James McAvoy Opens Up About His Directorial Debut and Playing Villains
September 16, 2026
At the 2025 Zurich Film Festival, James McAvoy discussed his directorial debut, "California Schemin'," revealing he learned he can "spin a lot of plates" while directing. McAvoy also plays a villain in the film, continuing a recent trend of darker roles. He joked that portraying scary characters comes easily, wondering if he has "latent anger issues." The film does not yet have a wide release date.
The Zurich Film Festival wraps up. A final film worth noting.
The 2025 Zurich Film Festival has come to an end, but one of the final films screened was the musical biopic California Schemin'.
James McAvoy's directorial debut. Stepping behind the camera.
The movie is the directorial debut of Scottish star James McAvoy, marking a new chapter in his career.
An exclusive Green Carpet interview. Reflecting on the experience.
In this exclusive interview from Zurich's Green Carpet, McAvoy reveals what he learned about himself by moving behind the camera.
Spinning a lot of plates. Handling problems while smiling.
James shared that he learned he can spin a lot of plates, handling multiple problems at once while still smiling through it all.
Also stepping into a villain role. Another dark character for McAvoy.
James also plays a villain in the film, the latest in a string of darker roles for him in recent years.
"It's just not who I am." A surprising contrast.
McAvoy admitted that playing scary characters isn't who he is at all, despite doing it convincingly.
Latent anger issues, maybe. A joke about his dark roles.
He joked that maybe he's got latent anger issues, given how easily he seems to portray villains on screen.
A career full of darker roles. A trend in recent years.
James has been playing a few scary characters over the last few years, adding to his growing list of intense performances.
No wide release date yet. More news to come.
California Schemin' does not yet have a wide release date, so fans should keep an eye out for more news soon.
A director, a villain, a star. McAvoy's evolving career.
Between directing his first film and playing a villain within it, James McAvoy continues to expand his creative range.