'The script is really, really, really good': Ewan McGregor reveals hotly-anticipated Trainspotting sequel will start filming in May

By Victoria Finan For Mailonline

Published: 08:43 EST, 31 March 2016 | Updated: 09:03 EST, 31 March 2016

Trainspotting 2 will begin filming in May.

Ewan McGregor has confirmed work on the long awaited sequel to the 1996 indie hit is set to begin in a mere matter of weeks and claims the script is 'really, really, really good'.

He said in an interview with Collider: 'We haven't started yet, we start shooting at the end of May. The script only arrived very recently, which was really, really, really good.

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They're back! Trainspotting 2 will begin filming in May. Ewan McGregor has confirmed work on the long awaited sequel to the 1996 indie hit is set to begin in a mere matter of weeks and claims the script is 'really good'

They're back! Trainspotting 2 will begin filming in May. Ewan McGregor has confirmed work on the long awaited sequel to the 1996 indie hit is set to begin in a mere matter of weeks and claims the script is 'really good'

'I think, if that had not happened, none of us would be into it. I think we're all sort of somewhat protective of what Trainspotting means to people, and what it means to us.'

The 44-year-old actor - who is reprising his role as Mark Renton - also insisted he wouldn't have signed up for the sequel if it hadn't had an 'extraordinary script'.

Ewan added: 'None of us want to make a poor sequel to it. So had we not been presented with the most extraordinary script, which we were, I think we wouldn't be making the sequel. But because we were, we are.'

Excitement for the new film has reached fever-pitch ever since director Danny Boyle said that all four of the original film's stars - Ewan, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, and Ewen Bremner - were back on board for a sequel - although the dates of filming have been sketchy until now.

Iconic: Ewan played Mark Renton in the original film, which is regarded as one of the all-time indie classics

Iconic: Ewan played Mark Renton in the original film, which is regarded as one of the all-time indie classics

Meanwhile, Robert Carlyle - who has also signed up for the sequel - previously admitted he is 'wary' of the new movie.

He said: 'It's nerve-wracking to a certain extent, because I'm obviously aware of just how much people loved the original film.

'People still quote lines to me on a f***ing daily basis. I get it everywhere; I can't f***ing escape it! But I'm grateful for it too - [my character] Begbie has been f***ing terrific for me and my career.

'So therefore - and I think probably if you asked the rest of the boys, they'd feel the same - I'm slightly wary about it all.'

Reunited: Johnny Lee Miller (left), Ewan McGregor (second left), and Ewen Bremmer (right) will all return for the film - but they will not be joined by Kevid McKidd (second right) whose character died in the original film

Reunited: Johnny Lee Miller (left), Ewan McGregor (second left), and Ewen Bremmer (right) will all return for the film - but they will not be joined by Kevid McKidd (second right) whose character died in the original film

Classic: The film's black, white and orange promotion materials have become iconic

Classic: The film's black, white and orange promotion materials have become iconic

Last year, Danny Boyle said that scheduling conflicts was the main problem in getting together the original cast.

But now it seems a window has been found for the new film, adapted from the 2002 novel Porno penned by author Irvine Welsh, who played Mikey Forrester in the first flick.

In the book, Simon 'Sick Boy' Williamson enlists his pal Mark 'Rent Boy' Renton to help him make a porn film just as Francis 'Franco' Begbie is released from prison.

Trainspotting was shot in Glasgow for seven weeks on a $2M budget, but it managed to amass $72M at the worldwide box office.

The British dramedy - set in Edinburgh - is considered a classic by critics and it also spawned two thrilling soundtracks.

Its famous 'Choose Life' slogan is one of the best known quotes from a modern film, and posters bearing the motto adorn the bedrooms of many a Trainspotting fan across the world.

Unfortunately, Kevin McKidd won't be back as Thomas 'Tommy' MacKenzie since his character died from HIV-related toxoplasmosis.

There's still hope for the return of Kelly Macdonald, who was 19 when she was picked from obscurity to play 14-year-old Diane Coulston.

Box office smash: Trainspotting was shot in Glasgow for seven weeks on a $2M budget, but it managed to amass $72M at the worldwide box office

Box office smash: Trainspotting was shot in Glasgow for seven weeks on a $2M budget, but it managed to amass $72M at the worldwide box office

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