Slumdog director Boyle to mastermind London 2012 ceremonies

OSCAR winning Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle will be the creative inspiration behind the opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

CREW: Joining Danny Boyle will be executive producers, Stephen Daldry, Mark Fisher, Hamish Hamilton and Catherine Ugwu, for the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Getty Images)

The filmmaker and producer, whose credits also include Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, has been appointed artistic director, as has been widely predicted in recent weeks.

He will be joined by a team of four executive producers, including much decorated film and theatre director Stephen Daldry.

Mark Fisher, one of the masterminds behind Beijing's ceremonies, will be responsible for design. BAFTA nominated TV director Hamish Hamilton will look after broadcast ,while Catherine Ugwu, who produced the Commonwealth Games ceremonies in Manchester eight years ago, will take on production.

An artistic director for the Olympic closing ceremony and one for the Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies will be appointed later this year.

"I'm honoured to have been invited to be the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games," said Doyle.

"It's a completely unique opportunity to contribute to what I'm sure are going to be a fantastic Games, I'm really excited to be involved."

Mills Studio in East London will be the ceremonies production centre with more than 450 expected to be employed, plus hundreds of contractors and volunteers, in the run-up to 2012.

‘These Games are bringing together world-class British talent,” said London 2012 chairman Lord Coe. 

“Each one of these individuals would hold their own on the worldwide stage and they are joining names like children’s author Michael Morpurgo who has created the story behind our highly successful mascots. 

“We are delighted with the team we have brought together to deliver our ceremonies in 2012.”

London officials have been quick to claim they would not spend the lavish sums on producing their ceremonies as their predecessors in Beijing two years ago, after they appointed world renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to delivering an awe-inspiring show.

"The opening and closing ceremonies are the jewels in the crown of any Olympics and Paralympics and are one of the benchmarks against which all Games are judged," said Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport.

"I am very pleased that British directors and producers of such outstanding international calibre and acclaim have given their backing to London 2012.

"With their creativity and expertises on board, I’m sure that London’s showpiece events will make Britain proud."