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In this episode, Dax Shepard and Monica Padman sit down with award-winning actor and director James McAvoy to discuss his expansive career, his directorial debut California Scheming, and the unconventional path that led him to acting. McAvoy reflects on growing up in Glasgow during the 1980s, considering paths like the priesthood and the Royal Navy before stumbling into film, and how a healthy sense of detachment and self-awareness shaped his resilience. Throughout the conversation, the guest and hosts unpack the realities of the entertainment business, the sacrifices artists make, and the parallels between his own upbringing and the true story behind his new directorial project.
The discussion offers a candid look at the high-stakes world of Hollywood casting, where McAvoy reveals stories from the sets of Wanted, The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, and the X-Men franchise. He and Shepard swap reflections on early career anxieties, imposter syndrome, and the transition from being a hungry newcomer to navigating the responsibilities of established success. Listeners will find a thoughtful, deeply grounded conversation filled with behind-the-scenes filmmaking insights and personal reflections on fatherhood, ambition, and creative integrity.
Hosts discuss Quince’s cashmere sweaters and home goods, highlighting the brand’s value and lifestyle appeal.
Dax introduces McAvoy, setting the stage for a deep dive into his career and personal history.
McAvoy recounts how he first caught the attention of directors and the pivotal moment watching his own film.
McAvoy reflects on growing up in Drumchapel, family dynamics, and the impact of his upbringing on his worldview.
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Hosts explain how Superhuman streamlines email and productivity, positioning it as a workflow partner.
Discussion of Instagram’s teen account safeguards and how they protect younger users online.
Hosts introduce James McAvoy and discuss his early work, including short films and a music video, setting the stage for his career trajectory.
Discussion of McAvoy’s experience securing the lead role in Last King of Scotland, including the audition process and the film’s low budget constraints.
McAvoy reflects on his role in Atonement, the casting decisions, and how his physical appearance differed from the character’s description.
McAvoy discusses the challenges of preparing his body for the roles in Split and Glass, including training and health setbacks.
McAvoy explains why he turned to directing, how he balances acting with fitness, and the importance of maintaining his physique.
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Helix advertises its mattresses, highlighting features and discounts for listeners.
McAvoy shares insights into working on the X‑Men franchise, his relationships with co‑stars, and the evolution of the series.
A Surprising Dermatological Machinestory
Dax Shepard admits to buying a medical device to zap off his own skin tags and hyperpigmentation, leaving the guest and Monica shocked by his DIY dermatology.
A Teenage Zit-Popping Disasterstory
James McAvoy shares a hilarious childhood anecdote about attacking the blackheads on his nose with no experience, resulting in a face that looked like he was attacked by a Rottweiler.
Dax Shepard recounts losing the lead role in Wanted to James McAvoy, only to watch McAvoy's breakthrough performance in The Last King of Scotland and realize he couldn't have hired ten of himself to do it better.
The Pornography of Povertyinsight
James McAvoy critiques films about the socioeconomic lower class that wallow in deprivation and suffering, explaining why he wanted to make an aspirational and entertaining movie instead.
Stumbling Into First Acting Rolestory
James McAvoy explains how he never wanted to be an actor until a famous Scottish actor visited his school and McAvoy asked to make tea on set, leading directly to his first film audition at age sixteen.
Working With Jennifer Lawrenceinsight
James McAvoy describes the intense charisma and unmatched comedic wit of Jennifer Lawrence when she joined the X-Men cast as an eighteen-year-old Oscar nominee.
Near Fatal Hospitalizationdata
James McAvoy reveals he spent weeks in the hospital with a collapsed lung and a botched biopsy that nearly killed him right before bulking up to play the beast in Glass.
Getting Sucker Punched in Torontostory
James McAvoy details a bizarre incident at the Toronto Film Festival where a drunk stranger randomly punched him in the back of the head outside a bar.
“I had a sense of the world outside and I wanted to meet it.”
“I think that sometimes the message to our children is so much, maybe it isn't so much these days. I think it is though, you know, you can do anything.”
“I was like the most senior member of the cast, really, in terms of movie experience and age.”
“I was lucky enough to be able to love it.”
“The whole idea of stay true to where you come from, don't forget where you came from.”
“I was looking for the fight because it made you feel like you were solid and you were on solid ground.”
“Exactly, so we had to rebuild everything from the ground up to sound exactly the same, but have no samples in.”
“The minute they put their hands on me, I was like, I need to get on a plane, I need to get back to my wife and kids.”
“I think so, I think so. I mean, I think it was a really complex time for.”
“I think Pan was on two. I think he was bipedal.”
James McAvoy (California Schemin’, Atonement, X-Men) is an award-winning actor and director. James joins the Armchair Expert to discuss running wild in Glasgow’s council estates, considering the priesthood to see the world, and landing his first film role after offering to make tea. James and Dax talk about the Wanted role Dax almost got, feeling out of his league opposite Keira Knightley, and making a film about Scottish rappers who fooled the industry by pretending to be American. James explains how childhood hardship sharpened his empathy, why kids need room to be bored, and why helping people doesn’t always mean fixing their problems. Start your 2 month free trial today: https://youtube.com/premium . Terms Apply. Cancel Anytime. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: https://www.allstate.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
28,031 words · 6 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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