Jeremy in Pratchett drama - Mar 5 2008
Fans of iconic actor Jeremy Irons will be pleased to hear he has a perfect cameo role in the new Terry Pratchett TV adaptation.

The Oscar-winner, 59, will play The Patrician alongside Sir David Jason as ex-student wizard Rincewind in Sky One’s The Colour Of Magic, to be shown at Easter.

Speaking at the show’s star-studded premiere, author Terry Pratchett revealed he was very involved in the production and had even rewritten part of the script when he knew Jeremy, his "first choice" for the part, had got it.

"They phoned me to say who should play The Patrician and they chose the one I wanted. When I knew it was Jeremy, I changed the script because I knew how he would enunciate ’now what should I do with you, you little scamp?’" he said.

Terry, who recently revealed he is suffering from a rare form of early Alzheimer’s disease, said a special Colour Of Magic auction will be taking place on eBay to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association charity.

Director and writer Vadim Jean also revealed that Sky plans to make more of Terry Pratchett’s works and the next project is likely to be Going Postal.

Jeremy won’t revisit Brideshead? - April 2 2007
Jeremy Irons has apparently turned down a role in the big screen version of Brideshead Revisited.

The Oscar-winning actor - who made his name playing Charles Ryder in the TV version of Evelyn Waugh’s famous novel - was offered the part of Lord Marchmain, which was played by Lord Laurence Olivier on the small screen, the Daily Express reports.

But Jeremy apparently told the paper he couldn’t follow in the legendary actor’s footsteps.

"I couldn’t possibly put my feet in Olivier’s shoes," he is quoted as saying.

And neither could he remember what it felt like to work with Lord Olivier.

"I can’t remember what I did yesterday, let alone 10 years ago," he said.

The film, due to be released next year, will star rising British actors Matthew Goode and Ben Whishaw as Charles Ryder and flamboyant aristocratic friend Sebastian Flyte.

Hayley Atwell, who recently starred in ITV1’s Mansfield Park, will play Sebastian’s sister Julia. Other cast members are yet to be announced.

Stars fired up for Dragon movie - Dec 12 2006
Actor Jeremy Irons said it was "down to all of us" to change the world, after being inspired by his latest film character.

Speaking at the world premiere of his new film Eragon last night, he said he was drawn to his character, Brom. see photos

"I like the fact that he is quite a hidden man and that he’s a man who has a past, a man who has heart, and a man who is waiting for something to happen to make the world better, which is what we all are," he said.

The film is based on Christopher Paolini’s debut fantasy novel about a young farm boy who stumbles upon a dragon’s egg and embarks on an epic journey to save his kingdom.

At the premiere, the author said he had always imagined the books would be made into a film, but was impressed when he saw the production.

"When I would hear one of the actors say a line which was right from the book, I would get a chill down my spine," he said.

Newcomer Ed Speleers, who plays the lead, said his character "means well, is humble and has a very good heart".

Asked whether he bore any similarity to his on-screen persona, the actor replied: "No, I am an absolute a**ehole."