosen not to pick up the series, starring McGregor and based on a novel by Jonathan Franzen.

The bestselling novel tells the story of a troubled Midwestern family over a span of several decades, from the mid-20th century to Christmas in the new millennium.

Shot in February, the pilot was directed and adapted by Noah Baumbach, known for his work on the Ben Stiller movie Greenberg.

It featured a cast including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans, Chris Cooper, Greta Gerwig and Dianne West.

McGregor recently starred opposite Emily Blunt in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

He will next be seen in the drama The Impossible with Naomi Watts.

Source

By Celyn • May 02, 2012 • News, Rumours, TV • Comments: 1

It seems that Ewan is no longer attatched the Terry Gilliam’s much-fabled The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, as the director himself commented whilst attending the Marrakech Film Festival a few days ago:

As Gilliam says, funding continues to be the issue on the project. “Well, we’re always waiting for money. Everything is about money, and until you get the money…That’s the problem with films, the things that I’m trying to do cost $20 million dollars, maybe more. And if they’re made in Hollywood they would cost $80 million dollars. Big visions cost money, you have to create them and they cost money. So I’m in that very difficult financial slot. If you make a film for $10 million you get the money like that [snaps], or even 15. $20 million starts getting to a dangerous point.”

Nevertheless, Gilliam did update us on ‘Don Quixote,’ saying that, sadly, Ewan McGregor is no longer involved in the project. “But Robert Duvall is! But we’ve got to hurry, because he’s 82,” Gilliam joked.

Source

By Celyn • December 11, 2011 • Projects, Rumours • Comments: 0

A few days ago, we brought the news that Ryan Gosling, Alexander Skarsgård, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were of interest to Warner Bros. when it comes to Steven Soderbergh‘s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. It seems as if the casting process has gone an extra step, with word now coming in on actors that might replace the departed George Clooney, as well as more contenders for the Russian spy Illya Kuryakin.

ThePlaylist managed to snag some details on who’s catching the attention of the studio and the director — and, boy, it’s a pretty wide-ranging list. (Granted, most of them are white men between 30 and 40, but they’re from all over the map.) One big name is Michael Fassbender, who recently worked with Soderbergh on the forthcoming Haywire; he’s in contention for the lead role of Napoleon Solo. Another actor from that film, Ewan McGregor, is also in the mix, but as Kuryakin — the same part the three previously mentioned thespians are being considered for. The Killing star Joel Kinnaman might have a leg up on Obi-Wan, since he and the director met at Comic-Con this year to discuss a starring part.

Some other, expected names include Ocean’s stars Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. However, not only may schedules get in the way, but those feel like options more than anything else. Similarly, Jude Law was listed; anyone actually think he’ll get the role? I don’t. Whoever they end up nabbing will have to make a dedication, as screenwriter Scott Z. Burns and Soderbergh have mapped out an entire trilogy here. He isn’t likely to direct (for reasons that you probably already know about), but there is a full intent for this to be the start of a new franchise. Shooting is set to begin on February 14th of next year, so an announcement should be coming soon.

Source

By Celyn • September 24, 2011 • Rumours • Comments: 0

Last year there was some decent bank robbing going on in theaters with the crime drama The Town from Ben Affleck, but now two of Britain’s biggest stars are each circling their own robbery films. 24 Frames has word on two different projects in development with Andrew Garfield and Ewan McGregor circling. The first film is called The Robber, a remake of the German film that would see Garfield as a marathon runner who robs banks for sport. The second project, Electric Slide, would see McGregor as “gentlemen bank robber” Eddie Dodson who robbed banks all over Southern California but without actually using a gun.

With The Robber, producer Laura Ziskin, the woman behind The Amazing Spider-Man, is also behind the project so Garfield’s involvement could certainly be official sooner than later. Apparently the original film from Benjamin Heisenberg has been described as being an existential inquiry as much as an action movie. Based on the true story of bank robber Johann Rettenberger, the film doesn’t so much develop the character in great detail, but rather keeps him shrouded in mystery. The project is currently out to writers, so it might be awhile before we hear about this one.

As for Electric Slide, the producer of Blue Valentine is behind the newest iteration of Eddie Dodson’s story which has been attempted several times before. McGregor sounds like the perfect guy to take on this role of a kind but desperate thief. The LA Times writes about Dodson, “He had turned to bank robbery, holding up tellers in West L.A., Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley with a polite smile and a fake gun. He was smooth, unflappable. On his best day, in November 1983, Dodson pulled off six robberies in four hours, collecting more than $13,000.” Yeah, I could definitely be into this story. A new draft of the script is due soon, so hopefully this one gets off the ground sooner than later.

Source

By Celyn • March 05, 2011 • Projects, Rumours • Comments: 0

Ewan McGregor is in negotiations to join the cast of Jack the Giant Killer, New Line and Legendary’s tentpole being directed by Bryan Singer.

The project, shaping up to be one of New Line’s biggest to date, is a retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale centering on a farm boy who leads an expedition to free a princess taken hostage by a giant, a situation which threatens the uneasy peace between humans and giants.

The movie is in casting mode and already sees Nicholas Hoult playing the peasant while Stanley Tucci is playing the villain, an advisor to the king with designs on usurping power. Additionally, Bill Nighy and John Kassir will play the two-headed leader of the giants;

McGregor would play the leader of the king’s elite guard, who helps fight giants.

One major role still to be cast is that of the princess. Among those in contention are Adelaide Kane, an Australian actress who starred in Power Rangers RPM, and Eleanor Tomlinson, who appeared in last year’s Alice in Wonderland.

The movie begins shooting late March in London.

McGregor, repped by UTA and United Agents, last starred in I Love You Phillip Morris with Jim Carrey.

Source

By Celyn • February 26, 2011 • Projects, Rumours • Comments: 0

It appears that Paramount has found their Paul Watson.

The 60-year-old anti-whaling captain, currently tangling with the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic, recently let slip that Ewan McGregor has been cast to play him in an upcoming film about his early days — from Greenpeace to the founding of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

“The making of this movie has been a project in Hollywood since 1981 when Tony Bill first bought the rights from me for Warner Brothers,” writes Watson. “The option rights have been purchased every year but now finally it looks promising, with a written script and serious pre-production work. Over the years a number of actors have requested to play my part including Sean Penn, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aiden Quinn, Rutger Hauer, Clive Owens etc. As of now it looks like Ewan McGregor. I think he will do a good job, although I would love to see long time Sea Shepherd supporter Christian Bale take the part. As for a leading lady my favourite actress has always been Sophie Marceau, but the choice is not mine unfortunately.”

Waton’s news is apparently legit, as the NY Times page for “Ocean Warrior: The Paul Watson Story” has been updated to reflect McGregor’s involvement.

Personally, I believe the 39-year-old is a great pick; especially since he has the proven talent to really tackle a role and sell the character. Let’s hope the script being penned by Keith Ross Leckie (“To Walk With Lions”) and Julie Allan (“The Prince of Cool”) is solid — since we all know from the Star Wars prequels that even McGregor’s acting chops can be wasted on crap writing.

According to Watson, filming for “Ocean Warrior” is slated to begin in Australia sometime this year.

Source

By Celyn • January 03, 2011 • Rumours • Comments: 0

Trainspotting co-stars Ewan McGregor and Kevin McKidd are reuniting to shoot a film set on Everest – about one of the legendary peak’s greatest mysteries.

The movie – the first time the Scots have worked together since the 1996 cult classic – will tell of Brit George Mallory’s attempt to scale the world’s highest mountain.

He and his partner Andrew Irvine perished in 1924 trying to be the first team to conquer the peak – and it’s still not known if they succeeded.

Mallory’s frozen body was found 75 years later.

Now Grey’s Anatomy star McKidd, 37, is excited about appearing alongside McGregor, 39.

He said it was a “brilliant script about the Mallory attempt on Everest where he lost his life”.

McKidd added: “They want to shoot a lot of it at the base camp, so I’m going to need to get into shape for that.”

Source

By Celyn • December 17, 2010 • Rumours • Comments: 0

More than 14 years after a memorable appearance in Trainspotting led to him becoming a household name Ewan McGregor is set to reprise the role.

The 39-year-old Scot starred as the troubled Mark Renton in the original hit movie back in 1996 alongside Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle. Now director Danny Boyle reveals the team are to be reunited in a sequel.

“It will happen,” declares Boyle, 54. “It would be a wonderful thing where they’ve all aged into a mid-life crisis.”

Since the award-winning Trainspotting, which told the story of drug culture in Edinburgh, McGregor has enjoyed fame with his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels as well as playing penniless writer Christian in 2001’s Moulin Rouge!.

Boyle will base the second Trainspotting film on author Irvine Welsh’s 2002 sequel Porno, which picks up Renton’s story a decade on when he’s running a nightclub in Amsterdam.

“It won’t be just cashing in,” insists Boyle. “They’ve aged like we all do. It will be a very deliberate and imaginative approach.”

Source

By Celyn • December 08, 2010 • Rumours • Comments: 0

BAY City Rollers legend Les McKeown says he would like Ewan McGregor to play him in a film being planned about his life.
And he wants Sir Sean Connery to come out of retirement to take the role of the group’s former manager Tam Paton, who died last year.

The movie, which will chart McKeown’s time with the band and his later battle with alcoholism and drug abuse, is expected to coincide with a reunion tour by the Rollers next year.

Source

By Celyn • October 22, 2010 • Rumours • Comments: 0

Four of the UK’s top leading men are reportedly vying for the lead role in a film version of The Sweeney. Ewan McGregor, Tom Hardy, Daniel Craig and Orlando Bloom are all interested in co-starring opposite Ray Winstone, who is still attached to the project, reports The Playlist.

The film is a remake of the 1970s British TV police drama starring John Thaw and Dennis Waterman.

It will be directed by Nick Love (The Firm, The Football Factory), who wrote the script with original series writer Ian Kennedy Martin.

Source

By Celyn • July 09, 2010 • Rumours • Comments: 0