Actor James McAvoy, attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for the premiere of his directorial debut, 'California Schemin', was reportedly the victim of an unprovoked assault. The incident occurred at Charlotte's Room, a Toronto bar, shortly before midnight on Monday. According to sources close to McAvoy, a heavily intoxicated patron, who was being escorted from the premises, struck the actor from behind.
McAvoy, known for his roles in films like 'Split', reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation before security intervened and removed the aggressor. The source described McAvoy as unharmed and unfazed by the incident, choosing to remain at the bar and downplay the altercation. 'He just laughed it off,' the source stated.
'California Schemin',' a film inspired by the true story of Scottish rappers Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, made its TIFF debut amidst this unexpected controversy. The film chronicles the duo's audacious attempt to conquer the London music scene despite facing initial rejection due to their Scottish accents, ultimately rebranding themselves as American West Coast rappers. Prior to the premiere, McAvoy spoke with Variety, expressing his admiration for Bain and Boyd's resilience and comparing them to folk heroes like Robin Hood, praising their unconventional approach to overcoming systemic obstacles. The unexpected assault casts a shadow over the film's premiere, though it appears to have had little impact on McAvoy's spirits.
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Originally published at: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/james-mcavoy-allegedly-attacked-california-schemin-tiff-1236513776/
