Trainspotting sequel previews in chilly Scotland
Fans and stars braved freezing Scottish weather to flock to the premiere of T2 Trainspotting on January 22, the sequel to the era-defining story of Edinburgh drug addicts Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and thug Begbie two decades on. The original Trainspotting tracked the sordid and tragicomic side of Scottish street life via the friends' drug-addled criminal activity set to a pulsating soundtrack. The 1996 film won huge critical acclaim and gave voice to a largely unknown section of British society.
Like the first film, T2 Trainspotting contains elements of shameless fun, heart-racing sequences and excruciating moments. But it is essentially about the nature of friendship, getting older and the far-reaching consequences of a risky youth.
Trainspotting won a cult following and propelled the careers of all its cast, headed by Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle. It also launched novelist Irvine Welsh and director Danny Boyle who went on to win a clutch of Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire and directed Britain's Olympics opening ceremony.
“(The script) was clever and personal and emotional and we were thrilled to get to play these people again. There’s something about them that we feel that we know them, that they are friends of ours,” McGregor, who plays anti-hero Renton, told Reuters.
Welsh, who wrote Trainspotting and Porno, the sequel novel on which the new film is loosely based, told Reuters he preferred the second film to the first.
“The first one is a big energy rush and ... it showed people a world that many people didn’t know existed at the time,” he said. “This one is much more layered, it’s much deeper. It still has that visceral kind of energy but it kind of unravels.” - Reuters
Gavin Rossdale opens up on Gwen Stefani divorce
Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale says he and singer Gwen Stefani were together for a “lovely 20 years” and that in itself is “pretty incredible”.
The 51-year-old rocker opened up to Fabulous magazine about Stefani, reports etonline.com. "(Divorce) was completely opposite to what I wanted," he said. "But here we are. Apart from death, I think divorce is one of the hardest, most painful things to go through."
Stefani filed for divorce in 2015, citing “irreconcilable differences”. Shortly thereafter, reports emerged that Rossdale was in a three-year affair with the couple’s nanny while Stefani was pregnant with their third child, Apollo. Rossdale didn’t confirm whether the rumours were true, but said: “I have to deal with reality. You cannot have regrets and be human at the same time. There are lots of scenarios (I’d like to change).”
Still, Rossdale says he is grateful for the ample time he shared with Stefani. “We had 20 years together and that in itself is pretty incredible. It’s a lifetime. It was a lovely 20 years and we have three amazing children. There were a lot of positives, and with time they’ll become more and more obvious,” said Rossdale. — IANS
Jackie Chan brings Kung Fu Yoga to Kapil Sharma Show
Action-star Jackie Chan will be seen promoting his forthcoming multilingual action-adventure comedy film Kung Fu Yoga in the upcoming episode of popular comedy show The Kapil Sharma Show.
Funnyman-actor Kapil Sharma, who hosts the Sony Entertainment Television show, took to Twitter on Monday to announce the news. "Oh my God. Jackie Chan on The Kapil Sharma Show," Kapil tweeted.
Kung Fu Yoga is part of the three-film agreement signed between India and China during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India. The film also stars actress Amyra Dastur and Sonu Sood. It is reported that the Hindi film stars have performed some adrenalin-pumping action sequences in the movie.
Directed by Stanley Tong, Kung Fu Yoga, which has been shot in Dubai, Iceland, Beijing and India, is slated to release on February 3. — IANS
Actor Taron Egerton on his new Robin Hood film
Actor Taron Egerton (pictured right) insists his new take on Robin Hood will be "rock 'n' roll," and will not see him wearing tights. "The moment someone presents me with a pair of tights, I'm calling it quits. It's going to have a rock 'n' roll quality to it. I'm not sure that anybody has completely nailed Robin Hood yet," Egerton told Total Film magazine. "I'm quietly hoping this is the one that's going to get it right — and it's going to do it without any tights," he added. Egerton, who admits his Robin is "highly flawed and not even that likeable", was hesitant to even look at the script for the movie as he wasn't sure whether there was a "need" for a new take on the tale.
“When I was first sent the script I was hesitant to even engage with it. I think there’s a very large question mark over whether the world needs another ‘Robin Hood’. But it’s completely revisionist. Very dark and very character-driven. It’s fairly unrecognisable as a period film,” he said.
The Kingsman and Eddie the Eagle actor, who was previously touted as a future Han Solo, stars alongside Jamie Foxx’s Robin Hood as Little John in the movie. — The National Staff
Luke Bryan joins Lady Gaga for Super Bowl
Luke Bryan will perform the United States national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, he confirmed on Twitter on Sunday. Bryan joins Lady Gaga on the Super Bowl 51 line-up. While he’ll be opening the game, Gaga was previously announced as the 2017 halftime show performer. She will be performing without guests. “Excited to perform the National Anthem on @NFL’s biggest stage #SB51. See y’all in Houston,” Bryan tweeted. The Super Bowl will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston on February 5. — The National Staff
