The Broons tonight on BBC 1 Scotland

As Scotland's favourite family prepare to celebrate their 70th anniversary, celebrities such as Elaine C Smith, Ford Kiernan and Tam Cowan recall their favourite moments from this great national treasure, while scriptwriter Tom Morton, and artist Peter Davidson reveal some of the secrets behind the making of the strip as they prepare for the new year anniversary edition. Narrated by Ewan McGregor.

On BBC 1 Scotland, at 9pm. 30 mins.

Source: BBC 1 Scotland

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Friday, December 30, 2005 // 12:13 p.m.

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Interviews with Ewan at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has two interviews with Ewan to promote the 2-disc version of Long Way Round (we still recommend that you buy the 3-disc version at amazon.ca).

There's a video clip that begins with an old promo for Long Way Round followed by Ewan speaking about the trip and there's an interview with Ewan and Charley that was done by Amazon via telephone (unfortunately the sound quality isn't very good) that's worth a listen!

Thanks to Woosgirl for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 // 08:27 p.m.

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Listen Online to Ewan on BBC Radio 1

Ewan was on BBC Radio 1 in the UK for Newsbeat today, Friday 16th December. You can listen to that interview again, it was about his time for UNICEF in Malawi. The interview will be available today only.

Go to the BBC Radio 1 website's Newsbeat page, and click on "Latest programme" on the upper-right. Ewan is on 10 minutes into the programme.

Thanks to londinensa and Georginita for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Friday, December 16, 2005 // 01:34 p.m.

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Listen Online to Ewan on BBC Radio 2

Ewan was on BBC Radio 2 in the UK for the Jeremy Vine Show today, Thursday 15th December. You can listen to that interview again, it was about his time for UNICEF in Malawi. The interview will be available for one week.

Go to the BBC Radio 2 website's Jeremy Vine page, click on "Thu" (Thursday) in the "Listen again" section; Ewan is on for the last 20 minutes.

Thanks to Natascha for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, December 15, 2005 // 02:10 p.m.

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McGregor sees Malawi 'Aids' parliament

Wednesday, 14 December 2005
By Fergus Walsh, BBC News health correspondent

As Ewan McGregor walked into the orphan care centre in Malawi the children began to sing their song of welcome.

They are some of the half a million youngsters who've lost one or both parents to Aids.

This was McGregor's first visit as Unicef ambassador - a five day packed schedule visiting hospitals, community projects and people's homes.

At the orphan affairs unit, we met scores of children whose lives had been turned upside down by Aids.

Yet with the education, finance and guidance they get here they are upbeat about the future, not downcast.

The centre helps look after younger siblings while they attend school.

We met a group of 50 teenagers who've formed their own parliament.

They have "MPs" in all the surrounding villages.

Together they discuss problems and provide support, counselling and sexual health advice. Many are HIV positive.

Children orphaned by Aids are encouraged to use theatre, dance, writing and painting to express how the disease has affected them.

'Mind-boggling'

But Ewan McGregor also saw how Aids is robbing children of their youth.

We met Salome, who's 12. Both her parents died of Aids-related diseases, so now she is sole carer for her four-year-old brother and her blind grandmother.

And wherever we travelled in Malawi we came across similar stories.

Aids is wreaking havoc in Malawi. Some of the health statistics here are mind-boggling.

One in five children die before they are five. One in eight women die in childbirth. And average life expectancy has plummeted to just 39 years.

There are 70,000 children in Malawi who are HIV positive.

Almost all were infected at birth, the virus passing from their mother. Only now are anti-retroviral drugs becoming available here which can dramatically improve the chance of a baby staying free of the disease.

One mother, Esnort, who's 32 weeks pregnant, allowed us to witness her HIV test.

She waited 15 minutes and then the result came back. She has the virus.

At least now Esnort and her baby will receive the drugs which should keep them healthy.

And there's another crisis here. Malawi is facing its worst food shortage in over a decade.

Millions are dependant on food handouts. Hunger and HIV make a potent combination.

Both suppress the immune system - together they accelerate the onset of Aids-related disease.

Ewan McGregor was clearly deeply affected by all he saw. "I hope I can use my position to highlight the needs of the children here", he said.

"When I return to Britain I can give talks and help fund-raise for Unicef.

"I will know what I'm talking about because I've seen it with my own eyes.

"British people are very generous but it's very hard to keep such causes in the public eye. Just a small amount can make a big difference."

McGregor is planning a motorbike trip from John O'Groats to Cape Town and hopes to visit Unicef projects along the way including meeting again some of the remarkable children here.

BBC News video clip here.

Source: BBC News

Thanks to Roxanne and Ellie for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 // 07:31 p.m.

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Ewan McGregor highlights plight of children affected by AIDS

14 December 2005

Actor Ewan McGregor returned from Malawi this week following his first field trip as a UNICEF Ambassador. The five day trip was an opportunity to see first hand how children are paying a disproportionately high price in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and what still needs to be done to reach the thousands who are orphaned or living with HIV/AIDS.

Malawi, one of the countries most affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, is home to half a million children who have been orphaned and nearly a million people living with the disease. 70,000 children die of AIDS-related illnesses across Malawi every year.

On his return to the UK earlier this week, Ewan McGregor made an urgent plea for action to reach the millions of children needing care, medicines and support.

“Children in Malawi are facing uncertain futures,” McGregor highlighted. “Their mothers and fathers, teachers, aunts, uncles, doctors and nurses are simply dying around them because of AIDS. They are left alone, forced to grow up too fast, robbed of their childhoods and missing out on the play, love and education they need.”

“Though many are being reached through the UNICEF projects I saw during my trip, we need to urgently reach the ones who are still all alone. UNICEF is calling on everyone – world leaders, governments, corporates and the general public - to unite in action against AIDS and put children at the centre of the global response,” he continued.

The visit took place just 6 weeks after UNICEF launched its largest ever global campaign for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The campaign, Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS, highlights for the first time how children are the missing face of the AIDS pandemic. It reveals how children are missing out of the global response to the pandemic; across the world, fewer than 5 % of children in need of anti-retroviral treatment are receiving it and fewer than 10% of the worlds’ 15 million children orphaned by AIDS are receiving any external assistance.

The global campaign aims to achieve measurable progress for children affected by AIDS, based on goals in four areas:

• Prevention of mother-to-child transmission: The vast majority of the half-million children under the age of 15 who die from AIDS-related illnesses globally every year contract HIV through mother-to-child transmission. The campaign aims by 2010 to provide 80 percent of women in need with access to services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. Currently less than 10 per cent of women have access to these services.
• Pediatric treatment: Less than 5 per cent of HIV-positive children in need of AIDS treatment are receiving it, and only 1 per cent of children born to HIV-infected mothers have access to cotrimoxazole, a low-cost antibiotic that can nearly halve child deaths from AIDS by fighting off deadly infections. The campaign aims by 2010 to provide antiretroviral treatment and/or cotrimoxazole to 80 percent of children in need.
• Prevention: Adolescents and young people age 15-24 account for roughly half of all new HIV infections, but the vast majority of young people have no access to the information, skills and services needed to protect themselves from HIV. The campaign aims by 2010 to reduce the percentage of young people living with HIV by 25 per cent, in line with agreed international goals.
• Protection and support of children affected by AIDS: By 2010, it is estimated that there will be 18 million children who have lost at least one parent to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Well before parents die, children – especially girls – have to take on adult tasks such as caring for the sick, looking after younger siblings, generating income to pay for health costs, or producing food. Often they must drop out of school. The campaign aims by 2010 to reach 80 per cent of children most in need of public support and services.

“UNICEF urgently needs money to help give orphans the care and support they need,” Ewan added. “We need drastically increase the number of vital prevention and education projects for young people in Malawi and across the world and ensure access to ARV drugs for all, including children, before 2010.”

For more information on UNICEF’s new campaign, Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS, visit www.unicef.org.uk/aids.

Source: UNICEF

Thanks to Gina for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 // 07:21 p.m.

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Ewan McGregor Speaks Gospel of Dakar with BMW Team

Photos by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Click for larger versions

LONDON — Scottish man's man, Ewan McGregor, along with racer Charley Boorman, pose for photographs as one of the new BMW F650 GS Dakar race bikes is unveiled at the official team launch. Boorman and his Race to Dakar team-mates of Simon Pavey and Matt Hall will contest the 16-day 2006 Dakar Rally and ride over 8,500 km encompassing some of the most gruelling off-road terrain imaginable.

There are more pictures at Getty Images.

Source: MPH Magazine

Thanks to Baby Jefer and Elyse for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 // 12:54 p.m.

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Win a Motorcycle Jacket Signed by Ewan

Fox Reality will give one Grand-Prize winner a leather riding jacket signed by Ewan McGregor.

500 First-Prize winners will receive a copy of the Long Way Round DVD -- filled with extra unaired footage -- and the companion book "Chasing Shadows Around the World."

Enter to win! Only 1 entry per day per email address will count toward the drawing. Contest ends at 11:59pm PST on December 18, 2005 and naturally it is open only to US residents. Lots of other contest rules to read on the site before you fill out the entry form. Click on the link above to enter.

Thanks to Barbara for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, December 12, 2005 // 10:47 p.m.

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Jings! Ewan McGregor’s joining The Broons

By David Lewis

Forget Ben Kenobi — it’s Hen Broon who Ewan McGregor really hero-worships.

And the Star Wars idol is about to prove it by laying aside his lightsabre and picking up some black bun on Hogmanay.

That’s when the Crieff-born star will be guest of honour at the Broons’ 70th birthday party.

Ewan is to narrate a special one-off documentary — Happy Birthday Broons! — on BBC1 Scotland on December 31 and he’ll reveal his lifelong love of Scotland’s favourite comic-strip family.

Delighted

David Devenney, of production company angel eye, said, “We were delighted he was really keen to get involved in the narration.

“His fondness for the The Broons really shone throughout the recording, as he laughed and joked about his favourite characters. His parting suggestion was that our next project should be Broons: The Movie!”

The man who shot to fame in Trainspotting — a film Maw and Paw Broon ensured never made it into Horace’s video collection — is one of the legions around the world who keep up to date with the goings-on in Glebe Street via the Christmas annual.

And it’s all thanks to his mum. Carol McGregor said, “I always make sure Ewan gets his copy of The Broons Book, no matter where he is in the world.

Tradition

“It’s a family tradition and he knows it’s coming every time. He always used to get it when he was younger and he loves it because it’s just so typically Scottish. He finds it a bit of a laugh.”

On Hogmanay, Ewan will lead viewers through the history of The Broons from their birth in 1936, showing how their escapades have won the hearts of readers ever since.

He’ll not be alone. Ford Kiernan, Elaine C. Smith and Tam Cowan are just some of the Scots celebrities who’ll recall their favourite Broons memories.

The family’s band of followers will no doubt all have their own enduring memories. But David Donaldson, managing editor of children’s publications at publishers DC Thomson & Co, says it’s impossible to pick his highlight.

He reflected, “There can never be a definitive Broons episode as everyone has their own favourite.

“But for me, the one that contains all the essential elements of a typical story appeared on July 23, 1950. It’s the beginning of their summer holiday fortnight and they end up with a gypsy caravan. Even though it’s obvious something will happen, the storyline still holds the readers’ attention.”

Exploits

He went on, “Even I struggle to describe just what it means to the millions of folk who follow their exploits. Almost every reader has been able to relate to one or other of Clan Broon.

“Whether it’s weight-watcher Daphne in her 70-year struggle to find the ‘richt lad’ or a big laddie like Hen trying to play down his height.

“Every reader is rightly a critic and such is the affection for the strip that change does not always go down well.”

The doors of 10 Glebe Street opened to readers of The Sunday Post on March 8, 1936, with Maw, Paw and the rest of the family winning almost instant fame.

Illustrator Dudley D. Watkins was less than hopeful about the project, reportedly telling his wife it would only last a few months.

But since then there have been nearly 4000 weekly episodes — and this Christmas sees the 32nd edition of The Broons annual. Early copies of the annual now change hands for thousands of pounds.

The Broons was the brainchild of R. D. Low, who apparently based characters on his own family and DC Thomson colleagues.

Stardom

It claimed international stardom during World War 2 when Joe and Hen were sent into battle, while life back home realistically reflected domestic existence during wartime.

David Donaldson said, “Thousands of Scottish soldiers had copies of The Sunday Post sent out to keep in touch with life on Glebe Street. Family life in the tenement flat characterised the spirit of Britain at war.”

After Watkins’s death in 1969 it was left to others to pick up the pencil and keep the family alive.

It’s now illustrated by Peter Davidson in his studio in Glen Esk, with the storylines penned by author and broadcaster Tom Morton at his home on Shetland.

They’ll all feature in the documentary and the lives of all the characters will be fully examined, shedding light on their ongoing appeal and strong family values.

But what would happen if Ewan knocked on Number 10’s door? Would the rest of the family be killed in the rush as Maggie and Daphne fought to be first to click?

Whatever the outcome, Granpaw would no doubt sum it up in five famous words — “Jings, crivvens, help ma boab”.

Source: The Sunday Post

Thanks to Baby Jefer for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 // 09:03 p.m.

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Unite Against AIDS

UNICEF Ambassadors are showing their support for children affected by AIDS. Ewan McGregor became a UNICEF Ambassador shortly after his return from a round-the-world motorbike journey, the ‘Long Way Round’, during which he was able to stop off and see first hand the problems facing children and what UNICEF is doing to help.

Watch his and other ambassadors' messages by clicking on the link below.

Source: UNICEF

Thanks to Baby Jefer for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Sunday, December 4, 2005 // 04:45 p.m.

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What's on Stage Theatregoers' Choice Nominees Announced

30th November 2005

The full list of nominations for our 2005/2006 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards were announced today, 30 November 2005, at a star-studded celebratory event held at Planet Hollywood.

In this, our sixth annual public-voted awards, more than 1,000 theatregoers took part in determining the shortlisted contenders across 20+ awards categories including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best New Musical, Best New Play as well as less conventional categories like Best Ensemble Performance, Best Off-West End Production, Best Regional Production and the Planet Hollywood Theatre Event of the Year.

The two new blockbuster West End musicals of the year, Billy Elliot – fresh from its win at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards – and Mary Poppins lead the way with ten and nine nominations respectively, with the revival of Broadway classic Guys & Dolls following close behind with eight nominations.

Here are the Guys & Dolls-related nominations:

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:

• Daniel Evans - Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory
• Douglas Hodge - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Ewan McGregor - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Gavin Lee - Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward
• George Maguire, James Lomas & Liam Mower - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace
• Neil Patrick Harris - Tick Tick Boom at the Menier Chocolate Factory

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:

• Anna-Jane Casey - Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory
• Haydn Gwynne - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace
• Jane Krakowski - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Jenna Russell - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Julie Walters - Acorn Antiques at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
• Laura Michelle Kelly - Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:

• Adam Garcia - On the Town, ENO at the London Coliseum
• David Haig - Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward
• Joe Caffrey - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace
• Martyn Ellis - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Simon Gleeson - The Far Pavilions at the Shaftesbury
• Tim Healy - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL:

• Guys & Dolls - at the Piccadilly
• Hair - at the Gate
• HMS Pinafore - at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park
• On the Town - ENO at the London Coliseum
• Scrooge - at the London Palladium
• Sunday in the Park with George - at the Menier Chocolate Factory

THE LONDON CALLING BEST DIRECTOR:

• Alan Rickman - My Name Is Rachel Corrie at the Royal Court
• Melly Still - Coram Boy at the NT Oliver
• Michael Grandage - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly
• Phyllida Lloyd - Mary Stuart at the Apollo
• Richard Eyre & Matthew Bourne - Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward
• Stephen Daldry - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace

BEST CHOREOGRAPHER:

• Adam Cooper - Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Sadler’s Wells
• Ann Yee - Hair at the Gate
• Jason Pennycooke - The Big Life at Theatre Royal Stratford East & the Apollo
• Matthew Bourne & Stephen Mear - Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward
• Peter Darling - Billy Elliot at the Victoria Place
• Rob Ashford - Guys & Dolls at the Piccadilly

You can vote by clicking on the link below!

Vote for What's on Stage Theatregoers' Choice Awards

Source: Whatsonstage.com

Thanks to Barbara and Steffi for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 // 10:02 p.m.

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Mayhem at Tonight's Guys and Dolls Performance

A friend of mine went to tonight's performance and... let's just say that Ewan and Jane completely lost it! It must have been quite a treat to see!

"Saw this evening's performance of Guys & Dolls and for a full 5 minutes Jane Krakowski (Adelaide) and Ewan totally lost it. I'm going to paraphrase the line that Ewan/Sky says: You gals! The minute you marry some guy, you take him in for alterations! Before Jane/Adelaide can respond with her line, a baritone voice from the audience yells out "YEAH!" Ewan held his character but Jane started laughing, got control and then started laughing harder. Ewan starts laughing and the audience went absolutely wild. Seriously, this lasted a good two - three minutes until finally Ewan pushes back his hat, walks over to Jane and proceeds to hug and kiss the hell out of her. What a moment! I guess knowing their roles are coming to an end and having been at it since May, it must have just got to them. Jane finally composed herself, looked at the audience and said, "Take two!" When she finally said her line about men being normal, a good part of the female audience started hooting and hollering. Live theater, you gotta love it."

Thanks to (she asked that her name not be posted) for the report!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, November 28, 2005 // 10:44 p.m.

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Long Way Round 10-episode series on DVD in North America!

amazon.ca has seen the light: they will be offering the 10-episode, 3-disc Long Way Round series on DVD! This is the one you want to have. They will sell it for $20.29 (regular price is $28.98)

PLEASE NOTE: amazon.ca is selling again the 3-disc version. Thanks to Justine for the update!

Thanks to Woosgirl for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, November 28, 2005 // 07:54 p.m.

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Tomorrow's Guys and Dolls Performance Cancelled

Update: ITV will broadcast the Royal Variety Performance on December 11 from 8pm to 10:30pm. Thanks to Ester and tinytartplaymate for the heads up!

According to several fans who were at the Piccadilly Theatre this past week, the November 21 performance of Guys and Dolls has been cancelled due to the cast appearing at the Royal Variety Performance. From the press release (PDF): "The cast will give a special performance of Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat – the biggest number from the hit show.

The Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on ITV1. Although Ewan is not in that that production number, it's a great chance to see a fantastic part of the show.

Thanks to Fuumin and Violet for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Sunday, November 20, 2005 // 09:47 a.m.

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Gromit film makes Oscar longlist

Thursday, 17 November 2005

Wallace and Gromit's first film has made it on to the longlist for the best animated feature Oscar.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is among 10 films to make the list, with the final nominations to be announced on 31 January.

Another British-made film, Valiant, which was voiced by Ricky Gervais and Ewan McGregor, is also in the running.

They will compete against the likes of Chicken Little, Robots and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.

Aardman Animations has previously won best short animated film Oscars for two Wallace and Gromit short films and Creature Comforts.

The other films on the list are Gulliver's Travel, Hoodwinked, Howl's Moving Castle, Madagascar and Steamboy.

The winner will be announced in the full Academy Awards ceremony on 5 March.

Released last month, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit has been a number one film in both the US and the UK, as well as topping the international box office chart outside North America.

A fire destroyed hundreds of props used by Aardman Animations four days after its UK release.

Source: BBC News

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Friday, November 18, 2005 // 07:48 a.m.

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Celebrities donate watches to help fight global diseases of poverty

‘The Race against time’

26.10.05
LEPRA press release

On 18th November 2005 LEPRA will be launching its fourth annual celebrity auction. This years’ appeal is backed by actor and comedian Mel Smith and watches have already been donated by a host of rich and famous celebrities. Those who have supported LEPRA’s appeal so far include Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Joanna Lumley, Sir Alex Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Eric Clapton, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Botham and Padraig Harrington.

The chosen theme of “time” highlights the crucial importance of early diagnosis and treatment to help reduce the risk of disease transmission and help save lives. LEPRA works in ten of the world’s most deprived countries to fight leprosy and other diseases of poverty including HIV, TB and malaria. Increasingly the charity’s work focuses on community health education and provides people with the knowledge to protect themselves where possible, identify the early signs of disease and find appropriate treatment when needed.

By bidding in LEPRA’s watch auction, anyone can make a contribution to the cause whilst walking off with a select piece of celebrity memorabilia just in time for Christmas. The auction will take place on ebay’s charity site and our experience suggests that business will be brisk. You can log on to LEPRA’s auction on Ebay from the 18th November. If you want an early glimpse of what will be up for grabs, including watches by Tag Heuer, CK, Hugo Boss, Mulberry and Ebel, why not visit LEPRA’s website (www.lepra.org.uk).

The following global statistics illustrate the enormous scale of the problems faced by LEPRA and their international partners:

• Leprosy. Although widely thought of as a biblical disease, there are still around 400,000 new cases every year.
• TB is the leading cause of death for people infected with HIV/AIDS. Approximately 2 million die annually
• Malaria is estimated to kill one and a half million people every year including one child every 30 seconds
• HIV. It is thought that there are around 40 million people living with the disease worldwide. A staggering 700,000 children under 15 were infected in 2004.

Notes for the editor

• LEPRA is a medical development charity established in 1924 and originally called BELRA (The British Empire Leprosy Relief Association).
• Its mission statement is to: ‘Bring health, hope and dignity to people affected by leprosy and allied diseases”.
• Earlier this month, LEPRA was recognised by the prestigious American Centres for Disease Control with a £200,000 grant to fight HIV in India.

Thanks to Laura Cameron of LEPRA for the information and photographs.

Update: LEPRA raised nearly £9,000 from the auction (as of December 14, 2005). Source: LEPRA news

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 // 07:31 a.m.

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Long Way Round 10-episode version available to everyone

Next month, the 7-episode edition of Long Way Round will be released in North America.

The 10-episode edition is currently available at amazon.co.uk. Did you know that it will play in almost any DVD player in the world?

This DVD is Region 0, which means it has no DVD Region encoding. That's usually the problem with DVDs bought outside our own Region.

The only remaining problem is that it is in PAL, and televisions in North America and in Japan use NTSC. Recent DVD players sold in North America (and presumably Japan as well) will play PAL discs. Mine doesn't, but my computer's DVD drive does.

So, check your DVD player's manual to see if it will play PAL discs. If it doesn't and your computer has a DVD drive, you can still enjoy the 10-episode edition of Long Way Round. It's worth it. :)

Thanks to Rachel for the reminder!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, November 14, 2005 // 10:04 p.m.

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The Island DVD info

Title: The Island
Starring: Ewan McGregor
Released: 13th December 2005
SRP: $29.99

Universal has revealed early details on the Michael Bay directed The Island which stars Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi and Michael Clarke Duncan. This new single-disc release will be available to own from the 13th December this year, and should set you back around $29.99 in total. The film itself will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. English, French and Spanish subtitles will also be provided. Extra material will include an audio commentary with director Michael Bay, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of some of the film's incredible action sequences and harrowing stunts.

Source: DVDAnswers.com

Thanks to Fuumin for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, November 10, 2005 // 09:20 p.m.

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Vote for Ewan's Artwork at 21st Century Leaders!

If you would like to be able to purchase a mug, plate, or t-shirt featuring Ewan's artwork, you must vote first. 21st Century Leaders will only produce those items that have received at least 500 votes.

Vote at Whateverittakes.org.

Thanks to Ester for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Sunday, November 6, 2005 // 10:50 a.m.

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Sixth Annual Theatregoers' Choice Awards

Not only do you get the final say on who wins what, you can also help determine who's shortlisted in all 23 categories. The fields include Best Fringe & Regional Productions, Best Takeover in a Role, Best Ensemble & Solo Performances as well as all old favourites like Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Musical & the coveted Theatre Event of the Year. Please be sure to submit your nominations by 30 November 2005!

Source: Whatsonstage.com

Thanks to Barbara for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 // 01:00 p.m.

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Ewan’s big adventure

Tara Merrin
Calgary Sun
October 28, 2005

When best friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman decided to ride their motorcycles around the world, they worried about the dangers that might lie ahead.

They feared the treacherous roads in Mongolia, the weather in Russia — even the bears in Canada.

What they didn’t expect, however, was for the most terrifying moment of the trip to happen on a calm stretch of Canadian highway just outside of Calgary.

“We drove 20,000 miles (32,000 km) and some 12-year-old kid, who just got his driver’s licence, almost kills Ewan as we were literally coming into Calgary,” says Boorman from his home in London.

“The traffic had slowed down and this kid just smacked his car into Ewan. How Ewan stayed on and alive, we’re still not sure. That was the closest either of us came to being killed.”

McGregor, who starred in the latest Star Wars films, and Boorman, who appeared in The Serpent’s Kiss, began their quest to circumnavigate the globe in April 2004.

After setting off from London, they chased their shadows through Europe, Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Alaska and across North America to New York.

Long Way Round, a seven-part documentary series which makes its Canadian premiere on the Outdoor Life Network on Nov. 1, is the result of that journey.

“Until you actually go out and do it, you’re just not sure if anything interesting is going to happen,” says Boorman. “In the end, it certainly exceeded everything we thought it would be.”

During the four-month excursion, McGregor and Boorman, along with one cameraman, were courted by men with large guns in the Ukraine, had their lives threatened in Kazakhstan, suffered from hunger and exhaustion in Siberia, helped fight forest fires in B.C. and took in the Stampede.

“Calgary was a bit of drunken blur,” admits Boorman. “The Stampede was on and we hung out in all the bars — it was brilliant. It’s a great, fun place.”

While Cowtown may have been a blast, it was a far cry from Mongolia, which Boorman calls the most difficult and most rewarding part of the trip.

“The beauty of Mongolia and the people were so nice, but it was tough,” says Boorman. “There was no roads, no sign posts — it turned out to be everything we wanted from this experience.”

Mongolia also presented its share of danger. At one point, the men phoned one of their support vehicles, which became involved in a serious accident during the call.

“It was a terrible, huge crash — they rolled the car three times. They were only 80 miles (130 km) away, but … to get to a hospital was a four-day journey,” says Boorman, adding it’s amazing no one was seriously injured.

“That’s when we suddenly realized this wasn’t a holiday or a game.”

Despite the dangers, Boorman says he and McGregor would do it all over again. In fact, they are currently planning a trip to Africa where they’ll do some work for UNICEF.

Actor Jude Law, however, will not be joining them on the trip as reported in British newspapers last week, he says.

“We were laughing about that. Maybe someone thought it would be a good idea for Jude to have a sabbatical, but I don’t even think Jude rides a motorbike,” laughs Boorman. “But, you know, if Jude wants to come along without a bike, I don’t see why not.”

Long Way Round airs on the Outdoor Life Network at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Nov. 1.

Source: Calgary Sun

Thanks to Mary for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Friday, October 28, 2005 // 09:42 p.m.

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Long Way Round USA Release Dates

The official Long Way Round site has added this on their news page:

USA Release Dates
Long Way Round will be aired on Fox Reality in November/December. The 7-episode DVD will be released on the 13th December.

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Friday, October 28, 2005 // 08:15 a.m.

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Buy your Ewan wristband!

Wristbands to help support 21st Century Leaders -- of which Ewan is an ambassador -- are now available for £2.99 each at www.whateverittakes.org. Each ambassador donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future. Ewan has asked that 100% of net funds raised from the sales of this wristband are donated to UNICEF.

Thanks to Ester for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 // 08:02 a.m.

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Have you sent your letter for the Guys and Dolls cast recording?

Ewan fan Elyse has written up two generic letters requesting the release of a CD (or DVD) just in case anyone is too busy to write one, or doesn't want to (more details here). She hopes this makes it as easy as possible for everyone to participate in this. There is a picture of dice on each letter, so they are ready to send!!

DOWNLOAD LETTER 1 (Microsoft Word document)

DOWNLOAD LETTER 2 (Microsoft Word document)

If you can, please at least type your name at the end of the document just to mix it up a bit! :)

Send them to:

Piccadilly Theatre
16 Denman Street
London, ENGLAND
W1D 7DY

Huge thanks to Elyse!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 // 05:47 p.m.

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Acting honours for Ewan and Sienna

Mon 24 Oct 2005

Sienna Miller and Ewan McGregor have taken top acting honours at the lastminute.com theatre awards.

Miller was named best actress for her role as Celia in Shakespeare's As You Like It. She appeared in the play each night despite her break-up with boyfriend Jude Law.

McGregor won best actor for his lead role in Guys and Dolls. The awards were voted for by more than 16,000 theatregoers.

Miller said she was "thrilled" with her win.

"I had such a great time working with such a wonderful cast and really miss being on stage," she said.

"I definitely want to return next year."

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, starring Hollywood actor Christian Slater, was voted best play.

West End favourite The Lion King was best musical, and Kevin Spacey's Old Vic was named the best theatre.

The Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious song and dance number from Mary Poppins was named best moment.

Mark Bower, head of theatre for lastminute.com, said: "Once again the big musicals like The Lion King and Mary Poppins have proved their continued popularity and big names like Sienna and Ewan are drawing new audiences into London's West End."

Source: The Scotsman

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, October 24, 2005 // 07:37 a.m.

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No Guys and Dolls Soundtrack!

It has been confirmed to Ewan News that there will be no cast recording from Guys and Dolls; the recording label has pulled its financial backing. One Ewan fan who attended the play on Monday spoke with the Guys and Dolls orchestra conductor who told her about it.

Numerous Ewan fans travelled from all over the world to see this play -- some more than once! It would be so wonderful to have a lasting memory of the brilliant cast and the songs they sang. Many more were unable to make the journey and a cast recording would be their only way to share the remarkable Guys and Dolls experience.

We are going to try to sway the powers that be in our favor. We would like every Ewan fan -- and that includes you! -- to write to the theater between October 23 and 29 to let them know how much you want to be able to buy a cast recording. And while we're at it, let's really grab their attention: include a pair of dice with your letter. The play revolves around the love lives of craps players, and the game of craps is played with a pair of dice.

Here is the address to the Piccadilly Theater:

Piccadilly Theatre
16 Denman Street
London, ENGLAND
W1D 7DY

Thank you! :-)

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 // 10:59 p.m.

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Jude Law and Ewan McGregor set for motorbike adventure

Oct 19, 2005, 12:43 GMT

Jude Law is to go on a motorcycle tour of South America to escape the aftermath of his break up with Sienna Miller - and has persuaded actor pal Ewan McGregor to go along for the ride.

The 'Closer' star was inspired by McGregor's 20,000 mile bike ride with best friend Charley Boorman which was televised in hit documentary series 'Long Way Round'. Now 32-year-old Jude wants to follow the adventures of Che Guevara, featured in last year's hit movie 'The Motorcycle Diaries'.

A source said: 'It's been an awful year for Jude and he's been thinking of a way to escape all the madness ever since he finished with Sienna for good.

'He felt that he needed some kind of sabbatical and when Ewan sent him a DVD of 'Long Way Round' the idea just grabbed him.

The insider added to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: 'Like most people, he was inspired by the scenery in 'The Motorcycle Diaries' and quickly suggested to Ewan that they follow that route for a sequel.

'Ewan didn't need much persuading and agreed to join Jude with Charley for the second big adventure.'

Jude ditched Sienna Miller after the actress reportedly cheated on him with new James Bond actor Daniel Craig.

The split comes months after Law begged the 23-year-old for another chance after admitting sleeping with his children's nanny.

Source: Monsters and Critics

Thanks to Patty for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 // 07:39 p.m.

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Bafta launches 'new stars' award

Wednesday, 19 October 2005

The 2006 Bafta Film Awards will feature a new prize given to the year's most promising young star.

The Rising Star Award, said a Bafta spokesman, "will honour a young actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition".

A panel including Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett and Sir Alan Parker will select a shortlist of five nominees, to be revealed on 9 January next year.

The recipient of the prize will then be chosen by a public vote.

Nominees - who can be of any nationality - must feature in a film eligible for the 2006 British Academy Awards, to be announced on 19 February 2006.

The prize replaces the Film of the Year Award, the only other Bafta Film Award decided by members of the public.

The prize has been created in honour of the casting director Mary Selway, who died in April 2004.

"This exciting award will shine an early spotlight on the talented young actors and actresses who are the future of our industry," said Bafta chairman Duncan Kenworthy.

Source: BBC News

Thanks to Georginita for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 // 07:35 p.m.

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Long Way Round DVD update

Contrary to what had been reported earlier (on October 3rd), the Long Way Round DVD will be released in North America on December 13, on the same day as the DVDs for Valiant and The Island. The Long Way Round DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.98 but amazon.com will sell it for $13.99. Start saving now!

Source: amazon.com

Thanks to Barbara for the update!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 // 10:41 p.m.

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Valiant DVD Details & Menus

Reported by: Anthony Lizarraga
October 17, 2005 (09:09pm)

Walt Disney Pictures and Vanguard Animation’s VALIANT, the wildly entertaining animated adventure of the little pigeon who becomes a hero in World War II, comes to roost on DVD on December 13, just in time for the holidays. From the producer of Shrek and Shrek 2, VALIANT delivers stunning animation, a topflight voice cast and an action-packed story loaded with laughs. It’s a soaring family comedy that truly earns its wings. Available for $29.99 (S.R.P.) from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

The whole world is looking for a hero, and it's up to a little pigeon named Valiant to step up and bravely serve his country. Valiant (Ewan McGregor, “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith”) and his fine feathered friends take to the sky on a wing and a prayer and prove that it’s not your wingspan but the size of your spirit that truly counts. Together, this ragtag squadron of birdbrains engage in hilarious aerial adventures at a spitfire pace. From the first bumbling day of basic training through the final feather-raising mission, VALIANT’s flock of comical characters save the day.

Bonus features created exclusively for this DVD release include: hysterical, never-before-seen bloopers; and the “Valiant Training Challenge,” a game which takes you through 3 levels of special training to become a member of the Royal Homing Pigeon Service.

VALIANT brings together a top flight voice cast of British vocal favorites including Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais (TV’s “The Office”), Tim Curry (“The Wild Thornberrys Movie”), Jim Broadbent (“Bridget Jones’s Diary;” Oscar®-winner, Best Supporting Actor, “Iris” 2001), Hugh Laurie (TV’s “House”), legendary comedian John Cleese, John Hurt (“Hellboy”), Pip Torrens, Rik Mayall, and Olivia Williams (“The Sixth Sense”).

Story by George Webster. Screenplay by Jordan Katz, George Webster, George Melrod. Co- Producers Eric M. Bennett, Curtis Augspurger, Buckley Collum. Executive Producers Barnaby Thompson, Ralph Kamp, Neil Braun, Robert Jones, Keith Evans. Produced by John H. Williams. Directed by Gary Chapman.

STREET DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2005
Direct prebook: October 18
Suggested retail price: $29.99 (DVD)
Rated: “G”. Bonus material not rated or subtitled.
Bonus materials subject to change.
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1, enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
Language: English, French, Spanish audio
Subtitled in English for the hearing impaired.
Not All Technical Specifications Apply To All Elements

Source: DVDtoons

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 // 07:48 a.m.

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Disney Abandons Gnomeo and Juliet

10/18/2005

[...]

Wild Life isn't the only musical comedy that Disney has dropped in recent times though. The successful songwriting team of Sir Tim Rice & Sir Elton John were supposed to be providing the music for Gnomeo and Juliet, a retelling of Shakespeare's classic play with the twist being that the two warring families were to be portrayed by pottery gnomes. The Capulets were to be pampered porcelains living inside cabinets in an English cottage, while the Montegues would have been played by the outdoors garden ornament gnomes. Played strictly for laughs, this co-production between Disney and John's Rocket Films company was to have starred the voices of Kate Winslet and Ewan McGregor as the lovers. It was announced for release in 2006 but canned late last year.

[...]

Source: Mickey News (fan site)

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 // 07:38 a.m.

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Velvet Goldmine Screening in New York City

October 13 2005

Todd Haynes' glam rock epic Velvet Goldmine starring Ewan McGregor and a pre-Batman Christian Bale will be playing at the IFC Center Friday through Sunday at midnight.

Source: The Gothamist

Thanks to ParisRouge for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, October 13, 2005 // 09:35 p.m.

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'Guys and Dolls' recoups in just 17 weeks
Brit hit for Broadway classic

Thurs., Oct. 13, 2005
By MATT WOLF

The West End revival of "Guys and Dolls," starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski, has recouped its £3 ($5.24) million capitalization in 17 weeks. Producers are claiming the payback as a record West End recoupment in so short a time.

Michael Grandage's staging opened June 1 at the Piccadilly and has more or less gone clean ever since. Along with "Billy Elliot - The Musical," the Frank Loesser revival was one of the few West End shows to withstand the summer downturn in business following the terror attacks in London in July.

The Broadway classic has always been particularly beloved in Britain. Richard Eyre directed a famous National Theatre revival in 1982, which was itself revived in 1996.

It remains to be seen, of course, whether the brisk business will continue into 2006, once McGregor has left the cast. (He departs early December.) "The Producers," for instance, was fast out of the West End starting gate and into the black but has seen bizbiz drop more recently now that it is well into its second cast at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

"Guys and Dolls" is produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group and David Ian for Clear Channel Entertainment. They plan to open the show on Broadway in fall, 2006.

Source: Variety

Thanks to ParisRouge for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, October 13, 2005 // 06:41 p.m.

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New Yorker comes to UI

Saturday, October 8, 2005
Magazine will bring contributors, staff
By Gregg Hennigan
Iowa City Press-Citizen

The New Yorker magazine has attracted readers across the nation -- and world -- with its prose, poetry, journalism, criticism and cartoons.

Now the University of Iowa has drawn to its campus the 2005 National Magazine Award winner for General Excellence.

The New Yorker College Tour will be here Monday through Wednesday. The event will feature discussions, readings, films and performances by some of the magazine's top contributors and editors as well as other artists.

UI is one of only two stops for the tour this fall. The other is the University of Washington in Seattle.

"It's an honor to have them come," said Jennifer Hitchon, a joint law and health administration graduate student and a member of the University Lecture Committee, which booked the event. "It was a coup to get them to come."

The three-a-day events are free and open to the public. Among those on campus will be New Yorker fiction editor Cressida Leyshon, cartoon editor Robert Mankoff and humor writer Andy Borowitz.

On Tuesday, director Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Monster's Ball") will screen his new movie "Stay," starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts.

Hitchon said she expected the biggest draw to be investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, who will take part in a roundtable discussion Tuesday night. Hersh is perhaps best known for exposing the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. More recently, Hersh broke the story on the U.S. military's treatment of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

UI journalism professor Stephen Berry will lead the discussion with Hersh. He said that while he hopes the event provides a learning experience for students, he won't limit talk to the practice of journalism.

"I'm a news reporter ... so my first and foremost goal will be to see what news he can provide the community," Berry said.

Hitchon said that's also the aim of the event as a whole.

"The New Yorker has a reputation for being a writer's magazine and a reader's magazine," she said. "The writing is just great and approaches everything from a national and an international perspective."

For a schedule of events, go to www.uiowa.edu/~lectures.

Source: Iowa City Press Citizen

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Saturday, October 8, 2005 // 10:40 a.m.

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The Island DVD Release

Universal has officially announced some major new titles for December and January. First up, look for Michael Bay's The Island on December 13 (SRP $29.99). Separate anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions will be available, each with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Extras are still TBA, but we expect them to include audio commentary with Bay, several behind-the-scenes featurettes on the stunt work and more.

Source: The Digital Bits

Thanks to Barbara for the heads up!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Saturday, October 8, 2005 // 10:19 a.m.

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Stay: Soundtrack Artwork & Details

By Mark Sung Oct 4, 2005, 11:50 GMT

Varese Sarabande have released the latest details of the artwork and track listing for their forthcoming ‘Stay: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.’

Music by Thad Spencer. Release Date: 10/25/05

‘In this reality-bending thriller, a distraught young man (Ryan Gosling) announces to his psychiatrist (Ewan McGregor) that he plans to commit suicide in three days. In a desperate attempt to help his new patient, the psychiatrist makes a frantic chase through the city on an incredible, nightmarish journey which tests his own rapidly weakening grasp on reality.

The mesmerizing and darkly beautiful score is by Monster’s Ball composer Thad Spencer.’

Full Track Listing:

1. Mahlus Gardens (3:28)
2. Opening Bridge (2:20)
3. Dance Class (1:42)
4. You’re Real (2:34)
5. Is That Your Voice? (1:17)
6. Fortune Cookie (1:50)
7. Leaving The City (1:33)
8. Chasing Henry (2:43)
9. Leon Sees (1:50)
10. The World Is An Illusion (2:50)
11. Stay With Me (2:28)
12. A Walk In the Rain (1:30)
13. Sam And Lila (1:19)
14. From Another Life (1:02)
15. Forgive Me (2:04)
16. It’s Too Late (2:17)
17. Fountain (:38)
18. Troubles Will Cease (2:18)
19. I’m Never Gonna Sleep Tonight (6:39)

Source: Monsters and Critics

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 // 07:53 a.m.

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Stay With These Stills

Update: Monsters and Critics has some of the same, plus a few extras, photos in larger format. Thanks to Patty for the find!

Now that the new Star Wars trilogy has come to an end, Ewan McGregor has been looking for a hit ever since The Island bombed in the domestic box office. To be honest, I greatly enjoyed the film but, judging by the numbers, there are only some in America that agree with me. But nevermind that, Ewan McGregor looks to be coming back strong in the upcoming psychological-thriller Stay.

In this latest thriller from Marc Forster, a distraught young man announces to his psychiatrist that he plans to commit suicide in three days. The psychiatrist's desperate attempts to help his new patient, lead him through the city on an incredible, nightmarish trip to the place between life and death. Marc Foster is also the creator of the films Finding Neverland and Monster's Ball.

Check out the latest set of movie stills below for Stay.

Source: The Can Magazine

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 // 07:51 a.m.

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Ewan McGregor's "Long Way Around" Coming To DVD In December

Oct 03, 2005

From a Press Release:

2 MEN… 2 BIKES… 20,000 MILES…EWAN McGREGOR AND CHARLEY BOORMAN STAR IN LONG WAY ROUND

The Adventure of a Lifetime Rolls onto DVD December 6, 2005 from Goldhil Entertainment

CAMARILLO, CA. -- The adventure of a lifetime comes to DVD this December 6, with the DVD release of Long Way Round, from Goldhil Entertainment. Long-time pals Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge, The Island) and Charley Boorman set off on their motorcycles taking the "long way round" the world: west along the rough terrain of Euro-Asia, across the Bering Straight, and covering 20,000 miles before completing their journey in New York City.

"This is an exceptionally entertaining title that has a lot of cross-over appeal. In one respect it's full of action, adventure, exploration and discovery, and yet there's also great deal of political intrigue, suspense and most of all, a great friendship," said Bill Perrault, Senior Vice-President of Marketing, Goldhil Entertainment. "Ewan and Charlie take us on a trip that most of us can only dream of."

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman (director John Boorman's son) met on the set of Serpents Kiss in 1997, and quickly formed a strong friendship through their mutual passion for motorcycles. After winning the British Superstock in 2000, the dream of a round the world bike adventure was born. After four months of preparation getting together a crew and support vehicles, Ewan and Charley began their 20,000 mile road-trip.

The seven-episode, 2-disc set contains the entire adventure as well as numerous extras including never-before-seen footage, photo gallery and exclusive interviews with these two best friends. From below zero temperatures and dangerous run-ins in remote lands to breathtaking landscapes and an odd cast of characters, these two men complete what is surely the journey of a lifetime.

Source: RoadracingWorld

Thanks to Barbara for the find!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Monday, October 3, 2005 // 09:20 p.m.

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Long Way Round Coffee-Table Book Info

The book, dubbed "the illustrated edition", contains 288 pages. It will be available through online resellers like amazon.

amazon.co.uk will release it on October 6, 2005 and it will sell for £15.00.

amazon.com will release it on October 30, 2005 and will sell it for US$26.40.

amazon.ca will release it on November 1, 2005 and will sell it for CND$38.50. While £15 equals CND$30, the book qualifies for free shipping in Canada; otherwise ordering it from the UK would end up costing CND$45 (still cheaper than the list price of CND$55).

Other countries:

amazon.co.jp: October 6, 2005, ¥4,494
amazon.de: October 30, 2005, €36,90
amazon.fr: October 6, 2005, €38,51

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Sunday, October 2, 2005 // 10:44 a.m.

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New Project for Ewan?

29 September 2005

Renée Zellweger will topline "Miss Potter," a biopic about Beatrix Potter for David Kirschner Prods. and Phoenix Pictures. Ewan McGregor is in talks to play Norman, Potter's publisher and love interest.

Chris Noonan, who has not helmed a feature since 1995's "Babe," will direct a script by Richard Maltby Jr. Shooting is skedded to begin on location in the U.K. in March.

Source: Hollywood Stock Exchange

Thanks to ParisRouge for the find!

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, September 29, 2005 // 07:50 a.m.

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McGregor and Staunton among star teachers at Actors Centre

Tuesday 27 September 2005 12:05 PM
Nuala Calvi

Ewan McGregor, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Stewart and Brian Cox are some of the screen stars who have been recruited to run classes at the Actors Centre in London.

The stars will give lessons at the subsidised rate of £38 to a pool of actors and directors selected by audition and interview, and will fit the classes around their own filming schedules.

Entitled the Skillset Film Lab, the programme is being supported by government agency Skillset and talent agents PFD.

Matthew Lloyd, the Actors Centre artistic director, said: “In the States a lot of actors ‘take class’ on a regular basis. But the distinguishing feature of the Film Lab is that people will not be selected by who’s able to pay.

“The lab will run over the course of 12 months and we will be able to use dynamic performers when they’re available. We’ll fit in with their diaries.”

The initiative follows on from last year’s Actors Lab, which boasted names such as Corin Redgrave, Nigel Planer and Barbara Jefford. “We had very prestigious figures coming in to look at classical and innovative theatre techniques,” said Lloyd. “It worked so well and created such a lot of excitement we decided to adapt the idea to the medium of film, and were lucky enough to get funding.”

The organisation has been diversifying in recent times and earlier this year launched the Actors Centre In Business, allowing it to target the corporate market for the first time. West End actor Mark Bowden and Faking It coach Jeremy Stockwell are among those teaching presentation skills to business people as part of the enterprise.

Source: The Stage

Posted by Best of Ewan McGregor on Thursday, June 30, 2005 // 03:04 p.m.

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