After appearing in Mel Gibson’s bestselling movie “Braveheart” as Robert the Bruce, actor Angus Macfadyen appeared again on the silver screen playing the same character in the 2020 movie “Robert the Bruce.” But unlike the Robert the Bruce in Braveheart, who was portrayed as a weak leader who was willing to take different sides to win, Macfadyen returns in the new movie as a hero.
In an interview with BBC, Macfadyen shared how he spent the next 13 years after Braveheart creating a heroic version of Robert the Bruce. As the co-writer of the new movie, Macfadyen painstakingly lived up to the character of Robert the Bruce, who did not give up until his dream was achieved. However, Macfadyen said the success of the movie did not come without challenges, which he shared with BBC.
1. International cast - The movie retells an important part of Scotland’s history. However, most of the main actors were not Scottish. Jared Harris is an Englishman. Anna Hutchinson is a New Zealander. Zach McGowan and Emma Kenney are Americans. Apart from Macfayden, Daniel Portman was the only Scot among the main characters. Macfadyen said one of his greatest fears in the making of the movie was how to make the accents of the actors right. Macfadyen recalled how Gibson’s Australian accent in the Braveheart was severely criticized.
2. Economic situation - The producers had to tackle a difficult economic situation at the time of the shooting. To save money, the producers shot many scenes in Montana since many of the members of the production crew were based in the US. Fortunately, the topography of Montana has close semblance to Scotland. Macfadyen said only a few scenes were shot in Scotland, such as battle scenes and scenes in castles and the fort.
3. US theatrical release - The movie was ready for theatrical exhibition at a time when the world was facing the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of travel restrictions, the US theatrical release of Robert the Bruce was canceled indefinitely. Instead, the movie was released digitally and on VOD on June 24, 2020.
