Macdonald Brothers Unpack Hollywood’s Highs and Lows at Edinburgh Film Fest

The storied careers of Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald and prolific producer Andrew Macdonald collided on Sunday in a candid, laughter-filled keynote at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The brothers, pivotal figures in British and Hollywood filmmaking, offered a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the triumphs, battles, and absurdities of bringing iconic films to life, sharing war stories that resonated deeply with the industry audience.

What Does It Take to Survive Hollywood Filmmaking?

Kevin Macdonald, recalling his first major foray into studio politics with 2009’s State of Play, painted a picture of a sometimes bewildering Hollywood filmmaking machine. After extensive script rewrites with Tony Gilroy, the project was offered to Brad Pitt. “And he said, ‘I hate it,'” Kevin revealed, setting the stage for a turbulent journey. Russell Crowe eventually took the lead, but his presence proved challenging. “Russell Crowe is quite a difficult man… he would intimidate the studio to such a degree that they wouldn’t actually want to come to set,” Kevin admitted, recalling frantic calls to executives about the escalating budget and chaos.

The experience highlighted a specific brand of excess. Kevin described building elaborate Washington D.C. sets on a Los Angeles soundstage purely because Pitt initially wanted proximity to his family – a decision later rendered moot when Crowe stepped in. “A certain kind of wasteful Hollywood filmmaking, where they were trying to make intelligent and good films,” he observed wryly.

The Battle for an Iconic Performance

Kevin’s fight for creative vision wasn’t limited to State of Play. He passionately championed Forest Whitaker for the role of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland (2006) against studio skepticism. “Fox Searchlight… said, ‘Forest is totally wrong. He’s so gentle and sweet. He can’t be right,'” Kevin recounted. His persistence paid off spectacularly when Whitaker won the Academy Award for Best Actor. “It’s one of those great things in life… when Searchlight have to admit that you were right. That doesn’t happen very often,” he added with satisfaction. The brothers also shared the lighter anecdote of Andrew sneaking into the Oscars‘ Vanity Fair party that year by impersonating Kevin, even giving an interview to Sky News in his brother’s name.

Producing in the Modern Landscape

Andrew Macdonald, the driving force behind Trainspotting, Ex Machina, and the upcoming 28 Years Later franchise, emphasized the value of strong creative partnerships in navigating today’s industry. “I’ve been very fortunate… to work with [Alex Garland] who can come up with a script, literally, in 24 hours,” he stated. This collaboration led to a fruitful relationship with indie powerhouse A24. Discussing the ambitious back-to-back filming of 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Andrew acknowledged the complexities, particularly for director Nia DaCosta on the second installment: “She probably did the hardest thing — because she had to take some elements that were already in place, that weren’t necessarily her… choice.”

Looking Ahead: AI and Long-Form Ambitions

Addressing audience concerns, Kevin Macdonald expressed a measured view on Artificial Intelligence’s impact, suggesting many in the industry are “overly despondent.” He also revealed a yearning for a project embodying creative ambition: Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, filmed over two decades with Paul Mescal and Ben Platt. “What a wonderful idea… That would be so much fun to do,” he mused.

The Macdonald brothers’ Edinburgh session offered more than nostalgia; it delivered a masterclass in resilience, creative conviction, and the enduring, often messy, passion behind Hollywood filmmaking. Their candid revelations – from Oscar-night capers to battling studio doubts – underscore that great cinema is forged not just on screen, but through unwavering belief and navigating the industry’s complex realities. For aspiring filmmakers and fans alike, their journey is a compelling testament to the art of storytelling against the odds. Follow the Edinburgh International Film Festival for more industry insights (August 14-20, 2025).

Must Know

Q: What famous role did Kevin Macdonald have to fight for?
A: Kevin Macdonald fiercely advocated for Forest Whitaker to play Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland against Fox Searchlight’s initial resistance. They doubted the “gentle” Whitaker could portray the dictator. Whitaker’s Oscar win vindicated Macdonald’s choice.

Q: What challenges did Kevin Macdonald face on State of Play?
A: Kevin faced significant challenges, including Brad Pitt rejecting the script after rewrites, Russell Crowe’s intimidating presence that scared off studio executives, and costly decisions like building D.C. sets in L.A. instead of filming on location.

Q: How does Andrew Macdonald approach producing today?
A: Andrew prioritizes strong writer-director partnerships, like his long-standing collaboration with Alex Garland. This relationship has been central to his recent work, including films with A24 like Ex Machina and the upcoming 28 Years Later films.

Q: What was Andrew Macdonald’s view on filming the 28 Years Later sequels?
A: Andrew explained filming two sequels back-to-back was logistically driven by actor availability. He acknowledged the unique challenge for director Nia DaCosta on the second film, inheriting established elements for The Bone Temple.

Q: What is Kevin Macdonald’s view on AI in filmmaking?
A: Kevin Macdonald suggested at the Edinburgh session that the industry might be “overly despondent” about AI’s impact, indicating a more measured or less alarmist perspective compared to some peers.

Q: What project does Kevin Macdonald admire?
A: Kevin expressed strong admiration for Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, a project filmed incrementally over 20 years with Paul Mescal and Ben Platt, calling it a “wonderful idea.”