A main character DIED in early drafts of T2 Trainspotting (exclusive)

‘T2 Trainspotting’ hits UK cinemas nationwide today, but the cast have revealed that one of it’s most iconic characters was actually killed off in an early draft of the script.

Robert Carlyle, reprising his most famous character Francis “Franco” Begbie for the ‘Trainspotting’ sequel, confirmed to Yahoo Movies “he was a goner” in one of the first screenplays they read. It was only the publication in 2016 of Irvine Welsh’s book ‘The Blade Artist’, featuring a reformed Begbie living as a sculptor in America, that saved the character’s bacon.

“Irvine Welsh wrote another book, and [Begbie] wasn’t a goner,” explains Carlyle, “He was very much alive and well, so I have to say I was quite pleased about that. When I read the first draft it was a real emotional read, but it hit me ‘oh my god, Begbie’s dead’.”

Ewen Bremner, back as loveable sad sack Spud, says he campaigned to keep Begbie alive.

“I remember at that read through, I spoke up,” says Bremner, “I said ‘Begbie cannot die, it’s not right. You’ve got to have him alive’.”

Carlyle says he’s up for reprising the role if they ever decide to make ‘The Blade Artist’, admitting “there’s more in this” for Begbie.

‘T2 Trainspotting’ is in UK cinemas now.

Read more
T2 Trainspotting title explained
How Fast & Furious became Hollywood’s diversity saviour
The worst changes made to Star Wars