It was never gonna work, Macdonald said to laughs from the packed ground in Edinburgh.
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Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac were later cast in the films lead roles.
The cast was young and hard-working and committed, Garland said of hisEx Machinacrew.
Alex Garland and Andrew Macdonald.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Moet British Independent Film Awards.
We had a friendly crew that believed in the project and were working hard.
There was a good vibe, and everyone was pulling together.
The problem the film had had nothing to do with the source material.
That was a brilliant novel.
The film hit a particular note but then didnt vary that note.
Its a good film in some ways, but flawed in that respect.
Garland added: The reason that theEx Machinadisco dancing scene exists is because ofNever Let Me Go.
I thought I had to disrupt what was happening in the film.
I couldnt be afraid to disrupt the tone.
In fact, I had to seek out to disrupt the tone.
And it turned out to be a GIF.
The pair have once again reteamed to revisit one of their earlier projects, the zombie flick28 days later.
Garland has penned a sequel titled28 Years Later, which is set as thefirst part of a28 Yearstrilogy.
Tomorrow morning we start part two.
And then we hope theres gonna be a third part and its a trilogy, Macdonald said.
The Edinburgh Film Festival ends on Wednesday.
