Alex Garland and Andrew Macdonald Discuss Career Highlights
Filmmaker Alex Garland and producer Andrew Macdonald reflect on their collaboration, discuss their favorite projects, and share details on the upcoming “28 Days” zombie trilogy at the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Bollywood Fever: Filmmaker Alex Garland and his long-time collaborator and producer, Andrew Macdonald, captivated a packed room of industry professionals at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on Sunday.
The duo, known for their work on films such as The Beach (2000), 28 Days Later (2002), Ex Machina (2014), and most recently Civil War (2024), took the audience on a journey through their career-spanning relationship, shared insights on their favorite projects, and provided exciting updates on the upcoming “28 Days” zombie trilogy.
Garland, who initially began his career as a novelist before transitioning into screenwriting and directing, spoke candidly about his experiences in the film industry.
Despite his impressive directorial achievements, Garland revealed that he never intended to become a director. “I never wanted to be a director,” he admitted, jokingly adding, “I wanted to stop directors from changing things, and the only way to do that was by occupying that position.”
Among his diverse body of work, Garland singled out Ex Machina as his favorite project, citing the ease and enjoyment of the filmmaking process. “I enjoyed Ex Machina very much… It was an easy film to make,” Garland shared.
He described the experience as logistically straightforward, with a small cast and a supportive, hardworking crew that contributed to a positive atmosphere on set.
The film, which stars Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander, has since become a modern sci-fi classic.
Garland also contrasted the harmonious experience of Ex Machina with other “toxic” film sets he and Macdonald have endured, where “bitching” and “fallings out” created unpleasant working environments.
For Garland, Ex Machina served as an antidote to those toxic experiences, offering a refreshing and collaborative atmosphere.
The conversation then shifted to the highly anticipated continuation of the “28 Days” zombie franchise. Macdonald confirmed that 28 Years Later, with a budget of approximately $75 million, will be the first installment of a planned trilogy.
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Garland, the film has already completed shooting.
Macdonald revealed that production on the second film in the trilogy was set to begin imminently, with hopes of completing the trilogy in the coming years.
The films will be set in the north of England and will feature an all-British cast.
Garland and Macdonald also reflected on the challenges of making their latest release, Civil War, a dystopian film set in a future America.
The production faced significant hurdles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including delays and difficulties in obtaining visas to film in the United States.
Despite these challenges, the film was completed with the support of A24, who backed Garland’s vision with one of the largest budgets the studio had ever allocated at the time.
Addressing the political themes of Civil War, Garland spoke passionately about his centrist political stance. He pushed back against the notion that centrism is apolitical, stating, “Centrism is a position you can take.
It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right one. It’s my one. The idea that centrism is apolitical is just stupid.”
Civil War, which was both written and directed by Garland, has been well-received, grossing over $122 million worldwide.
As Garland and Macdonald continue to push the boundaries of genre filmmaking, their upcoming projects, including the new “28 Days” trilogy, promise to further solidify their legacy in the industry.
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