James McAvoy reportedly punched at Toronto bar by drunk man

James McAvoy was punched at a bar in Toronto on Monday night (September 8), it’s been reported.

• READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: James McAvoy

The actor was in the city for the premiere of California Schemin’, his directorial debut, at the Toronto International Film Festival alongside his wife, Lisa Liberati.

He was at the bar Charlotte’s Room when he was hit by a drunk man just before midnight. He tried to de-escalate things while others removed the man. A source told People that he was having a “casual get-together” with the movie’s producers when the man was being escorted out. McAvoy had his back to him, and “the man just punched him.”

According to the source, the Atonement actor stayed at the bar following the incident and laughed it off with the staff and other patrons.

California Schemin’, which premiered at the festival on Saturday, is based on a true story and stars Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross as the Scottish hip-hop duo Silibil N’ Brains (Billy Boyd and Gavin Bain) who pretended to be Americans in a bid to become famous and even opened for Eminem.

James McAvoy makes a striking directorial debut with CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’, a heartfelt homage to Scotland and brotherhood. With standout performances, a killer soundtrack, and raw energy, it’s a must-watch, especially for fans of KNEECAP and John Carney. #TIFF50 pic.twitter.com/IkaiBjX24S

— Bryan Sudfield @ #TIFF50 (@BryanSudfield) September 6, 2025

McAvoy plays Neotone Records’ head Anthony Reid, while James Corden has a part as a music executive. Also appearing in the movie are Lucy Halliday and Rebekah Murrell.

Speaking to Variety ahead of the movie’s premiere, McAvoy likened Boyd and Bain to “folk heroes” like Robin Hood, saying: “Nobody cares that they got caught. Nobody cares that they never made it. We just love that they fucking went down there and played the system. When the system’s rigged against you, try to undermine it or circumvent it. Game the game!”

About making his directorial debut, he told People that it was “stressful” but “amazing”, explaining that he’s “loved telling stories as an actor” and that directing is simply “an extension of that.”

Meanwhile, McAvoy is set to appear in two more movies which are currently filming. He’ll star in the British thriller Turn Up The Sun! in an as-yet-unnamed role, and will play Dr. Conway in the American action movie Control.

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