James Mcavoy Page 4

James McAvoy stars in M. Night Shyamalan's latest psychological thriller 'Split', which follows a man with 23 different personalities. James had to play 9 of them which he admits was a lot of work, but that work was helped by the director's determination to stick to his script to the very end.

James McAvoy stars in M Night Shyamalan's 'Split'

Often during filming, a screenplay is changed as the story comes to life, usually only slightly but sometimes very dramatically. It's not always easy to translate a vision on paper to live action, but M Night Shyamalan knows enough about the process to be able to make the first draft count.

Continue reading: M Night Shyamalan Knows How To Get Exactly What He Wants

X-Men: Apocalypse star James McAvoy and his wife Anne-Marie Duff are to divorce after nine years of marriage, the couple have confirmed. The Scottish actor, who is best known for his role as the young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, married Duff in 2006, after meeting on UK show ‘Shameless’.

James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff have announced their separation.

In a joint statement to People magazine the couple said: "It is with tremendous sadness that we have come to the decision to divorce. We enter this next phase with continued friendship, love and respect for one another and the shared focus of caring for our son. We ask that you respect our and, most importantly, our child's privacy during this time.”

Continue reading: James McAvoy And Anne-Marie Duff Announce Divorce

It seems, according to critics, that 'X-Men Apocalypse' will be joining 'Batman v Superman' in the list of the most disappointing comic book superhero films of 2016, as the franchise returns with much less excitement than the synopsis and trailers suggested. A bit of a Marvel misfire as it were.

'X-Men Apocalypse' hasn't found favour with critics

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what the critics hated most about the latest instalment of the 'X-Men' series, which sees the return of director Bryan Singer in a story about the impending doom of mankind. The confusing plot, the poor character development and some overly blase moments made for 'a franchise-killing disaster' according to Forbes, who also said, 'I am not sure how you make Oscar Isaac as a world-destroying baddie dull, but the powers-that-be have pulled it off.' Ouch!

Continue reading: Has 'X-Men Apocalypse' Doomed The Franchise?

The BBC has teamed up with Netflix to announce a televisual re-make of children’s favourite 'Watership Down', which will feature an all-star cast including new Star Wars actor John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult and James McAvoy among others.

The new four-part animation was announced by the BBC in conjunction with streaming giant Netflix on Wednesday (April 27th), and with a reported budget of nearly £20 million, represents the biggest joint venture between the two organisations to date. Using state of the art animation, it will apparently be broadcast on BBC1 in late 2017, with Netflix giving it its premiere throughout the rest of the world.

John Boyega is to voice 'Bigwig' in a re-make of 'Watership Down' for BBC and Netflix

Continue reading: John Boyega, James McAvoy And Ben Kingsley To Star In BBC / Netflix 'Watership Down' Re-Make

Victor Frankenstein stars James McAvoy as the doctor and Daniel Radcliffe as his assistant Igor, and the two actors developed a close friendship on-set, despite their 10-year age difference and the challenges of making the movie. This is reflected in the film's plot. As McAvoy notes, "Igor has something that Frankenstein needs, so he harnesses him. Frankenstein is very selfish and personally driven, so he's always using, but something of Igor gets through to him and they do form a loving relationship."

But Radcliffe says that the friendship he forged with McAvoy backstage is very different from what's on-screen. "Victor and Igor's relationship is quite an abusive one," he says. "I think James and I are fairly similar in terms of our work ethic. But we're lucky that we get to work in an industry where we can have a lot of fun while doing our jobs." Intriguingly, the character of Igor isn't even in Shelley's novel, but he's been important in the movies. "Victor and the monster have had plenty of time to get acquainted," says Radcliffe. "Now it's time for Victor and Igor! Something I found very interesting is that [screenwriter] Max Landis says one of his big inspirations for writing this film was The Social Network - this idea of two young guys on the tip of the spear of technology who are forging their ways forward and being told no and really overcoming it all with youthful rebellion and a complete lack of self-doubt. I find that rather exciting."

Continue reading: Victor Frankenstein Was A Bonding Experience For Mcavoy And Radcliffe

James McAvoy often gets mistaken for Ewan McGregor.

The 35-year-old actor has revealed supporters have approached him on several occasions because they think he is the 43-year-old Scottish star.

Speaking about one particular incident on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' last night (27.08.14), the actor, who is also from Scotland, recalled: ''I was in the gym not too long ago and this really nice little Argentinean girl came up to me and she was like, 'I love your films' and I was like, 'Thank you very much.'

Continue reading: James McAvoy Mistaken For Ewan McGregor By Fans

Possibly the biggest reunion movie of all time, X-men: Days of Future past isn't just a sequel to 2011's X-men: First Class, but also to the original 2000-2003 trilogy.

James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart confront younger and older versions of themselves in X-Men: Days of Future Past

Back from those first three films are director Bryan Singer, writer Simon Kinberg and cast members Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore and Daniel Cudmore.

Continue reading: X-Men: Back Together Again In Days Of Future Past

The early reviews of X-Men: Days of Future Past were potentially damaging. There was talk of the narrative being far too complex for the average movie fan to enjoy and many were suggesting Bryan Singer had bitten off more than he could chew by having the beloved characters from the original X-Men trilogy joining forces with their younger selves. 

James McAvoy [L] and Patrick Stewart [R]

Starring Sir Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy, X-Men: Days of Future Past is certainly a hotbed of serious acting talent, but very often, big names simply aren't enough to carry a poor script. Luckily, for 20th Century Fox, writers John Byrne, Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman haven't written a poor script. They haven't even written an overly complex script.

Continue reading: With 95%, 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Is The Best X-Men Movie. Period.

It was an ambitious project, but one that seems to have paid off. Transferring Irvine Welsh’s brilliantly disgusting character, Bruce Robertson from page to screen in Filth sees James McAvoy excel, further swelling his already brilliant reputation.

The critics have been waxing lyrical about Filth

The story follows Robertson – who is in fact an officer of the law, he’s PC Robertson – as he goes about his debouched ways. When a promotion rears its head and our benter-then-bent cop is enlisted to solve a brutal murder, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if the aspirations of his colleagues threaten to block his path.

Continue reading: James McAvoy Is Filthy Good In Movie Version Of Irvine Welsh's 'Filth' [Trailer + Pictures]

The temptation to place classic performances, films and music on a pedestal and never let your mind’s eye topple them is strong. We hold a robust affection for culture gone by, and often struggle to let modern talent permeate the pantheon of classic big-screen behemoths.

McAvoy in Welcome to The Punch

'Tosh,' says Irvine Welsh, who asserts that James McAvoy’s performance in Filth is better than that of Robert De Niro’s in Taxi Driver – a turn that would forever ensure him legendary status.

Continue reading: James McAvoy In 'Filth' > Robert De Niro In 'Taxi Driver'? Big Claim

JANE AUSTEN's ring was bought by Kelly Clarkson last year but it's still in the country! The turquoise and gold ring, once owned by Jane Austen, was bought by Clarkson last year at auction. She reported paid £152 450 for the item but has been fighting the British government to take it out of the country.

Kelly Clarkson outside the ITV Studios, London in 2011.

Culture minster Ed Vaizey is ensuring the ring remains on British soil by placing a temporary export bar on it. He has appealed for British buyers to come forward to offer to purchase the ring from the singer. They have until 30th September to match the price paid by Clarkson. If a buyer does not come forward before this time, the export bar will be lifted. 

Continue reading: Jane Austen's Ring Kept In UK - Despite Being Owned By Kelly Clarkson!

The X-Men cast and crew appeared at the San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. The huge cast for the upcoming movie X-Men: Days of Future Past appeared in Hall-H and was greeted with an overwhelmingly positive response from fans.

X-Men stars Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart at the Variety Club Showbiz Awards held at the Grosvenor House, London.

The next film will see the cast doubled (quite literally) as the mutant superheroes have to travel in time to change an event which will, if not prevented, destroy mankind. The cast appeared en masse: each taking a few moments to address the audience or in Ian McKellan's case to flirt with Michael Fassbender.

Continue reading: X-Men Steals The Show At San Diego Comic Con 2013

Filth, the latest movie to star James McAvoy, is an adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel of the same name and it has all the hallmarks of a classic Irvine Welsh movie adaptation, with its fast-paced, seedy cinematography and wry, snappy humour. The word filth takes on two meanings here. McAvoy plays the central character Bruce Robertson, who – by all accounts, is a pretty filthy kinda guy, he’s into some fairly unsavoury sexual practises and when his doctor asks if he’s been taking his medication, he’s only able to sort-of-honestly answer ‘yes’ because of all the illicit substances he’s been snorting. That’s not the only kind of ‘filth’ he is though – he’s also a police officer. A Detective Sergeant no less.

Robertson’s not one for abiding by the law, however and even when he’s on duty, he’s a pretty deceitful, dishonest kind of guy and will do anything to get one over on his colleagues, so that he can get a promotion. However, the combination of mind-altering drugs and the fact that he’s collapsing under a mountain of lies soon starts to take a toll on his sanity and wellbeing. Add to that the fact that he has a troubled marriage that he’s desperate to save and things aren’t looking great for him, all told.

This red-band trailer precedes the September release of the movie which also stars Jamie Bell, Imogen Poots, Joanne Froggett and Jim Broadbent. 

Continue reading: James McAvoy Needs To Clean Up His Act In Filth (Trailer)

James McAvoy has a busy year coming up with three new projects set to see the light of day. The actor, who has recently been receiving rave for reviews for his performances on stage in the Shakespeare play Macbeth, will be starring in Welcome To The Punch – a London cop thriller starring Mark Strong. Then he stars for Danny Boyle in the action thriller Trance, and then finally he appears in Filth, based on the Irvine Welsh novel.

McAvoy spoke to contactmusic.com about his upcoming role in Welcome To The Punch, and commented that he was drawn to the role because of “the fact that it seemed very determined not to be your usual geezer, gangster, "street", apples-and-pears London crime thriller.” Continuing, he added of the Eran Creevy-directed film “I've seen lots of them be great as well, but its willingness to not rely on gritty British realism is something that seemed refreshing. And although it is definitely taking strong points from the Hong Kong action genre movies and from Michael Mann, which Eran is totally open about, it felt quite fresh in terms of what Britain produces.”

Continue reading: James McAvoy Talks Welcome To The Punch In New Interview

James McAvoy in Macbeth is causing quite a stir. Both the critics and the stars in the audience have lavished praise over the Scottish actor who has applied his trade in Hollywood, in X Men and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. He is perhaps best known, though, for his roles in The Last King of Scotland and Atonement.

Stephen Merchant said he “loved it. I loved the bloodiness of it, the passion and the youthfulness of it, which was a nice take on the play.” Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville said of him, “James McAvoy is a brilliant actor, full stop,” while singer Beverley Knight had kind words for the plays writer. “Only Shakespeare himself could come up with the words to describe what I’ve just seen. I’m at a bit of a loss. It was so spellbinding, so intense, incredibly gripping. I thought I knew the play but now I’m seeing it with fresh eyes. It was absolutely unreal,” she said. The Director of the play, Jamie Lloyd, said of the play: “It's an apposite, urgent play for today, and that's why I don't want it to be set in period. I don't want the production to be a reflection of a time long past, I want it to resonate here and now."

Continue reading: James McAvoy Gets The Critics And Stars Excited With His Performance In Macbeth

James McAvoy can add future King of Scotland to his resumé when he takes to the West End stage early next year for a new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, run by director Jamie Lloyd.

The updated production will be held at the newly opened Traf Transformed theatre at Trafalgar Studio in Whitehall, beginning in February next year (13), running from February 9 until  April 27. The latest version has been re-written by Lloyd and is set in a dystopian separatist Scotland, which has been ravaged by war. Although little else has been revealed about the plot of the latest adaption, is is believed that the story will largely follow Shakespeare's original plot, with the setting and a few other details being changed for the new adaption.

After the show's run, McAvoy will be heading back to Hollywood to film the sequel for last years X Men: First Class, where he will reclaim his role as Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Don't worry if you want to see Macbeth after McAvoy calls it quits though, as the newly knighted Sir Kenneth Branagh will be teaming up with director Rob Ashford to bring their own interpretation of the Bard's most famous story at the Manchester International Festival in July.

Scottish star James McAvoy will play his nation's most famous royal when he takes to the stage to portray Macbeth next year in the latest adaption of Shakespeare's most famous play.

McAvoy will portray the tragic King on stage at Trafalgar Studios from February 9 to April 27, 2013 in the latest version of one The Bard's best known plays, which is being helmed by Jamie Lloyd. The new version will thrust the original forward a few hundred years, and is set in a dystopian future version of Scotland, where Macbeth takes on his power struggle with the help (or rather hindrance) of his maniac wife - with the actress portraying Lady Macbeth yet to be announced.

Speaking to reporters about the unveiling of his new star, Lloyd said: "I am thrilled to announce the first production for Trafalgar Transformed - a season of politically-charged power plays on the doorstep of Whitehall, accompanied by a festival of platform events, discussions and readings. We hope to welcome new and diverse audiences to the West End and I am very excited to engage with schools and other groups via a series of bespoke workshops and master classes."

Continue reading: James McAvoy To Play Macbeth In New West End Show

James McAvoy is returning to the stage for the first time since 2009, to play the lead role in The Scottish Play. We’re not sure if it’s bad luck to type the real name of the Shakespeare play, or just to say it out loud, so with some trepidation, we confirm, that is Macbeth. James McAvoy will play Macbeth, in Macbeth (hey, in for a penny, in for a pound).

The Atonement star will star in Jamie Lloyd’s production; part of a season of work at Whitehall’s Trafalgar Studios, entitled Trafalgar Transformed. The last time McAvoy was onstage was in the Olivier nominated Three Days of Rain, at the Apollo Theatre, in 2009. According to The Independent, Lloyd’s version of the Shakesperian classic will be set in a “dystopian Scotland brutalised by war” and will depict Macbeth’s “tormented struggle for power fuelled by ambition and paranoia under a toxic fog.” In a statement, Lloyd said “We hope to welcome new and diverse audiences to the West End and I am very excited to engage with schools and other groups via a series of bespoke workshops and masterclasses.”

Tickets for Monday performances with be priced at £15. Half of those tickets will be made available via an outreach scheme aimed at school pupils and first-time theatre goers. In addition to this, all daytime performances will be available for £10 per ticket, for Tuesday to Saturday.