Most films that I do, whether successful or not, just fade away. They have their moment in the sun, then they are gone. 'Trainspotting' did not, and especially with journalists. So whenever I launched a new film, I'd end up talking about 'Trainspotting.'

I made this film 'The Beach,' which didn't take place in a city, and it didn't really suit me.

For us, destiny always feels... if you obey, it's almost a passive thing.

The problem with being British... I don't know if it's me being British or being raised a strict Catholic, but you never really enjoy success.

But interestingly Star City's technology is all 1970s - still. In fact, it's alarming because you think, "You're not going to send someone up into space in something that old, are you?" But it works and it always has worked and it doesn't fail and it's incredibly reliable.

The great thing about space films generally, with the exception of Apollo 13, is that big stars tend not to work in space and I think that's because space is an equaliser. It makes everyone the same really and suits an ensemble cast and actors who are prepared to work with each other.

Although I behave in a quite reserved way in my personal life, give me a stage and I'll be as flamboyant as I can.