Trainspotting (film) discussing which chapters of the book would and would not translate into film. Hodge finished the first draft by December. Macdonald secured financing from Channel 4, a British television station known for funding independent films. Pre-production began in April 1995. Ewan McGregor was cast after impressing Boyle and Macdonald with his work on their previous film, "Shallow Grave". According to Boyle, for the role of Renton, they wanted the quality of Michael Caine's character in "Alfie" and Malcolm McDowell's character in "A Clockwork Orange", "repulsive ... with charm "that makes you feel deeply ambiguous about what he's doing." McGregor shaved
Ewan McGregor Ewan McGregor Ewan Gordon McGregor (born 31 March 1971) is a Scottish actor and director, known internationally for his various film roles, including independent dramas, science-fiction epics, and musicals. McGregor's first professional role was in 1993, when he won a leading role in the British Channel 4 series "Lipstick on Your Collar". Some of his best known roles include heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama films "Trainspotting" (1996) and "T2 Trainspotting" (2017), Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy (1999–2005), poet Christian in the musical film "Moulin Rouge!" (2001), young Edward Bloom in "Big Fish" (2003), Rodney