As I delve into the captivating tale of Ewan McGregor, a seasoned actor with an enviable career spanning over three decades, one cannot help but be mesmerized by his extraordinary journey through the world of cinema. His tales of adapting to various directorial styles, from the pointed critique of Woody Allen to the camaraderie forged with Mike Mills, paint a vivid picture of a man who has not only thrived in the face of challenges but also learned and grown from each experience.
Ewan McGregor’s performances have propelled him to diverse realms: from a galaxy far, far away (appearing in three “Star Wars” prequels and their subsequent TV series, “Obi-Wan Kenobi“); to post-Bolshevik Russia (“A Gentleman in Moscow”); all the way down to the depths of Scotland’s most notorious bathroom (“Trainspotting,” one of four collaborations with director Danny Boyle).
McGregor has never visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame before, but this will change on Thursday when he receives his own star there. Similar to the lifetime achievement award he received at the age of 41 from the San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2012, he considers it an honor, yet feels it’s for others to decide if he truly deserves it. Apart from a few movie premieres and a breakdown of his Porsche 550 Spider replica outside the Dolby Theatre parking lot (“Superman, then Spider-Man, and finally Marilyn Monroe – it was quite a gathering around a broken replica of James Dean’s car”), this is his first significant connection with Hollywood.
McGregor shares with EbMaster that receiving an award makes you quite happy. You’re always delighted just to be considered. However, there’s a mix of feelings – you’re certainly proud, honored, and thankful, but also a bit self-conscious as well.
Based on his impressive filmography, which encompasses movies such as “Velvet Goldmine,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Black Hawk Down,” and “Big Fish,” along with TV series like “Fargo” and “Halston,” the actor has no reason to feel ashamed of his accomplishments. From his early days working as a stagehand at the Perth Repertory Theatre in Scotland, McGregor has openly shared that he expressed his career aspirations at a young age, albeit not too modestly. “I watched the actors and learned from them,” he recalls. “One of them was up for an advertisement or something, and I was only 16. I thought to myself, ‘I’d never do something like that — I only ever want to do work that matters.’
He chuckles as he agrees, ‘That was quite a confident statement!’ However, I want you to understand that’s how I meant it in my awkward manner. When I say I’ve realized my dreams, I believe I’ve produced work that has made a significant impact on those who have seen it.
His partnership with Boyle, who brought McGregor on board for his first directorial venture, “Shallow Grave,” was instrumental in shaping his career. As he puts it, “He knew how to guide and inspire to bring out the best work. I often reflect back and think he really set the benchmark high.” These collaborations, including “Trainspotting” and their third project within three years titled “A Life Less Ordinary,” provided him with rewarding creative opportunities. However, landing a role in George Lucas’ eagerly awaited prequel “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” presented a tougher challenge, despite propelling him to unprecedented commercial success.
He explains that maintaining credibility as a character within a given narrative is consistently important. In the “Star Wars” universe, during its initial stages with limited technology, factors like green screens didn’t assist actors; instead, they posed challenges.
Hayden Christensen, who portrayed the young Padawan Anakin Skywalker in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” later transformed into the villainous Darth Vader in “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Christensen recalls Ewan McGregor providing guidance not only on mastering the Force, but also on handling green screen acting, which was still new at that time. As Christensen puts it, “The first time I encountered Ewan was in Australia. I remember walking into the makeup room and receiving a warm hug from him. From that moment, I knew I was standing before a friend.
Christensen mentions that he was truly mentored by him,” he says. “The intricacies of filmmaking can be overwhelming, but he always reminded us of the heartfelt emotions we aimed to convey.
McGregor’s deep affection for the “Star Wars” franchise motivated him to join Lucas’ cinematic universe, but at the same time, it required him to separate his fandom while delving into it from within. He explains, “My brother and I watched the original ‘Star Wars’ movies countless times, just like many people of our generation. They meant a lot to us.” To cope with the enormity of it all and focus on the task at hand, he had to mentally detach in some way. Playing a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi, as portrayed by Alec Guiness, allowed him to delve into his predecessor’s filmography for inspiration, setting a standard for him as he reprised the role on multiple occasions.
As a passionate admirer, I found delving into Alec Guinness’s work particularly captivating, given that I was portraying him as a young man. Even with this current series, my aim is still to emulate him subtly, and when I sense a resemblance, it brings me joy. After all these years, my ardor for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi remains undiminished. I truly hope we get the opportunity to revisit this character again, as there seems to be more tales untold between where we left off in the series and when Alec Guinness appears alongside Luke Skywalker on screen. Much like Christensen, who will present me with my Walk of Fame star, I also share his eagerness for another “Obi-Wan Kenobi” installment, eagerly anticipating another chance to observe him in this role up close.
If having more interactions with Ewan is on the table, that’s an obvious choice for me. However, I sincerely hope he keeps portraying the character. As a fan, watching him as Obi-Wan is thrilling; he’s simply brilliant in the role.
Despite playing Obi-Wan Kenobi for a duration that’s become as iconic with the character as Alec Guinness for many, Ewan McGregor has remarkably worked with an impressive lineup of directors throughout his career – directors like Peter Greenaway, Todd Haynes, Baz Luhrmann, Ridley Scott, Roman Polanski, and Ron Howard. Each of these collaborations could be considered the defining moment for another actor, yet McGregor is receiving this recognition with this honor. He confessed that adjusting to their distinct leadership styles has occasionally been tough; he vividly recalls some sharp criticism from Woody Allen during the filming of “Cassandra’s Dream.
One time, Woody Allen approached me and said, “I can hear every seat in the theater creaking,” implying that I was making everyone uncomfortable and they were leaving. In response, I jokingly thanked him. Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell then began practicing our lines together, as there were many lengthy scenes and Allen usually doesn’t do multiple takes or coverage, which can be beneficial for actors because it feels like performing on stage but requires memorization.
As a fan, I’m sharing my thoughts on the unique connections I formed with a handful of filmmakers, particularly Mike Mills, the director of “Beginners.” He’s one of those collaborators who will be honoring my star. Mike is simply remarkable when it comes to his understanding and admiration for acting. He understands that acting deserves attention and focus on set. His balance between prioritizing performance while also appreciating cinematography is spot-on, making the whole experience feel like the performance is the heart of everything else.
Every time, McGregor mentions that it’s lucky for him when filmmakers approach him with an offer. Interestingly, initiating contact himself hasn’t worked well for him in the past. As he shares, “The one and only time I reached out to a director was Jonathan Glazer, after watching ‘Under the Skin.’ I’ve never met him, don’t know him, but I did write a letter through my agent saying, ‘I just want to work with you.’ Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a response from him.
Following years of apprenticeship under renowned filmmakers, Ewan McGregor directed his debut film, “American Pastoral,” in 2016. He confessed that he cherished the experience, but remains uncertain about when he’ll take up directing again. “Never have I felt more alive, scared, and accountable,” he expressed. “Balancing the roles of actor and director demanded maturity. I managed to create the film I envisioned, and I took great pride in it. However, when its release didn’t yield the expected results, it left me feeling somewhat shattered.
One reason he considers taking on this project is the chance to spotlight his “Fargo,” “Birds of Prey,” and “A Gentleman in Moscow” co-star (and as of 2022, wife) Mary Elizabeth Winstead. He expresses his desire to direct her in a future project, stating, “I’d love to work with Mary again. I think she’s a fantastic actress, and I hope to discover a script that would serve as a powerful platform for her talent. If given the opportunity again, I believe this is what I’d aim to find.
Moscow represents his third substantial TV production in three years, following “Halston” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Beyond this, he’s also venturing into the role of executive producer. Although an Emmy nomination might not come his way from this project, he aspires for it to garner some attention – not just for himself but for those who observe the entertainment industry from the periphery, including fans and peers.
Occasionally, when the Golden Globes or Oscars are on, you may find yourself thinking, “That’s Hollywood.” I’m not sure if I belong to that crowd, but this award could potentially give others the courage to assert their place in the world and in this industry – to believe they deserve it all.
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2024-09-11 20:17