Danny Boyle

English filmmakerTemplate:SHORTDESC:English filmmaker

* *Trainspotting*
* *28 Days Later*
* *Slumdog Millionaire*

**Daniel Francis Boyle** (born 20 October 1956) is a British director and producer.

He is known for his work on films including *Shallow Grave*, *Trainspotting* and its sequel *T2 Trainspotting*, *The Beach*, *28 Days Later*, *Sunshine*, *Slumdog Millionaire*, *127 Hours*, *Steve Jobs* and *Yesterday*. His debut film *Shallow Grave* won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. The British Film Institute ranked *Trainspotting* the 10th greatest British film of the 20th century.

Boyle's 2008 film *Slumdog Millionaire*, the most successful British film of the decade, was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won eight, including the Academy Award for Best Director. He also won the Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Best Director. Boyle was presented with the Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award at the 2008 Austin Film Festival, where he also introduced that year's AFF Audience Award Winner *Slumdog Millionaire*.

In 2012, Boyle was the artistic director for *Isles of Wonder*, the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was subsequently offered a knighthood as part of the New Year Honours but declined due to his republican beliefs. In 2014, it was announced that Boyle would become a patron of HOME in Manchester.

## Early life and background

Danny Boyle was born on 20 October 1956, in Radcliffe, Lancashire, England, about 6 miles north of Manchester's city centre, to Irish parents Frank and Annie Boyle, both from County Galway. He has a twin sister, Marie, and a younger sister, Bernadette, both of whom are teachers. Although he now describes himself as a "spiritual atheist," he was brought up in a working-class Catholic family. Boyle was an altar boy for eight years and his mother had the priesthood in mind for him, but at the age of 14 he was persuaded by a priest not to transfer to a seminary.

He attended Thornleigh Salesian College, a Catholic boys' direct grant grammar school in Bolton, and studied English and Drama at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), where he directed several productions for the student drama society.

## Theatre and television work

 File:The Children's Monologues cast (2010).jpg
Upon graduating from university he began his career at the Joint Stock Theatre Company before moving onto the Royal Court Theatre in 1982 where he directed *The Genius* by Howard Brenton and *Saved* by Edward Bond. He also directed five productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 1987, Boyle started working in television as a producer for BBC Northern Ireland where he produced, amongst other TV films, Alan Clarke's controversial *Elephant* before becoming a director on shows such as *Arise And Go Now*, *Not Even God Is Wise Enough*, *For The Greater Good*, *Scout,* and two episodes of *Inspector Morse*.

Boyle was responsible for the BBC Two series *Mr. Wroe's Virgins* in 1993. In between *The Beach* and *28 Days Later* Boyle directed two TV films for the BBC in 2001–*Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise* and *Strumpet*.

On 14 November 2010, he directed a one-night play at the Old Vic Theatre titled *The Children's Monologues* starring Sir Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Gemma Arterton, and Eddie Redmayne. In 2011 he directed *Frankenstein* for the National Theatre. This production was broadcast to cinemas as a part of National Theatre Live on 17 March 2011. He has also appeared on *Top Gear* and set the fastest wet lap at that time. In 2014, both Boyle and Christian Colson signed to a first look deal with FX Productions.

### *Isles of Wonder*

 File:Danny talks about tonight's ceremony (cropped).jpg
Boyle was artistic director for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London. Entitled *Isles of Wonder*, it charted aspects of British culture including the Industrial Revolution and contributions to literature, music, film, and technology.

Reception to the ceremony was generally positive both nationally in the United Kingdom and internationally. In December 2012 it was widely reported that Boyle turned down a knighthood in the New Year Honours list. He told BBC Radio 4 "I'm very proud to be an equal citizen and I think that's what the opening ceremony was actually about."

### *Pistol*

On January 11, 2021, it was announced that Boyle would be adapting the Steve Jones' autobiography *Lonely Boy* into a six-part TV series entitled *Pistol* that charts the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols. The series is set to air on FX and is due to star Emma Appleton, Louis Partridge and Maisie Williams, amongst others. The show is being filmed in London.

## Film

Boyle's love for film began with his first viewing of *Apocalypse Now*:

> It had eviscerated my brain, completely. I was an impressionable twenty-one-year-old guy from the sticks. My brain had not been fed and watered with great culture, you know, as art is meant to do. It had been sandblasted by the power of cinema. And that's why cinema, despite everything we try to do, it remains a young man's medium, really, in terms of audience.
>
>

### 1990s: *Shallow Grave* and *Trainspotting*

The first film Boyle directed was *Shallow Grave*. The film was the most commercially successful British film of 1995, won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, and led to the production of *Trainspotting.* Working with writer John Hodge and producer Andrew Macdonald, *Shallow Grave* earned Boyle the Best Newcomer Award from the 1996 London Film Critics Circle. Critics credited these films with revitalising British cinema in the early '90s. The BFI ranked *Trainspotting* the 10th greatest British film of the 20th century.

Boyle declined an offer to direct the fourth film of the *Alien* franchise to make *A Life Less Ordinary.*

### 2000s: *The Beach*, *28 Days Later* and *Slumdog Millionaire*

Boyle's next project was an adaptation of the cult novel *The Beach* by Alex Garland. Filmed in Thailand with Leonardo DiCaprio, casting of the film led to a feud with Ewan McGregor. He then collaborated with Garland on the post-apocalyptic horror film *28 Days Later*.

 File:DannyBoyle08TIFF.jpg
He also directed a short film *Alien Love Triangle* (starring Kenneth Branagh), which was intended to be one of three shorts within a feature film. However the project was cancelled after the two other shorts were made into feature films: *Mimic* starring Mira Sorvino and *Impostor* starring Gary Sinise. In 2004 Boyle directed *Millions*, scripted by Frank Cottrell Boyce. His next collaboration with Alex Garland was the 2007 science-fiction film *Sunshine*, featuring *28 Days Later* star Cillian Murphy.

In 2008 he directed *Slumdog Millionaire*, the story of an impoverished child (Dev Patel) on the streets of Mumbai, India, who competes on the local version of *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?*, for which Boyle won Academy and BAFTA Awards for Best Director. The most successful British film of the decade, the film won eight Academy Awards and seven BAFTA Awards. Boyle commented, "To be a film-maker...you have to lead. You have to be psychotic in your desire to do something. People always like the easy route. You have to push very hard to get something unusual, something different." Andrew Macdonald, producer of *Trainspotting*, said "Boyle takes a subject that you've often seen portrayed realistically, in a politically correct way, whether it's junkies or slum orphans, and he has managed to make it realistic but also incredibly uplifting and joyful." The success led a deal with Fox Searchlight.

### 2010s: *127 Hours*, *Steve Jobs* and *T2 Trainspotting*

In 2010, Boyle directed the film *127 Hours*, starring James Franco and featuring Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara. It was based on Aron Ralston's autobiography *Between a Rock and a Hard Place*, which detailed his struggle of being trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone in Bluejohn Canyon, southeastern Utah. The film was released on 5 November 2010 to critical acclaim and got six nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Boyle and Best Actor for Franco.

 File:MJK31249 T2 Trainspotting (Berlinale 2017).jpg
Boyle's next film was *Trance*, starring James McAvoy and Rosario Dawson. It has been reported another instalment of the *28 Days Later* franchise is in the development stages. Boyle has stated previously that in theory the third instalment of the series would be titled *28 Months Later*, but alluded to a film taking place somewhere else in the world he created in *28 Days Later* and *28 Weeks Later*. He was also stated to be producing the upcoming film *Paani*.

Boyle told an interviewer about the eclectic range of his films, "There's a theme running through all of them—and I just realised this. They're all about someone facing impossible odds and overcoming them." With a strong interest in music, Boyle has mentioned in interviews that he has considered a musical film with original compositions. Boyle has also expressed interest in an animated film.

Boyle's eponymous biopic of Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs closed the 59th BFI London Film Festival. It was the third time Boyle has had that honour, after *Slumdog Millionaire* in 2008 and *127 Hours* two years later. The BFI's London Film Festival Director, Clare Stewart, said Boyle had created an exhilarating and audacious film about a complex, charismatic pioneer. He then directed the sequel to *Trainspotting*, *T2 Trainspotting*.

In a BBC interview, Boyle stated that he didn't write his own films but they did reflect his personality. "I am not a big auteur fan and like to work with writers, but ultimately a film is a director's vision, because he gets all its elements together towards that vision."

In March 2018, Boyle confirmed he would be directing the then-untitled twenty-fifth James Bond film but dropped out that August due to a dispute over the film's script.

He and writer Richard Curtis collaborated on *Yesterday*, starring Himesh Patel, Kate McKinnon, Lily James and Ed Sheeran, released on 28 June 2019.

## Personal life

While at university, Boyle dated actress Frances Barber. He was in a relationship with casting director Gail Stevens from 1983 to 2003, with whom he has three children: Gabriel, Grace, and Caitlin.

Boyle is a republican. He lives in Mile End, London.

Boyle is the patron of North West-based young people's substance misuse charity, Early Break, which was founded and based in his home town of Radcliffe. He is also a trustee of the UK-based African arts charity Dramatic Need.

In February 2017, Boyle announced a bid to launch a £30 million film and media school in Manchester, stating: "This is just what Manchester needs and I am delighted to be part of the International Screen School Manchester."

## Filmography

### Film

#### as director

**as producer**

* *Twin Town* (1997) (executive)
* *28 Weeks Later* (2007) (executive)
* *Battle of the Sexes*

## Recognition

In 2010, *The Tablet* named Boyle one of Britain's most influential Roman Catholics. The BBC referred to Boyle as a "titan of the British film industry – renowned for his spunky grit – typified by his 1996 film *Trainspotting*." In 2012, Boyle was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles' *Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band* album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures of his lifetime.

## Bibliography

* *The Filmmakers Filmlovers Survival Triva Cookbook* (1984)
* *Slumdog Millionaire, Class Set: Helbling Readers Movies/Level 5 (B1)* (with Paul Shipton, 2013)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:Who's Who Template:Subscription
2. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Hedgecoe, Guy (17 June 2010). "Danny Boyle To Oversee 2012 Olympic Ceremony". *The Huffington Post*. Associated Press.
3. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Oscar Winning Director Danny Boyle Says He Turned Down A Knighthood". *The Huffington Post*. Associated Press. 19 March 2013.
4. ↑ Stage New Manchester venue Home appoints Danny Boyle as patron.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rebecca Flint Marx (2009). "Danny Boyle". Movies & TV Dept. *The New York Times*. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
6. ↑ Template:Cite journal
7. ↑ Kolan, Patrick (2007-03-14). Interview: Danny Boyle.
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12. ↑ Slumdog Millionaire fast becoming one of year's major films.. Bangor University.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Grice, Elizabeth (24 February 2009). "From fleapit to the red carpet". *The Daily Telegraph*. London. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
14. ↑ Danny Boyle.
15. ↑ The Danny Boyle Project, Part Five: "Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise". *Vanity Fair*.
16. ↑ Danny Boyle to Direct Frankenstein for UK's National Theatre. DreadCentral (2012-07-16).
17. ↑ Frankenstein – Productions – National Theatre.
18. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Celebrity Laps". BBC Two. 26 May 2018.
19. ↑ Prudom, Laura (2014-10-15). Danny Boyle Signs First-Look Deal with FX Prods. (en-US).
20. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Media reaction to London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony". *BBC News*. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
21. ↑ London Olympics opening ceremony kicks off (28 July 2012).
22. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Lyall, Sarah (27 July 2012). "A Five-Ring Opening Circus, Weirdly and Unabashedly British". *The New York Times*.
23. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Media reaction to London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony". *BBC News*. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
24. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Danny Boyle: The Golden boy is back". *Independent*. 26 May 2018.
25. ↑ Trainspotting/Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle charts the rise of the Sex Pistols in new TV series Pistol (January 11, 2021).
26. ↑ Boyle, Danny. Interview by Robert K. Elder. *The Film That Changed My Life* by Robert K. Elder. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2011. N. p28. Print.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Template:Harvnb
28. ↑ Template:Cite journal
29. ↑ *British Film Institute - Top 100 British Films* (1999). Retrieved August 27, 2016
30. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Martinson, Jane (5 April 2007). "Bringing a ray of sunshine to British films". *The Guardian*. London.
31. ↑ Danny Boyle Asked About 'Alien 4', 'Lady Vengeance', '28 Days Later...' Sequel, and More. WeAreMovieGeeks (2009-01-08).
32. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Hiscock, John (3 April 2007). "Another bright idea from Mr Sunshine". *The Daily Telegraph*. London. Retrieved 26 February 2009.
33. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kermode, Mark (15 February 2008). "Aliens come to Wales". *The Guardian*. London. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
34. ↑ Frank Cottrell Boyce: Writersroom. BBC.
35. ↑ Sunshine (IMDB).
36. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Anita Singh (23 February 2009). "Oscar winners: Slumdog Millionaire and Kate Winslet lead British film sweep". *The Daily Telegraph*. London. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
37. ↑ Template:Cite journal
38. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (2009-06-12). Danny Boyle signs 3-year deal (en-US).
39. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Williams, Joe (25 January 2011). "Oscar nominations confirm it's good to be 'King'". *St. Louis Post-Dispatch*. Lee Enterprises. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
40. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Germain, David (25 January 2011). "'King's Speech' rules with 12 Oscar nominations". *U-T San Diego*. MLIM Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
41. ↑ Danny Boyle On '28 Months Later': It's Not Called '28 Months Later'!. *MTV Movies Blog*.
42. ↑ dreadcentral.com, "UPDATED: Exclusive: Danny Boyle Directing the Next 28 Days Later Sequel". Retrieved 18 October 2010.
43. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Danny Boyle to produce Paani". *The Times of India*. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
44. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Himes, Geoffrey (12 March 2013). "SXSW: Danny Boyle talks up new film *Trance*". *Baltimore City Paper*. Baltimore, Maryland. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013.
45. ↑ MOVIE CON III: Danny Boyle and Christian Colson Part 3. *Empire*.
46. ↑ What's Worth Seeing: Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs to close LFF 2015 (2015-08-07).
47. ↑ Danny Boyle talks Trainspotting Sequel, Porno. /Film.
48. ↑ Template:Citation
49. ↑ 'Trainspotting' director Danny Boyle confirms he will be directing the next James Bond movie (March 15, 2018).
50. ↑ Danny Boyle says script dispute made him quit Bond 25 (21 March 2019).
51. ↑ Danny Boyle Breaks Silence on Bond 25 Exit: 'It's Just a Great Shame' (21 March 2019).
52. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (19 September 2018). Danny Boyle-Richard Curtis Musical Comedy Tunes Up For Summer 2019 Release – Update.
53. ↑ Template:Citation
54. ↑ Danny Boyle at IMDb
55. ↑ The monarchy will be abolished in my lifetime, says Danny Boyle (en) (2013-03-09).
56. ↑ Amy Raphael (Aug 28, 2010). Danny Boyle: the director who keeps his Oscar in a shoe bag. Retrieved on September 19, 2021.
57. ↑ Template:Citation
58. ↑ Template:Citation
59. ↑ Kroll, Justin (2020-05-15). Danny Boyle to Direct 'Methuselah' Starring Michael B. Jordan (EXCLUSIVE) (en).
60. ↑ The Tablet's Top 100.
61. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"What will director Danny Boyle bring to James Bond?". BBC. 26 May 2018.
62. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"New faces on Sgt Pepper album cover for artist Peter Blake's 80th birthday". *The Guardian*. 5 October 2016.
63. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Sir Peter Blake's new Beatles' Sgt Pepper's album cover". BBC. 8 November 2016.

## External links

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* Danny Boyle at IMDb
* Template:Screenonline name

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