Danny Boyle

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Danny Boyle Biography

Danny Boyle (born 20.10.1956)

Danny Boyle is an Oscar-winning British film director. He launched his career with the film Trainspotting, an adaptation of an Irvine Welsh novel and in 2009, won the Best Director Academy Award for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.

Danny Boyle: Childhood

Danny Boyle was born in Radcliffe, Lancashire and his family was Irish Catholic. At the age of 14, Boyle asked to transfer from his regular school to a seminary but it has been reported that his priest warned him against joining the priesthood.

When he had completed his education at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton, Danny Boyle attended Bangor University, where he dated the actress Frances Barber.

Danny Boyle: Theatrical Career

Danny Boyle started working in the theatre with the Joint Stock Theatre Company. He later worked as Artistic Director for the Royal Court Theatre from 1982-5, progressing to the role of Deputy Director from 1985-7. Among his notable productions throughout his time at Royal Court were versions of Saved by Edward Bond and The Genius by Howard Brenton. Danny Boyle has also directed a number of productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Danny Boyle: Television Career

Danny Boyle started working in television in 1980 in Northern Ireland. He landed a job producing TV films such as Alan Clarke's Elephant. He later became a director on shows such as Not Even God Is Wise Enough, Inspector Morse and Mr. Wroe's Virgins.

In 2001, Danny Boyle took a break from film-making to direct two TV movies, Vacuuming Completely Nude In Paradise and Strumpet.

Danny Boyle: Film Career

Danny Boyle's feature film debut came in 1994 with Shallow Grave. The film starred Ewan McGregor, Keith Allen and Christopher Ecclestone and became a cult success. This was followed by the hugely successful Trainspotting, released in 1996. The film starred Ewan McGregor, Ewan Bremner and Kelly McDonald and, helped by a soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop, Blur and Primal Scream, became a global hit.

Spurred on by the success of the film, Boyle sought a studio deal in Hollywood. He turned down an offer to direct the fourth film in the Alien series and instead opted to make the film A Life Less Ordinary - starring Cameron Diaz - with British funding.

Returning to novel adaptations, Boyle filmed a version of The Beach by Alex Garland, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film was a moderate success, though the production team were heavily criticised for allegedly altering the natural landscape of the filming location, Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand.

Garland and Boyle went on to work together again, this time on the horror film 28 Days Later. The film starred Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris and spawned a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, though Boyle did not direct the follow-up.

In 2004, Danny Boyle directed Millions.

In 2007, Sunshine was released and marked another of Boyle's adaptations of an Alex Garland novel. The film was directed by Danny Boyle and starred Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne and Cliff Curtis.

2008 saw Boyle direct Slumdog Millionaire, which earned him his first Oscar. The film is set in Mumbai and focuses on a central character, played by Dev Patel who competes in the Indian version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?

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Danny Boyle Picture Gallery

the critics circle celebrates its centenary 070513
the critics circle celebrates its centenary 070513
the critics circle celebrates its centenary with a 070513
the critics circle celebrates its centenary with a 070513
the critics circle celebrates its centenary with a 070513

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The Latest Danny Boyle News

Rosario Dawson Accidentally Hypnotised Friend

1st May 2013

Rosario Dawson accidentally hypnotised her friend while preparing for 'Trance'.The 33-year-old actress plays a hypnotherapist who becomes embroiled in a...

Danny Boyle Applauds Hamish Hamilton At Bafta Tv Craft Awards

29th April 2013

Danny Boyle paid tribute to fellow director and former collaborator Hamish Hamilton as he scooped the top honour at the...

Rosario Dawson: Danny Is A 'kindred Spirit'

22nd April 2013

Rosario Dawson calls Danny Boyle a ''kindred spirit''.Although the 33-year-old actress recently split from her 56-year-old 'Trance' director, they are...

Danny Boyle Opens Up About Christopher Eccleston Mortuary Fears

16th April 2013

Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston was so afraid of getting locked in a real-life mortuary for a scene in...

Gerard Butler Wants Danny Boyle Work

13th April 2013

Gerard Butler wants to make a film with Danny Boyle. The 'Olympus Has Fallen' actor is a huge fan of...

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Danny Boyle Reviews

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

5th April 2013

It's a relatively quiet week for the movies, with no major releases this week as...

A Week In Movies featuring The Oscars Favourites, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn Crashing Google and Danny Boyle's Gory Trailer For Trance

22nd February 2013

It's Oscar weekend, so the stars are converging on Los Angeles for the big night...

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Danny Boyle Footage Film / Movie Reviews

Trance 2013, Review by Rich Cline

Danny Boyle is obviously having a ball with this thriller, deploying every cinematic trick he...

127 Hours 2010, Review by Rich Cline

Danny Boyle brings his considerable filmmaking energy to bear on this claustrophobic true story, and...

Slumdog Millionaire 2008, Review by Chris Cabin

Slumdog Millionaire, which is based on the novel Q&A by Indian diplomat/novelist Vikas Swarup, could...

28 Weeks Later... 2007, Review by Sean O'Connell

The grisly 28 Weeks Later... jettisons the director, cast, and recurring characters from the original...

Sunshine (2007) 2007, Review by Joel Meares

Danny Boyle could make watching paint dry compelling. From the frenzy of Trainspotting to the...

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The Latest Danny Boyle Press Releases

Rick Smith Composes Film Score For 'Trance' Danny Boyle's New Film

12th March 2013

Rick Smith and Emeli Emeli Sande co-write 'Here It Comes' for...

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