John Hodge
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
A practicing physician in Britain, the Scottish-born John Hodge began a second career as a well-regarded screenwriter in the 1990s. He has also forged a working relationship with director Danny Boyle and actor Ewan McGregor. His first produced script, "Shallow Grave" (1994), was an original thriller centering on three Scottish roommates who take in a border who dies. The trio then discover a suitcase full of money and their greed and dark sides surface, revealing the superficial nature of privilege and breeding when money is involved. A critical success, the feature also marked Hodge's debut as an actor in the small role of a detective constable.
Although he returned to his medical practice, Hodge continued to write scenarios. His sophomore effort was the adaptation of Irvin Welsh's novel "Trainspotting" (1995; released in the US in 1996), an ensemble piece delving into the drug culture of Glasgow. Like "Shallow Grave," it demonstrated the influence of American films on Hodge's work, with its devotion to story over mere character development. Thrillingly directed by Boyle and featuring a star-making turn by McGregor, "Trainspotting" courted controversy with its intense depiction of heroin use. Hodge received the 1995 British Academy Award for his script. Hodge and Boyle next fashioned "A Life Less Ordinary" (1997), a road picture with romantic comedy overtones that teamed McGregor and Cameron Diaz.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Writer (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1987
Worked as physician at Scottish hospitals
1991
Met Andrew Macdonald at Edinburgh Film Festival
1993
Moved to London; continued working as physician
1994
Wrote first feature film "Shallow Grave," directed by Danny Boyle, produced by Andrew Macdonald, and featuring Ewan McGregor; also made acting debut with minor role
1996
Wrote screen adaptation of Irvin Welsh novel "Trainspotting," also directed by Boyle and featuring McGregor; made cameo as a security officer
1997
Third screen collaboration with Boyle and McGregor, romantic comedy "A Life Less Ordinary"
2000
Adapted Alex Garland's novel "The Beach," directed by Boyle and produced by Macdonald; McGregor originally expected to star but due to other commitments, lead role given to Leonardo DiCaprio
2001
Penned "The Final Curtain," directed by Patrick Harkins
2002
Scripted short film "Alien Love Triangle"
2007
Wrote screenplay for fantasy drama "The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising"
2012
Co-wrote "The Sweeney" with director Nick Love
2013
Re-teamed with director Danny Boyle as co-writer (with Joe Ahearne) drama-thriller "Trance"
Family
Companions
