James McAvoy

James McAvoy (born 21 April 1979) is a Scottish actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in The Near Room (1995) and appeared mostly on television until 2003, when his feature film career began. His notable television work includes the thriller State of Play, science fiction miniseries Frank Herbert's Children of Dune and the channel 4s BAFTA award-winning series Shameless (British TV series) He has performed in several West End productions and has received four nominations for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, and has also done voice work for animated films including Gnomeo & Juliet, its sequel Sherlock Gnomes, and Arthur Christmas. In 2003, McAvoy appeared in a lead role in Bollywood Queen, then in another lead role as Rory in Inside I'm Dancing in 2004. This was followed by a supporting role, as the faun Mr. Tumnus, in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). His performance in Kevin Macdonald's drama The Last King of Scotland (2006) garnered him several award nominations, including the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. The critically acclaimed romantic drama war film Atonement (2007) earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination and his second BAFTA nomination. He later appeared as a newly trained assassin in the action thriller Wanted (2008). In 2011, McAvoy portrayed Professor Charles Xavier in the superhero film X-Men: First Class, a role he reprised in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), ...

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Trance (2013)

SuspensefulViolentDisturbingThought provoking

A violent gang enlists the help of a hypnotherapist in an attempt to locate a painting which somehow vanished in the middle of a heist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Boyle
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Vincent Cassel  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Matt Cross

A violent gang enlists the help of a hypnotherapist in an attempt to locate a painting which somehow vanished in the middle of a heist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Boyle
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Vincent Cassel  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Matt Cross

Atonement (2007)

EmotionalDramaticRomanticHeartbreaking

As a 13-year-old, fledgling writer Briony Tallis irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Wright
CAST:  Keira Knightley  •  James McAvoy  •  Romola Garai  •  Saoirse Ronan

As a 13-year-old, fledgling writer Briony Tallis irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Wright
CAST:  Keira Knightley  •  James McAvoy  •  Romola Garai  •  Saoirse Ronan

Bright Young Things (2003)

In the 1930s, a social set known to the press – who follow their every move – as the “Bright Young Things” are Adam and his friends who are eccentric, wild and entirely shocking to the older generation. Amidst the madness, Adam, who is well connected but totally ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Fry
CAST:  Stephen Campbell Moore  •  Emily Mortimer  •  Fenella Woolgar  •  Michael Sheen

In the 1930s, a social set known to the press – who follow their every move – as the “Bright Young Things” are Adam and his friends who are eccentric, wild and entirely shocking to the older generation. Amidst the madness, Adam, who is well connected but totally ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Fry
CAST:  Stephen Campbell Moore  •  Emily Mortimer  •  Fenella Woolgar  •  Michael Sheen

Inside I'm Dancing (2004)

Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Damien O'Donnell
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Steven Robertson  •  Romola Garai  •  Alan King

Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Damien O'Donnell
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Steven Robertson  •  Romola Garai  •  Alan King

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

FantasticalAdventurousCharmingEnjoyable

Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Adamson
CAST:  Georgie Henley  •  Skandar Keynes  •  William Moseley  •  Anna Popplewell

Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Adamson
CAST:  Georgie Henley  •  Skandar Keynes  •  William Moseley  •  Anna Popplewell

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

BrainyDramaticAdventurous

Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Macdonald
CAST:  Forest Whitaker  •  James McAvoy  •  Simon McBurney  •  Gillian Anderson

Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Macdonald
CAST:  Forest Whitaker  •  James McAvoy  •  Simon McBurney  •  Gillian Anderson

Wimbledon (2004)

RomanticCharmingClever

British tennis player Peter clutches to an embarrassingly low position on the tennis-ranking ladder. Handed a wild card for Wimbledon, he expects it to be his final bow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Loncraine
CAST:  Kirsten Dunst  •  Paul Bettany  •  Sam Neill  •  James McAvoy

British tennis player Peter clutches to an embarrassingly low position on the tennis-ranking ladder. Handed a wild card for Wimbledon, he expects it to be his final bow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Loncraine
CAST:  Kirsten Dunst  •  Paul Bettany  •  Sam Neill  •  James McAvoy

Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kelly Asbury
CAST:  Jason Statham  •  Emily Blunt  •  James McAvoy  •  Michael Caine

A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kelly Asbury
CAST:  Jason Statham  •  Emily Blunt  •  James McAvoy  •  Michael Caine

Becoming Jane (2007)

RomanticDramaticScary

A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julian Jarrold
CAST:  Anne Hathaway  •  James McAvoy  •  Julie Walters  •  James Cromwell

A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julian Jarrold
CAST:  Anne Hathaway  •  James McAvoy  •  Julie Walters  •  James Cromwell

Starter for 10 (2006)

In 1985, against the backdrop of Thatcherism, Brian Jackson enrolls in the University of Bristol, a scholarship boy from seaside Essex with a love of knowledge for its own sake and a childhood spent watching University Challenge, a college quiz show. At Bristol he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Vaughan
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Alice Eve  •  Dominic Cooper  •  Simon Woods

In 1985, against the backdrop of Thatcherism, Brian Jackson enrolls in the University of Bristol, a scholarship boy from seaside Essex with a love of knowledge for its own sake and a childhood spent watching University Challenge, a college quiz show. At Bristol he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Vaughan
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Alice Eve  •  Dominic Cooper  •  Simon Woods

Penelope (2006)

CuteWhimsicalRomanticCharming

Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soul mate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents to keep her company. This untraditional ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Palansky
CAST:  Christina Ricci  •  James McAvoy  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Peter Dinklage

Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soul mate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents to keep her company. This untraditional ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Palansky
CAST:  Christina Ricci  •  James McAvoy  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Peter Dinklage

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2014)

Told from the male perspective, the story of a couple trying to reclaim the life and love they once knew and pick up the pieces of a past that may be too far gone.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ned Benson
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Jessica Chastain  •  Bill Hader  •  Viola Davis

Told from the male perspective, the story of a couple trying to reclaim the life and love they once knew and pick up the pieces of a past that may be too far gone.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ned Benson
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Jessica Chastain  •  Bill Hader  •  Viola Davis

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Action-packedEnjoyableFast pacedAdventurous

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Patrick Stewart  •  James McAvoy  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Ian McKellen

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Patrick Stewart  •  James McAvoy  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Ian McKellen

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

After the re-emergence of the world's first mutant, world-destroyer Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Jennifer Lawrence  •  Michael Fassbender  •  James McAvoy  •  Oscar Isaac

After the re-emergence of the world's first mutant, world-destroyer Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Jennifer Lawrence  •  Michael Fassbender  •  James McAvoy  •  Oscar Isaac

The Conspirator (2011)

SmartBrainyInspiring

Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Redford
CAST:  Evan Rachel Wood  •  James McAvoy  •  Kevin Kline  •  Robin Wright

Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Redford
CAST:  Evan Rachel Wood  •  James McAvoy  •  Kevin Kline  •  Robin Wright

Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Eccentric scientist Victor Von Frankenstein creates a grotesque creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul McGuigan
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  James McAvoy  •  Jessica Brown Findlay  •  Andrew Scott

Eccentric scientist Victor Von Frankenstein creates a grotesque creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul McGuigan
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  James McAvoy  •  Jessica Brown Findlay  •  Andrew Scott

Filth (2013)

DarkFunDepressingCrude

A bigoted junkie cop suffering from bipolar disorder and drug addiction manipulates and hallucinates his way through the festive season in a bid to secure promotion and win back his wife and daughter.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon S. Baird
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Imogen Poots  •  Jamie Bell  •  Joanne Froggatt

A bigoted junkie cop suffering from bipolar disorder and drug addiction manipulates and hallucinates his way through the festive season in a bid to secure promotion and win back his wife and daughter.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon S. Baird
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Imogen Poots  •  Jamie Bell  •  Joanne Froggatt

Welcome to the Punch (2013)

When notorious criminal Jacob Sternwood is forced to return to London, it gives detective Max Lewinsky one last chance to take down the man he's always been after.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eran Creevy
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Mark Strong  •  David Morrissey  •  Peter Mullan

When notorious criminal Jacob Sternwood is forced to return to London, it gives detective Max Lewinsky one last chance to take down the man he's always been after.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eran Creevy
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Mark Strong  •  David Morrissey  •  Peter Mullan

The Near Room (1997)

Charlie Colquhoun is a burnt out journalist. His old school friend Harris Hill is a lawyer at the top of his game. Their lives are smashed together by one name - Tommy Stirling, Charlie's daughter, a fostered teenage pregnancy who has become embroiled in an alleged ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Hayman
CAST:  Adrian Dunbar  •  David O'Hara  •  David Hayman  •  Julie Graham

Charlie Colquhoun is a burnt out journalist. His old school friend Harris Hill is a lawyer at the top of his game. Their lives are smashed together by one name - Tommy Stirling, Charlie's daughter, a fostered teenage pregnancy who has become embroiled in an alleged ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Hayman
CAST:  Adrian Dunbar  •  David O'Hara  •  David Hayman  •  Julie Graham

X-Men: First Class (2011)

FunEnjoyableFuturisticAction-packed

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Matthew Vaughn
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Rose Byrne  •  January Jones

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Matthew Vaughn
CAST:  James McAvoy  •  Michael Fassbender  •  Rose Byrne  •  January Jones
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