Ewan McGregor "Long Way Down" Posted By Mike on August 17, 2008
Ewan McGregor has embarked on his second major motorcycle voyage, since traveling from Scotland to New York through Europe and Asia. He is currently working his way, via his bike, from John O' Groats in Scotland to Capetown, South Africa. This will be a charity venture in order to raise funds for UNICEF, the Children's Hospice Association Scotland and the charity Riders For Health.
Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for the short article.
Thanks to TFN's Scott C. for the link and to Jeremy B. for the edit.
UPDATE: From friend of TFN Rob from York in the UK:
"A bit of Star Wars related chat this morning on BBC Radio 1 (UK National Radio Station).
Ewan McGregor is currently undertaking his latest motorcycle adventure down through Africa which will become a BBC TV series. He was interviewed over the phone from North Africa this morning. During the live interview Ewan revealed that whilst riding through Tunisia he visited the location used for the homestead. It's quiet a funny interview and Ewan seems to think that Tatooine had two moons above it instead of setting suns at the end of Episode III?
You can listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/ but you will need to be quick as it only stays on the BBC site for a day or so. Listen again to Thursday 31st May 2007 about 1 hr 15 mins into the programme."
Thanks Rob.
UPDATE #2: "Two men, two continents Day 46 - 6,457 miles to go"
Click here for a new video, at the BBC, of Ewan's and Charley's travels.
Thanks to Tom D. for the link.
UPDATE #3: Tom D. sent us a link to a BBC post where Ewan and friend Charley Boorman answer reader questions about their trip. Click here to check it out and thanks again to Tom.
UPDATE #4: Click here for a new video up at the BBC from Ewan and Charlie as they head through Uganda.
Thanks to Tom D. for the link.
UPDATE #5: Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman have reached their destination in Cape Town, South Africa following a motorcycle trek that started in John O' Groats in Scotland back in May and passed through 18 countries and 2 continents.
Click here for an article at the BBC News website.
Thanks to Barbara S. for the link.
UPDATE #6: Friend of TFN, Tom D., stumbled across a slide show of pics from Ewan's and Charlie's triumphant finish. Click here to check it out at Yahoo News.
Thanks Tom!
UPDATE #7: The BBC is now airing episodes of "The Long Way Down," Ewan McGregor's and Charlie Boorman's motorcycle trek from Scotland to South Africa. Friend of TFN, "JayCee", sent us in the following report:
"In the first episode, which just aired, they are discussing what routes they are taking and (Ewan) mentions an area in Northern Africa where they were they filmed Star Wars and talked about how (it was so hot it) melted his makeup.
Then in a random cut as he and Charlie are leaning over a map of Africa, Ewan says "just like Beggar's Canyon back home".
Later, as they are going through Scotland, they stop at a new hospital for Unicef (a charity Ewan is passionate about) and it shows him autographing the Prequel DVD's for some kids. In one clip Ewan discusses a Jedi that doesn't turn out to be so good afterall, which I assume is Anakin but unsure, not enough details from the clip but he was signing EPIII at the time.
UPDATE #9: Friend of TFN, "JayCee", was nice enough to send us another report, this time on Episode 2. (of Long Way Down not Attack of the Clones):
"For Star Wars fans, Ewan and Charlie visit the original set of the Moisture Farm while in Tunisia. They take pictures and have general fun being 'tourists'. No one recognizes Ewan dispite having McGregor written on the back of his shirt and his face on posters on the walls. Afterwards, Ewan says, a bit cheeky like, "I expected to be mobbed andI wasn't, much to the shame of my egotistcal arrogance," or something like that.
For history buffs, they visit some historical sites, such as the oldest Roman road in Italy, Roman Ampitheatres in El Jem, Tunisia, and Roman city Leptis Magna in Sabratha, Libya, all wonderful and beautiful ancient ruins.
For the girls, naked Ewan in the shower, 'nuff said."
Thanks to "JayCee" for her report and her enlightening editorial. Click here for the episode at the BBC.
UPDATE #10: Acording to ClubJade.net, the "Long Way Down" motorcycle trek of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman is headed to U.S. audiences:
UPDATE #11: Our friend Tom wrote in to share the following:
"If you guys haven't heard already, on the next episode of Ewan's "Long Way Down" series, he and Charlie are going to be stopping off in Tunisia at the location where the Beru moisture farm was filmed."
Thanks Tom!
UPDATE #12: More on Ewan's return to Tattooine...I mean Tunisia below from the official release:
Get ready STAR WARS fans, Obi-Wan Kenobi returns to Tattooine this Saturday!
Ewan McGregor, who plays Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, and his close friend Charley Boorman travel from John O’Groats, Scotland, to Cape Town, South Africa on motorcycles in the Fox Reality Channel series “Long Way Down.” Their course is over 15,000 miles, takes 85 days, crosses two continents, and is filled with innumerable adventures and challenges. During their journey, Ewan and Charley stop at the location in Tunisia where Ewan shot the Star Wars scenes set on planet Tattooine. This episode of “Long Way Down” airs on Saturday, August 16, at 9:00pm ET/PT on Fox Reality Channel. Here is the episode description:
Long Way Down #103 (Italy → Libya)– Saturday, August 16, at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Fox Reality Channel
Ewan and Charley are in a race against time as they must reach Sicily in time to catch the ferry to Africa, otherwise the entire trip will be delayed an entire week as they wait for the next ferry. Luckily they make it in time and enter into the heated country of Tunisia. They stop at the location where Ewan shot Star Wars and also spend time looking at Roman ruins in Libya."
And then see below for the press release regarding "Long Way Down" on the Fox Realtiy Channel:
EWAN MCGREGOR REVS UP ENGINES IN FOX REALITY CHANNEL’S NEWEST ORIGINAL SERIES “LONG WAY DOWN” PREMIERING AUGUST 2 AT 9pET/PT
2 Best Friends, 15,000 miles, 1 Epic Adventure:
Fox Reality Channel invites viewers on another amazing motorcycle journey with
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in the follow up to the hit series “Long Way Round”.
LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2008) – Fox Reality Channel, the only all reality, all the time cable and satellite network, presents another new original series, “Long Way Down.” Featuring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, this is a follow-up series to “Long Way Round”, which also airs on Fox Reality Channel. This time, the team’s 15,000 mile journey has them traveling through volatile political hotbeds, treacherous road conditions and stunning natural wonders. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime when “Long Way Down” makes its US television premiere on Fox Reality Channel, Saturday, August 2 at 9pET/PT. The series was directed and executive produced by David Alexanian (Elixir Films) and Russ Malkin (Big Earth), who also served in the same capacities on “Long Way Round.”
Best friends, McGregor and Boorman travel through numerous countries including Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Namibia, taking time to examine the various cultures and natural wonders they encounter along the way. Their course takes 85 days, crosses two continents and is filled with innumerable adventures and challenges. McGregor’s wife, Eve Mavrakis, joins the show for the first time, and introduces an all new dynamic to the team as she rides along with them for a leg of the journey. In addition to lending a personal hand to projects for UNICEF, McGregor and Boorman also raised over $1 million for Children’s Hospice Association and Riders for Health through the show.
“Ewan and Charley’s journey from Scotland to South Africa is even more demanding, more riveting and more real than their previous journey,” said David Lyle, President, Fox Reality Channel. “Fox Reality Channel is the home of exciting domestic and international reality TV covering a wide range of formats, and this barrier-breaking series fits well within the network’s programming strategy.”
Fox Reality Channel is bringing the popular series to American audiences for the first time after its successful run as the #2 program on the BBC2 (UK) when it aired there last fall. Fulfilling its brand promise, Fox Reality Channel is also going to extend the consumer experience by producing a comprehensive microsite, which will include exclusive video content, an interactive map and the exclusive “Long Way Down Explore! Sweeptakes” sending a lucky viewer on their own African adventure. Additionally, a hardcover book called Long Way Down chronicling McGregor and Boorman’s journey will be released by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, on July 15. EMI America Records will release the series’ soundtrack on CD and digitally, August 5. In October, upon conclusion of the series run on Fox Reality Channel, EMI America Records will release “Long Way Down” on DVD.
About Fox Reality Channel Fox Reality Channel launched May 24, 2005 to become the first destination for lovers of unscripted programming. The channel offers major US network favorites, exclusive international reality programming, Original Series and Specials. Fox Reality Channel offers reality viewers more of their favorite reality programming with RealityRevealed in Primetime with never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, behind the scenes secrets and more reality fun. Fox RealityChannel distribution propelled past 35 million subscribers in its second year, becoming one of only four new networks to achieve that feat. Its programming is available on television, broadband, cellular phones and other leading mobile devices. It recently entered into a sweeping deal with Apple® to deliver upcoming original series to iTunes® (excluding American Idol Extra). To get more information on Fox Reality Channel programs and schedules, please visit foxreality.com.
About Big Earth Big Earth was founded 15 years ago by Russ Malkin and has been responsible for some of the world’s most exhilarating television programmes, including the Long Way Round, Long Way Down, Race to Dakar and Murder or Mutiny. Its current production, By Any Means will follow Charley Boorman as he travels from Ireland to Sydney by any means possible, using a variety of forms of transport.
Big Earth is a one stop shop for developing ideas, finding finance, co-ordinating major international projects and assembling teams to produce TV programmes, books, DVDs from a central idea. With a number of high profile awards under its belt including, 2008 Best Book in the non-fiction category for Long Way Down and winner of the Best Channel Programme Award at the 2005 Broadcast Awards, Big Earth has a proven track record.
About Elixir Films Elixir Films intends to distinguish itself as an innovative producer and financier of independent feature films. The company is committed to help meet the growing demand for smart, character-driven film and television by forging and supporting lasting relationships with individuals of profound creative vision. As a self-funded and truly independent company, Elixir is able to advance the filmmaking process by avoiding the logjam often associated with traditional studio financing.
Although Elixir is passionate about filmed entertainment and its endless potential to communicate, the company aspires to successfully combine that artistic passion with a rigorous and thoughtful approach to sound business.
About Atria Books: Atria Books is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation. In 2007, Atria celebrated its fifth anniversary. In that time, Atria Books has established itself as one of the most successful imprints in publishing today. With 12 New York Times Bestsellers in 2007, including The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, The First Commandment by Brad Thor, Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes, and Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn, Atria Books can now boast over 125 bestsellers in its brief history.
About EMI: EMI Music is the recorded music division of EMI Group Limited, one of the world’s leading music companies. Its EMI Music division represents artists spanning all musical tastes and genres. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Classics, EMI CMG, EMI Records, EMI Televisa Music, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone and Virgin. EMI has been at the cutting edge of the rapidly growing digital music marketplace since it released David Bowie’s ‘Hours’ as the world’s first ever album to be offered as a digital download in 1999. EMI has signed agreements with hundreds of digital partners to distribute its music across the globe, including its premium DRM-free, higher-quality offering sold through partners including Apple iTunes, Amazon.com and more. For further information on EMI, please visit: www.emigroup.com.
Thanks Lisa!
UPDATE #13: Ewan spoke about the Long Way Down journey on the /FilmCast (slashfilm.com's podcast) back in July. Click here to take a listen.
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