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 cast as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in "" (1999); the character was originally played by Sir Alec Guinness in the first "Star Wars" trilogy. While the prequels received criticism from some "Star Wars" fans, McGregor's performance was well received. He reprised the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi for the subsequent prequels "" (2002) and "" (2005). His uncle, Denis Lawson, had played Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy. McGregor starred in "Moulin Rouge!" (2001) as the young poet Christian, who falls in love with the terminally-ill courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman). He starred alongside Renée Zellweger in "Down With Love" (2003). He