Entertainment

Ewan McGregor talks about being reluctant to play Obi Wan-Kenobi in ‘Star Wars’

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

[ad_1]

Washington [US], February 1 (ANI): Scottish actor Ewan McGregor shared that he was reluctant to play Obi Wan-Kenobi in ‘Star Wars’, according to Variety.

“It wasn’t a done deal for me. I didn’t think it was at all who I was. I believed, at that point, I was a Danny Boyle actor. ‘The Beach’ was more important and I meant it, it wasn’t flippant. I did ask a lot of people for advice,” Ewan McGregor said.

“I am happy that I am this character for a lot of people, but when these films came out, they were so disliked. That was hard. The first one was panned and we still had to make another two! It was weird to be in a film that was hammered,” added McGregor.

He enjoyed making ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,” though. “I would love to do the second season, but there’s no talk of it yet. There is a lot going on at Disney.”In Goteborg, he also discussed a certain beloved classic, “Trainspotting.””It’s such a special film to a lot of people. Very, very special to me. I find it very moving. I am proud of it and everything about it. When we did ‘Shallow Grave’ it was our first movie, when it came out it left a mark on British cinema, and there was a certain expectation of what we could do next. Your first director, it’s like your first love or something,” shared the actorHe was given the script at Sundance. “They made a big deal out of saying they are not offering it to me. I went, ‘….hell you have to let me play that role! John, the writer, didn’t think I was quite right so I went away and stopped eating. Next time I saw them, I was super skinny.””I am looking forward to T:3 when we are all in our 70s, in a retirement home for smackheads, stealing nurse’s drugs,” he said. Also remembering “unsung hero,” late cinematographer Brian Tufano.

“We were both asked to leave the Danny Boyle camp on his fourth movie,” he laughed.

“But the first time I saw ‘Trainspotting’ in London with my uncle, I remember crossing the street, getting a drink and feeling a bit numb. Sent me off the rails for years and years. Not really. I am joking!,” shared the actor.

According to Variety, McGregor developed an interest in acting after watching his uncle Denis Lawson. “I got to see him in the theatre first, a huge experience for a child, and then on TV. Then a film called ‘Star Wars’ he was in. It blew our tiny minds,” he said.

He didn’t decide to become an actor at that same time, despite what some people may have said. “They are called unauthorized biographies. My uncle is still baffled that ‘Star Wars’ had such an impact. I wanted to be like him, but I also really profoundly got moved by it. I was in it and it was the same with movies. I told him when I was 9 and he said: ‘Come back to me when you are older.’ Which I did.”The miniseries ‘Lipstick on Your Collar’ cast him after he dropped out of school at the age of 16. “I was incredibly nonchalant because I was obsessed with another script. The last recall for both was on the same day, I had to get across town. I just did and said: ‘I have to go.’ They went: ‘Who is this guy?’ And they cast me. The other film collapsed and it was never made. I just thank my lucky stars. This was my start,” he said.

“I had a perm and black hair for it. Just saying.”He also talked about being Scottish. As he mentioned, “Being Scottish is deeply who I am, but it means different things for different people. Leaving Scotland was hard, but I aimed for London. I knew that’s where I would start. And I was right! I am Scottish wherever I am,” reported Variety. (ANI)

[ad_2]

Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.