Director Kevin Macdonald on the 'Wasteful' Hollywood Era and Brad Pitt's Harsh 'State of Play' Rejection

The Macdonald Brothers Reflect on Their Film Industry Journeys

At the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Kevin and Andrew Macdonald shared insights into their careers during a keynote session. The brothers, known for their contributions to both documentary and fictional filmmaking, discussed the challenges and triumphs of navigating an ever-changing industry.

Kevin Macdonald, an Oscar-winning director for his documentary One Day in September (1999), has also made a name for himself with films like The Last King of Scotland (2006) and State of Play (2009). His work extends to other projects such as Touching the Void (2003) and How I Live Now (2013). Meanwhile, Andrew Macdonald is recognized as a producer who has collaborated with renowned filmmakers like Danny Boyle and Alex Garland on notable works including Trainspotting (1996), The Beach (2000), Ex Machina (2014), and the 28 Days Later franchise.

The session, led by Edinburgh TV Festival boss Rowan Woods, began with a nostalgic look back at the brothers' early days. They shared stories from their short film, which involved interviewing creatives such as Robbie Coltrane, Sam Fuller, and Michael Winner at the 1992 Edinburgh Film Festival. This project was part of their efforts to get Shallow Grave produced, with Sean Connery even making a call from his trailer while filming Rising Sun in Los Angeles.

Throughout the discussion, the brothers explored various topics, including their proudest projects and the complexities of bringing major 21st-century films to life. Kevin spoke candidly about his experience working with Hollywood A-listers on the political thriller State of Play. He described the process of rewriting the script with Tony Gilroy and the high costs involved, only for Brad Pitt to ultimately reject the role. This marked the beginning of what Kevin called a "long, very Hollywood experience," highlighting how certain decisions can lead to wasteful filmmaking practices.

Kevin also shared his experiences working with Russell Crowe on The Last King of Scotland, noting that Crowe could be intimidating and often influenced studio decisions. He recalled a moment when he felt overwhelmed by the situation, telling the studio, “I can't control this, man, we're spending all this money,” while they responded with encouragement.

Another highlight of the conversation was Kevin’s effort to cast Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland. Despite initial resistance from Fox Searchlight, who believed Whitaker was too gentle for the role, Kevin persisted. In the end, Whitaker won an Oscar, proving Kevin's instincts correct. Andrew even managed to sneak into the Oscars’ Vanity Fair party that year, pretending to be Kevin for an interview with British broadcaster Sky News.

When asked about the types of projects he finds worthwhile, Andrew expressed gratitude for working with Alex Garland, whose ability to produce scripts quickly has led to successful collaborations. This partnership has also fostered a strong relationship with A24, which has been central to their recent projects.

Andrew also discussed the challenges of filming 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple back-to-back, emphasizing the importance of key actors from the first film. He praised Nia DaCosta for her work on the second installment, set for release in January 2026.

As the session concluded, Kevin shared his thoughts on the impact of AI in the industry, expressing that many people are overly pessimistic about its effects. He also mentioned his desire to direct Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, filmed over 20 years with Paul Mescal and Ben Platt, calling it a “wonderful idea.”

The Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 will run from August 14 to 20.