James McAvoy has reportedly been attacked while visiting Toronto for the premiere of his directorial debut California Schemin’.
James McAvoy has been ‘attacked'(Image: Getty Images)
James McAvoy has been allegedly attacked by a stranger in a Toronto bar while in the city for the premiere of his directorial debut California Schemin’.
On Monday September 8, the Glasgow Hollywood star, 46, was enjoying a quiet night out with his wife, Lisa Liberati, in Charlotte’s Bar.
He was understood to be in the Canadian city for the world premiere of California Schemin’ at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
However things turned ugly at around 11.55pm when the X-Men hero was caught off guard and punched by a man, reports People.
McAvoy reportedly tried to then deescalate the situation as others intervened to remove the attacker. The award-winning actor isn’t believed to have suffered any injuries.
Glasgow-born star McAvoy will take on a supporting role in the movie(Image: Daily Record)
A source close to McAvoy told the publication: “James was having a casual get-together with the producers of his movie and, as he later learned when speaking with the staff, there was a man who drank too much who was getting escorted out. James’ back was to him and the man just punched him.”
The source also stated that following the assault, McAvoy stayed in the pub and laughed off the ambush with punters and staff.
McAvoy’s directorial debut movie premiere took place at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday.
The film follows the crazy true story of urge-to-be rappers from Dundee – Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd – who reinvented themselves as Eminem protégés, Silibil N’ Brains, from California while even blagging themselves a record deal and appearing on MTV.
The actor was seen at Glasgow’s Queen Street’s platform five shooting scenes for California Schemin’ on Thursday November 14. Extras were also spotted walking along the platform and boarding a train during filming.
Filming took place around Glasgow between November 6 and 20 at locations including Maryhill, Park Circus, Glasgow Green and The Barras Market.
McAvoy as Charles Xavier in The X-Men(Image: Getty Images)
A free noughties-themed gig also took place at the Barrowlands Ballroom on November 21 as part of filming.
Speaking to Deadline about the movie back in May last year, James said: “I’m proud to announce that for my directorial debut I will be telling the true Scottish story of Silibil ‘n’ Brains. California Schemin’ is as rooted in the California rap scene of the early 2000’s as it is in the working-class Scottish setting where our story begins. With California Schemin’ I’ll be telling a story about friendship, rap and glorious failure that has the potential to move, shock and entertain.
“Adapted by Archie Thompson, we have a script that brilliantly captures the desperation, bravery, talent and sheer con artist genius of our Scottish rapping duo Silibil’n’Brains while with Samuel Bottomley and Seamus McClean Ross we have two special young actors who I feel privileged to be telling this story with on my debut feature.”
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