Danny Boyle Page 4

As two of the big names behind Trainspotting come together again for T2, director Danny Boyle has revealed his "great shame" at the ten-year feud he and Ewan McGregor took part in after during the 90s and 00s.

Director Danny Boyle regrets his disagreement with actor, Ewan McGregor

Boyle also revealed he was very grateful to the 45-year-old actor for presenting him with a prestigious award after the two finally buried the hatchet.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Feels "Great Shame" Over Fall-Out With Ewan McGregor

Despite the eagerly awaited sequel to Trainspotting finally only under a week away after a decade of speculation, one of the actors has already started the rumour mill going about a potential third film.

Could there be a third Trainspotting?

Robert Carlyle, who plays Begbie in the motion pictures, has hinted that the third movie could centre around his anarchic character.

Continue reading: Is There Room For A Third Trainspotting Film?

Ahead of the release of the incredibly long-awaited sequel to Trainspotting, titled T2, in January, Ewan McGregor has spoken about reprising his character of Mark ‘Rent Boy’ Renton.

The 45 year old actor stars alongside the same cast from the legendary 1996 original, with Ewen Bremner playing Spud, Jonny Lee Miller playing Sick Boy and Robert Carlyle as the menacing Begbie.

T2 is based loosely upon Irvine Welsh’s novel ‘Porno’, itself the follow-up to the original novel that provided the source material for Trainspotting. Picking up the thread over two decades later, after Renton had made off with cash the foursome had earned at the end of the first film, the actor explained what his character was doing now.

Continue reading: Ewan McGregor Talks About His Character Renton From 'T2: Trainspotting'

One of the reasons why the movie Trainspotting was so beloved back in 1996 was its soundtrack, full of stars from the contemporary world of Britpop such as Elastica, Pulp, Underworld and Leftfield. But one of the biggest names in music was missing: that of Oasis, the biggest name on the scene.

It turns out that the Manchester legends were offered the opportunity to record a track for the movies, but that Noel Gallagher turned it down because he presumed the film to actually be about trainspotters, rather than poverty-stricken heroin addicts in Edinburgh.

Oasis performing in Heaton Park, Manchester in 2009

Continue reading: Oasis Turned Down 'Trainspotting' Soundtrack Because They Thought It Was Actually About Trainspotters

Ahead of its much-anticipated release in January next year, a brand new official teaser trailer has emerged for the Trainspotting sequel, and the first to feature new footage.

As the iconic opening music from the 1996 original film, Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust For Life’, plays again, a train rumbles past to reveal the four original cast members – Renton (Ewan McGregor), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Spud (Ewen Bremner) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) - standing in a line on the station platform, in a throwback scene to the first movie.

Danny Boyle in May 2016 shooting 'Trainspotting 2'

Continue reading: 'Trainspotting 2' Teaser Trailer, With First New Footage, Released

Fans of ‘90s classic Trainspotting have been anticipating a sequel to the beloved original for over two decades. Now they know exactly when their wait will be over, as a release date has finally been announced along with a teaser trailer.

T2, as it has been officially titled, will be released on January 27th, 2017.

Based on the Irvine Welsh novel ‘Porno’ from 2002, itself written as a sequel to his original ‘Trainspotting’ novel, the script by original writer John Hodge sees the original cast of Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner and Jonny Lee Miller re-unite with director Danny Boyle.

Continue reading: 'Trainspotting' Sequel Gets Release Date And Teaser Trailer

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

Trainspotting was one of the most iconic films of the nineties, as its tale of heroin addicts in Edinburgh caught the imagination of audiences around the world, and the announcement of its eventual sequel, some two decades after the original, has been one of the biggest movie news items of the year.

Robert Carlyle, one of the stars of the 1996 original who is returning to reprise his role as the psychotic Francis Begbie, has been speaking to NME about how much he’s looking forward to reuniting with director Danny Boyle and the rest of the cast – Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner and Jonny Lee Miller - when filming starts next year.

The 54 year old actor, who launched his career on the back of the original, described John Hodge’s script, which is only “very loosely based” on Irvine Welsh’s sequel novel ‘Porno’, as “one of the best scripts” he’s ever seen.

Continue reading: Robert Carlyle Says 'Trainspotting 2' Script Is The Best He's Ever Read

The odds are on for the predictions of the 88th Academy Award nominations, and it seems to be all about the biopics with four topping the odds for the Best Picture category and the same ones taking over the Best Director category.

There's been plenty of great movies this year but only five can be selected for a Best Picture nomination. Whilst there was unending hype for such flicks as 'Inside Out', 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'Spectre' and 'The Hateful Eight', they fail to make the top five when it comes to the betting odds.

Spotlight is the top favourite for Best Picture

Continue reading: Spotlight, The Revenant And Steve Jobs Among Oscars 2016 Predictions

Director Danny Boyle has expressed his dismay at the much-publicised box office failure of his new movie Steve Jobs after it failed to attract its anticipated audience, with the news that Universal has withdrawn it from over 2,000 screens in the U.S.

The 59 year old maestro was talking to the BBC ahead of the troubled movie’s release in Britain on Friday (November 13th). Despite the favourable reviews it received, it opened in a lowly seventh place two weekends ago, taking just $7.3 million from 2,493 locations. The studio reacted by dramatically scaled that number back to only 421 screens, and Boyle admitted that they had gone “too wide too soon” and should have built up more slowly from its limited release on October 9th.

Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs in the movie

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Expresses Disappointment At How 'Steve Jobs' Has Been Received By The Public

Studio Universal is dropping Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic from over 2,000 cinemas due to low ticket sales. The film, which stars Michael Fassbender as the Apple founder, as well as Seth Rogen and Kate Winslet, only grossed $16.7 million in the US in its first five weeks of release, just over half of its $30 million production cost.

Michael Fassbender stars as the Apple founder in Steve Jobs.

The film only opened on wide release two weeks ago, but it was available to watch in a select number of cinemas three weeks prior. During the initial screenings the film managed to gross half a million in just four cinemas, becoming the year's highest-grossing limited release.

Continue reading: Universal Drops 'Steve Jobs' Film From Over 2,000 Cinemas

Things are finally moving forward for Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic, with the final cast being confirmed and filming getting under way this week. As expected Michael Fassbender will play the Apple founder, while Seth Rogen will play his former partner Steve Wozniak.

It's official, Michael Fassbender will play Steve Jobs

The film’s full cast list was revealed today in a statement from Universal. Joining Fassbender and Rogen will be Kate Winslet as former Macintosh marketing executive Joanna Hoffman, Jeff Daniels as former Apple CEO John Sculley and Katherine Waterston as Jobs' ex-girlfriend, Chrisann Brennan.

Continue reading: Filming Finally Gets Underway On Steve Jobs Biopic, With Full Cast Finalised

If you’ve seen that Steve Jobs biopic starring Ashton Kutcher, you might think we’ve all had enough for a lifetime. Aaron Sorkin would beg  to disagree. The West Wing and Newsroom writing genius (no seriously, we should all bow down to the greatness of Aaron Sorkin) is planning another one. But wait, this one will be different, they promise! First off, this one has Sorkin, which is an advantage right off the bat. Also, Danny Boyle – he of Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and FREAKING OLYMPIC GAMES fame has been attached to direct. How’s that for an ensemble team?

And that’s not even the best bit!  Not that I’m trying  to sell you on the project or anything (I totally am) but guess who’s starring in the thing? No no, seriously. Guess.

Christian. Freaking. Bale. Batman will now play Steve Jobs in the new biopic. Given that I could watch Bale just sit and read the phonebook, I might not be the best judge for this, but I am excited and you should be too.

Continue reading: Big Announcement Time: Christian Bale Will Play Steve Jobs In New Biopic. Another One.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has confirmed that Oscar-winner Christian Bale will play Steve Jobs in a forthcoming biopic. Sorkin is working on an adaptation of Walter Isaacson's 2011 biography of Jobs, which Danny Boyle will direct. Leonardo DiCaprio was thought to be set for the lead, before passing to take a break from acting.

Christian Bale will play Steve Jobs in Aaron Sorkin's adapation of the great man's official biography

Speaking to Bloomberg Television's Emily Chang, Sorkin appeared to suggest that Bale was always the primary target, "We needed the best actor on the board in a certain age range and that's Chris Bale," he said, "He didn't have to audition. Well, there was a meeting."

Continue reading: Aaron Sorkin Confirms Bale For 'Jobs' Movie, "We Needed The Best Actor"

It’s all going on. Sony have revealed plans to make a film surround the late Steve Jobs’ life; Leonardo Dicaprio is favourite to play the former CEO and Danny Boyle is leading the pack to direct with David Fincher following closely behind.

Leo doing a spot of shopping

Of course, every time DiCaprio is even linked with a role, the same question is asked: Will Leonardo finally win an Oscar for his role in ‘insert movie here’. And this time is no different. 

Continue reading: Leonardo DiCaprio Odds-On For Steve Jobs Biopic, Danny Boyle Favourite To Direct

Danny Boyle is in talks to direct Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs movie, which could be a masterstroke given the script's original and unusual narrative. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Boyle will replace David Fincher on the high profile biopic, which plays out in only three scenes.

Danny Boyle Could Helm the Apple Movie

Boyle is perhaps the obvious choice to helm the project, though reports suggesting Leonardo Dicaprio could play the late Apple founder have raised eyebrows. Fincher originally left the project over his aggressive salary demands, though he also wanted Sony to nail down Christian Bale for the project. The studio did not comply, and speculation suggests they are eyeing Wolf of Wall Street star DiCaprio.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Is Perfect For Steve Jobs Movie - But Leonardo DiCaprio?

Having enjoyed his experience with Trance, Danny Boyle is set to take on the heist genre once again as he agrees to helm a movie adaption of the documentary, Smash & Grab. Pathe and Fox Searchlight will co-finance the movie that will see Boyle team up once again with his long-time producing partner, Christian Colsen, Variety report.

According to Variety, Boyle saw Smash & Grab and thought it was interesting - interesting enough to turn it into a movie. The Pink Panthers – the name Interpol gave the emphatic group of criminals – were renown for their diamond raids. In a timeframe of six years, the gang robbed 120 stores in 20 different countries, from Dubai to Geneva; from Japan to Paris.

Most recently, the Cannes jewellery heist hit the news, and the gang are suspected to have been involved. $136m worth of diamonds, gems and jewellery were stolen from the Carlton Hotel during the famous film festival. Their meticulous attention to detail was what won them success; painting a bench opposite a store they were hitting to ensure no one sat on it and saw them do it, is one example.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Planning Another Heist - This Time, It's Diamonds

Danny Boyle has agreed to adapt the documentary Smash and Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers into a feature-length film. The Trainspotting director chose the dramatisation of the in-depth documentary as his next project after watching it himself and being instantly taken by the premise of turning the real-life story behind the infamous Balkan jewel thieves into a blockbuster movie. Pathe and Fox Searchlight will co-finance the film with Boyle and his long-time collaborator Christian Colson.

The documentary features CCTV footage of the criminals in action as well as interviews with members of the infamous bandits, who are considered to be among the finest robbers in history. The Havana Marking-produced documentary will serve as the basis for the script being written for the big screen, with the film itself concentrating on the career criminals as a group and their many heist operations.

The director admitted in a statement that he was drawn to the film because it would take him in a different direction to his last three releases; Trance, 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire, all of which focus a leading cast member overcoming a seemingly impossible task.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle Signs On To Direct 'Pink Panthers' Movie

Danny Boyle is doing TV again! There’s a cause for celebration. The renowned director behind Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and, of course, the 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, has just entered a contract with Channel 4 to create a series, centered around the decline of the British Empire and the dawn of modern India.

The acclaimed director has announced a new project - a series this time.

The project certainly sounds like one to watch out for, although few details have been released at this very early stage. An additional creative choice that should get a lot of people excited is that the series, entitled Babylon, will be written by the creative team of Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. The two have some notable career highlights, including Peep Show and Fresh Meat, however they’re known mostly for their comedy work, so the new series might prove to be a challenge.

Continue reading: Danny Boyle's Teams Up With Channel 4 Again, For The Historical Series Babylon

Channel 4 has ordered a new series, directed by none other than Danny Boyle and detailing “the birth of modern India." Company execs have expressed their satisfaction with securing the highly sought after director behind productions like Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and, most recently, the 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

The director is mostly known for his cinematic projects. 

The plot thickens with the announcements that the as-of-yet unnamed series will reportedly be written by the team behind everyone’s favorite comedy series (or at least one of the top 5), Peep Show. BAFTA winners Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong’s writing credit also include shows like Fresh Meat and the controversial comedy Four Lions.

Continue reading: Channel 4 Has Ordered A Promising New Series Directed By Danny Boyle And Written By The Duo Behind 'Peep Show'

It's a relatively quiet week for the movies, with no major releases this week as everyone braces for the true launch of the summer blockbuster season with Tom Cruise sci-fi action Oblivion on 12th April, followed two weeks later by Robert Downey Jr's return for Iron Man 3. There won't be another quiet week until September, basically.

So in cinemas this week, the US and UK swap releases: American audiences will get their chance to see James McAvoy in Danny Boyle's sleek hypnosis thriller Trance, which is No 3 on the UK box office chart. While British cinemas will get a look at James Franco's scene-stealing wannabe rapper-gangster in Spring Breakers, which currently sits at No 9 on the US chart.

While out promoting last week's rather quietly released sci-fi adventure The Host, costars Max Irons and Jake Abel chatted about the on-set pranks between the co-stars, showing a considerable gift for improvised banter. They look a bit punchy after sitting in these seats answering questions for hours on end, but after lots of joking around, they eventually get to talking about the film. 

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Max Irons And Jake Abel Talk The Host While Percy Jackson, 2 Guns And We Steal Secrets Trailers Hit The Web

One of the highlights of the Olympics opening ceremony – curated and created by creative director Danny Boyle – was the Queens cameo. She volunteered herself to be part of the ceremony, rather than them use a stand in, like Helen Mirren.

Boyle, who was talking to Jonathan Ross ahead of the release of his new movie, Trance, said: "It was part of the protocol - you have to bring in the Head of State and sing the National Anthem - and we thought we'd (do) something different, so we wrote up this idea of the James Bond idea. And we sent it in to them, and we were asking really for permission for them to accept that it wouldn't embarrass them and we'd get a double, a good double, and we were thinking Helen Mirren.” But they didn’t need to even approach Mirren, as they were in line for the real thing. "They came back and said 'we're delighted for you to do it, and Her Majesty would like to be in it herself' - and the surreal thing, 'she would like to play herself'." The Oscar-winning director added: "She said 'what do you want me to do?', and I told her and she said 'fine'."

Danny Boyle hanging out at The BBC

Continue reading: The Queen Was Well Up For Olympics Appearance

Danny Boyle – the creative mind behind the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics – has declared any residual spirit from the game to be null. And the reason for this loss of merriment? The god damn recession, that’s what!

“I think it would be naive to say it could last. It is nice to have a fillip like that to feel good together, then you get back to your own private battles. Obviously we are in tough economic times, which means it is difficult to find jobs for people,” said the ever aware Boyle. “I think the most important factor for a country’s cohesion is that people have jobs that young people can go into. You can’t keep hoping the optimism of the opening ceremony and the Games will last.” Boyle was lauded for his directorial role in the ceremony, which took us on a political and socio-economic journey through the history and development of Great Britain. “The Olympics was a chance to show we are a decent country. We often criticise ourselves, which is a great quality, but occasionally you should stop and say, ‘No, this is a modern, progressive country and it is actually a beacon to the world in many ways’."

Boyle at the world premiere of Trance

Continue reading: Danny Boyle: Olympic Spirit Is OVER – Thanks Recession

The search is on for the next James Bond director, with Sam Mendes ruling himself out of a second 007 movie. But another prominent British director – this time Danny Boyle – has also stopped the speculation short by announcing his desire NOT to direct Bond 24.

Boyle, who was speaking at the premiere of his new film Trance, said: "It's not for me. I like working under the radar a bit more, so you can take risks. As we do with this film (Trance) and the perception of the characters - who's the antagonist? who's the protagonist? - it keeps changing in this film. And I love that freedom." And anyway, he added: "We did a sort of mini Bond film already, in the Olympics." So it’s a no from Boyle, and that will come as a real blow if the people behind the film actually wanted him; he’s become one of the most prominent auteurs of a generation, with films like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire garnering him considerable praise.

Continue reading: Bubble Burst For Bond Loving Boyle Fans As Director Turns Down 007

Ewan McGregor's Renton famously announced that he hadn't "felt that good since Archie Gemmill scored against Holland in 1978!" in Danny Boyle's classic Trainspotting in 1996. Now, two decades later, we could find ourselves checking in with the Glasgow addict again, though we doubt he's be feeling particularly euphoric about the state of Scottish football in recent years. After several false starts, filmmaker Boyle says a script for a Trainspotting sequel is in progress, based on Irvine Walsh's 2002 novel Porno. The Manchester-born director - who helmed the Olympic Games opening ceremony in London before turning down a Knighthood from the Queen - is planning to release the new film in 2016, on the 20th anniversary of the original.

"This has been a long time coming," the Oscar winning director told Canadian film website The Playlist. "There's always been this long term plan for Trainspotting 2." Encouragingly, Boyle believes the original cast could be re-assembled to play middle-aged versions of their characters, including McGregor. "I don't think there will be any barriers to Ewan or any of the cast coming back.The reason for doing it again is that people cherish the original, people remember it or have caught up with it if they never saw it because they were younger," the filmmaker added. 

It's likely that McGregor has been offered various unsavoury Trainspotting-linked projects in the past, though a sequel with Boyle at the helm will no doubt be too good to turn down. The Scottish actor has forged a hugely successful career since the movie, though he's perhaps guilty of taking big money mainstream roles over anything particularly challenging. Another stab at Renton could change that.

Continue reading: Trainspotting Sequel: Will Ewan McGregor Return? (And Other Questions)

Danny Boyle is back on track with a sequel to his hugely popular 1996 movie Trainspotting, which will be loosely based on Irvine Welsh’s novel Porno (itself a follow-up for the characters in Trainspotting).

What’s more, the famed Olympic opening ceremony hero reckons that if the script is good enough – and that duty falls on the shoulders of John Hodge – he’ll be able to tempt the original actors including Ewan McGregor, on to the project.

“This has been a long time coming," he said. "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," said Boyle, at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, IndieWire reports. "I think they'll wanna know that the parts are good so they don't feel like they are letting anyone down." Explaining his motivation behind creating a sequel for the Scottish junk-ridden comic drama, Danny revealed “The reason for doing it again is that people cherish the original, people remember it or have caught up with it if they never saw because they were younger.” He added: “so you want to make sure you don't disappoint people. That will be the only criteria I think."

Continue reading: 'Porno' News: Danny Boyle Back On Track For Trainspotting Sequel

It's Oscar weekend, so the stars are converging on Los Angeles for the big night on Sunday. Returning from the premiere of her new film Lovelace at the Berlin Film Festival, Amanda Seyfried was caught by the paparazzi as she landed at the airport to support Les Miserables, which has seven nominations including Best Picture. She signed autographs as she was ushered through the arrivals hall by her aggressive security team.

The press also caught up with Jennifer Lawrence as she made her way through the Los Angeles airport. She's the favourite to win Best Actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook and was also rushed through the arrivals hall while photographers snapped pictures. She managed to sign a few autographs along the way, and one of her minders can be seen putting her luggage in the back of her car, including a teddy bear.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Featuring The Oscars Favourites, Owen Wilson And Vince Vaughn Crashing Google And Danny Boyle's Gory Trailer For Trance

British newspaper The Evening Standard hosted their theater awards over the weekend, with an as-expected big win for Danny Boyle and the team behind the Olympic Games opening ceremony which took place in London earlier this summer.

Whilst the closing ceremony was largely forgettable – a parade of pop acts that reminded us all of Britain’s current superficial state – the opening event was a thing of wonder, something that took in the best of the country and added in a dose of self-depreciating humor to boot as it told of Britain’s development through the industrial age to the present day. The Guardian reports that the director of the event, Boyle, was presented the award for Beyond Theatre, which "celebrates theatricality outside the confines of the auditorium", by Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton.

The night wasn’t all the Olympic team’s though, with Nicholas Hytner also enjoying a fruitful evening. The National Theatre’s artistic director – who recently teamed up with Boyle in an attempt to prevent arts-funding cuts outside of London – won both the Lebedev special award and best director for his production of Timon Of Athens. Simon Russell Beale took the best actor award for the fourth time in his career meanwhile. There was success too for 29 year-old Nick Payne, who became the youngest playwright to pick up best play, for Constellations.

Ang Lee makes his latest assault on awards' season this week, when Life Of Pi hits theaters in the U.S. The magical 3-D tale is tipped for nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Oscars, though getting the public on-side and recording a large box-office opening would ultimately help its cause.

The movie - based on Yann Martel's thrilling novel of the same name - follows a young boy named Pi who sails from India to Canada with a cargo of zoo animals. When the ship sinks, he finds himself alone on a life-raft with only a Bengal tiger for company. Comparisons are already being made with Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, the multi-Academy Award winning 2008 movie that explored similar themes. Both films have young Indian lead characters who undergo intense inner journeys, as well as the literal adventures playing out on-screen. Both actors - Dev Patel in Slumdog and Suraj Sharma in Pi - were making their feature film debuts, though the former had some experience of television, whereas Sharma had next to no acting on his CV. Both films are visually stunning, with Danny Boyle's classic knocking the Academy for six with its rich colours and depiction of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai life. Ang Lee ultimately went down the 3-D route and anyone who has witnessed the preview trailer screening this year were utterly convinced he had made the correct decision. The vast seascape lends itself well to the new format and Lee has plenty of experience in making movies with aesthetics in mind. In terms of narratives, both movies are told through flashbacks with the tales eventually having religious connotations or messages.

Slumdog Millionaire was a true sleeper hit; a movie that appeared to come from nowhere before generating rapid pace as it hurtled towards awards' season. The Artist did something similar this year, as did The Hurt Locker in 2008. However, if Life of Pi is to challenge for Best Picture in February it will not be on the back of word of mouth - moviegoers will know how they feel about the movie pretty soon, with three months still to go before the Oscars. It sits at around fifth favorite with the bookmakers to win the biggest movie prize of them all, but Ben Affleck's Argo (the sleeper) and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln (the blockbuster) appear to have the bases covered.

Continue reading: Is Ang Lee's 'Life Of Pi' The New 'Slumdog Millionaire'?

At an event organized by 23 of the UK's arts and culture leaders, Danny Boyle has spoken about his outrage and disgust at the attitude that Arts, Culture and Sports Secretary Maria Miller has to her own domain. 

In a passionate speech, Boyle pointed out that Miller hadn't met any of the culture leaders present at the event, "Not one of [them] has been even approached by this woman. That is outrageous." He said, continuing "It's a disgrace: it is these artistic directors that are spending the taxpayers' money. And she's not met them. They are the people spending the money - she should be talking to them."

However, in contrast a spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that Miller "is a keen supporter of the arts and heritage, and has been all her life...She is very much looking forward to meeting more of our arts leaders." 

Continue reading: "It's A Disgrace": Danny Boyle On Maria Miller's Attitude To Arts And Culture

Actor/writer/director and all round renaissance-man Kenneth Branagh received his knighthood today at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II, having been told of his accolade following the announcement of Queen's birthday honours in June this year.

Sir Kenneth, who is perhaps best known for his Shakespearean roles both in front and behind the camera, also played a part in this year's Olympic opening ceremony, donning the trademark stove-pipe hat as he played Britain's most famous industrialist Sir Isambard Kingdom Brunel at the start of Danny Boyle's breathtaking spectacle.

Branagh was not the only person honoured in the Birthday list from the entertainment industry, with X Factor judge and Diamond Jubilee organiser Gary Barlow recognised with an OBE for his services to the entertainment industry and to charity. Comedy writer Armando Iannucci, known for his work on sitcoms such as The Thick Of It and I'm Alan Partridge, was also given an OBE in the honours.

Continue reading: Arise Sir Kenneth: Kenneth Branagh Knighted By The Queen At Buckingham Palace

Tower Hamlets Council (London) has been widely criticised for its decision to sell off a £20 million Henry Moore sculpture.

The sculpture in question, named Draped Seated Woman, was originally sold by the artist, to the council, in the 1960s, for £6,000. When he did so, it was under the strict proviso that the sculpture be placed in an under-privileged area. However, when the sculpture was vandalised with graffiti, it was “quietly” removed and placed in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield, The Evening Standard reports.

The sculpture, now restored, has remained at the open-air sculpture gallery ever since but now, Tower Hamlets Council has made the decision to sell the artwork to raise funds. Henry Moore’s family have been critical of the decision, as has Sharon Arment, the director of the Museum of London, who claims that her offer to house the sculpture at the museum’s Docklands site was “not even explored.” She urged the council to think again. Moore’s daughter, Mary Moore commented “The problem with selling off the family silver is when you do it’s gone.” The film director Danny Boyle was similarly disgusted at the decision, saying “The sculpture belongs to the people of Tower Hamlets and should stay in public ownership.”

Continue reading: Criticism From All Corners: Tower Hamlets Council To Sell £20 Million Henry Moore Sculpture