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Actress Kelly Macdonald Explains Why The Brave Video Game Was More Challenging Than The Pixar Film

This article is more than 10 years old.

Best known for her captivating role in HBO’s Emmy Award-winning HBO series, “Boardwalk Empire,” actress Kelly MacDonald is about to become a household name. She’s the latest actress to bring a Disney Princess to life, but the first to take a female lead in a Pixar film. MacDonald plays Merida in Brave, a headstrong teenager who wants to enjoy her freedom – as well as the open expanse of the Scottish Highlands.

“I think she’s a strong role model, because she’s a character that creates her own situations and problems, but she resolves them herself,” said Macdonald. “She doesn’t need a prince to come in and rescue her; that’s not the way she is.”

MacDonald was the only member of the Scottish cast – which includes Craig Ferguson, Kevin McKidd, Billy Connelly and Robbie Coltrane -- to reprise their role in Disney Interactive’s Brave: The Video Game.

“It was great working on the game,” said Macdonald. “We did a junket in Edinburgh, and I had to go in the other room with the video game set up. It was really fun, and it was also weird because I had more to do in the video game, dialog wise, than the actual film. It was really fun. I enjoyed doing the video game.”

Gamers can go on new adventures and experience non-stop action as they run, jump and battle their way through the rugged landscape of mythical and mysterious Scotland. By utilizing their wits and bravery, players will face off against fierce enemies to end an ancient curse and save the kingdom. In addition, they will be able to go on quests through a mystical world and solve puzzles to uncover secrets.

The game offers a variety of gameplay options, including single-player as Merida, co-op mode with a will o’ the wisp, and a special Bear mode. Several new opponents created exclusively for the game will challenge the player throughout the experience, culminating with an ultimate boss battle to complete the adventure.

Macdonald did go through some gaming phases growing up, herself.

“I did have Donkey Kong, which I was addicted to,” said Macdonald. “Then when I was in my 20s, I got into Abe’s Odyssey. My husband and I got really entrenched in that world for a while. Then my husband went onto The Simpsons game, which I wasn’t really interested in, and that was it. Video games were over for me at that point.”

And now Macdonald is a video game character, Merida.

“I know,” she said. “It’s ironic. I think the game is an added bonus. It’s like getting to see the film in 3D, as well. The film is great, and I’m so proud of it. Everybody seems to really like it. The game keeps that feeling going.”

Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane).

Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery.

“I think Pixar can keep going,” said Macdonald. “It’s amazing that every Pixar film that comes out is the cutting edge technology at that time, and it gets better and better. But you look back at Toy Story, the first Pixar film, and you don’t look at it and think, I wish they could do it with today’s technology. It stands up and looks amazing.”

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, Brave is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages around the world have come to eagerly expect. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, presented in Disney Digital 3D in select theaters.

“I’ve seen one 3D film, so it’s not my area of expertise, but this movie is amazing and the new Dolby Atmos sound is very awesome,” said Macdonald.

Fans of the film, including aspiring independent princesses, can further the adventure with the Brave game. Developer Behavior Interactive has worked with Pixar to expand the experience beyond the scope of the film, offering new territory for Merida to explore.