Box Office Smashing Results for 2017

One of the world’s biggest and most beloved movie franchises, Avengers: Infinity War filmed in Edinburgh for seven weeks last March and April. With a further three months of advance preparations, and after a year of facilitation between Film Edinburgh and Marvel executives, it demonstrates that Edinburgh has the infrastructure and process in place to accommodate and welcome big budget productions. Joe Russo, Director of Avengers: Infinity War, said at the time of filming: ‘When Edinburgh came up as a location option we jumped at the chance…The city is such a unique and iconic location, but one never seen as the backdrop for a big action film...’

Further drama highlights of 2017 include; the feature film Mary Queen of Scots starring BAFTA nominated Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie; Outlaw King, David Mackenzie’s feature film about Robert the Bruce; TV dramas Trust Me and Liar; and Outlander which featured Edinburgh’s Craigmillar Castle and Old Town in season 3.

Also showcasing the city region to millions of viewers around the UK were: Songs of Praise, Britain’s Coastal Railways with Julie Walters, Bargain Hunt, Robbie Coltrane’s Critical Evidence, Location Location Location, Hunted, Ready Or Not, Geordie Shore, Super Shoppers, Grand Designs, X Factor and The Voice.

With a total of 1,068 days of filming, there were 348 productions made in the city in 2017, including 11 feature films, 7 TV dramas, 88 factual shows, 24 commercials and countless other programmes produced in the city with assistance from Film Edinburgh.

Rosie Ellison, Film Manager for Film Edinburgh
‘It has been a fantastic year at Film Edinburgh, and of course the impact of Avengers: Infinity War has been a large contributor to that. We are looking forward to the film opening in April, and encourage fans to come and see it in Edinburgh!

Accommodating feature films like Avengers: Infinity War shows the industry that not only is Edinburgh a uniquely stunning and historical location, it also has the infrastructure in place to support big budget productions, and we are hugely proud to have worked on such a range of exciting projects this year.’

Councillor Gavin Barrie, Edinburgh’s Economy Convener, said: ‘Our cobbled streets, historic properties and stunning green spaces have set the scene for some of cinema’s greatest superheroes over the last year thanks to a citywide effort to secure such A-list productions. We know 40% of visitors to the UK are attracted to places they have seen on screen and the Marvel franchise will promote Edinburgh to audiences all over the world.

‘I’m sure local film-goers will also enjoy seeing their home city take centre stage when Avengers: Infinity War is in cinemas and it would be fantastic if the producers could bring a special premiere or screening to the city to celebrate its release. We have asked the Russo Brothers to consider whether this might be possible.

‘Today’s Film Edinburgh’s figures speak for themselves and the Council will continue to do all it can to support Edinburgh on screen and the more than £16m economic boost it brings, which supports our local film and creative industries.’

Matt Jones: Supervising Location Manager for Avengers and for Outlaw King: ‘I have worked all over the world on feature films and it was a real pleasure to come back to Edinburgh in 2017 with Avengers: Infinity War and Outlaw King. That Edinburgh is able to host this scale of production is a real credit to the city, and I have to say that we felt supported every step of the way by the City Council and its film office Film Edinburgh who went out of their way to make us feel welcome and to facilitate our requirements.’

Find out more about the films that have been shot in the Edinburgh city region here.