Danny Boyle.Q&A

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Danny Boyle.Q&A - BBC

If you were given the chance to re-make "Trainspotting" now, would you change anything? David Lankester
No. I think it's a mistake to look back, but digital video would be the perfect format for it.

What was the last film you saw that you really enjoyed, and why? Mark Townsend
"Treasure Planet". Old-fashioned animation, but truly beautiful to look at.

Can you envisage a day when the majority of films are made on DV, rather than celluloid? Simon Walker
Soon. Celluloid will be the next decade's black and white.

You seem to have been veering away from big budget Hollywood movies since "The Beach". Would you ever consider doing a big budget film again, and if not, why not? Mike
I love huge movies. Not sure I am the guy to make them, but you can rely on me being there watching them.

What do you think is the best motion picture ever made? Paul Bate
"Apocalypse Now". Mad. Imperfect. Pompous. Brilliant.

Are there any plans for a "Trainspotting" sequel in the near future? Richard Bevan
I'm working with John Hodge on adapting Irvine Welsh's novel, "Porno", but until we have a script it's a long way off.

Ewan McGregor has said that he won't appear in the "Trainspotting" sequel "Porno", saying that he found the novel uninspiring. Do you feel any other actor could play Renton after the character was so well defined by Ewan's portrayal? If so, who would you consider for the role? Julian Moorhead
If "Porno" was made in to a film, I believe it would only work with the original cast.

You said in the deleted scenes commentary for "28 Days Later" that you thought it was best to cut your favourite shot from the film. Why? And has this happened in any of your other movies? Stephen Dop
I said it to ease the pain - you can't be precious about anything. Everybody has their favourite shots and often it's a mistake to stand by them.

"28 Days Later" had a similar feel to the classic zombie film "Night of The Living Dead". Can you tell us which films in particular influenced you? Alex Lochrie
The Romero films are obviously the most important zombie films, but "28 Days Later" isn't really a zombie film. Other films like Cronenberg's "Rabid" and John Wyndham's "The Day of the Triffids" are big influences for both Alex [Garland, the writer] and I.

What would you change if you had a bigger budget for "28 Days Later"? Karl Walsh
In Alex's original script he had a scene where the heroes left Heathrow in a 747 with the infected hanging off the plane and being sucked through the engines. But the producer was too mean to find any more money.

"Trainspotting" was the definitive British movie of the 90s. What do you think the definitive British movie of this decade is so far? Richard Smith
There's a long way to go and it's all subjective, but I really liked "24 Hour Party People".

With the closure of FilmFour, how would you recommend young, wannabe directors break into the industry? Adrian O'Toole
Work with people you know and utilize the new technology, like mini DV and home Macintosh editing systems.

I've personally enjoyed every single one of your films. Have you got a personal favourite? Danny Marsh
It's easy to like the most popular films, but I have a great fondness for "A Life Less Ordinary".

What lessons did you learn after making "A Life Less Ordinary"? Julia Knight
That not every film you make will connect with as big an audience as you hope.

Your latest film, "Millions", has been described as a comedy/musical set in Liverpool. Is that a fair description, and what attracted you to it? Tony Wilkie
It's a comedy about the Euro, not a musical about the Eurovision Song Contest as has been rumoured! It's about two young lads, eight and ten, who find a bag of money on the eve of Britain entering the Euro, and they have to spend it before the currency is worthless. One month to have a good time, and one month to redistribute it to the poor.

You seem to have shied away from big-budget Hollywood movies, dropping out of the Jennifer Lopez pic "Tick-Tock" for "creative reasons". How do you regard Hollywood? Lawrence Boult
It's a business there, and we criticise it for the wrong reasons. When they get it right there's nothing quite like it. We've got to get them to get it right more often