On 23 February 2026, James McAvoy revealed that his responsibilities have greatly increased with his James McAvoy directing debut, the movie California Schemin’. The film, which focuses on the Scottish faux-American rap duo Silibil N’ Brains, marks McAvoy’s first time behind the camera, prompting him to manage multiple roles simultaneously.
Balancing Acting and Directing Demands
Now 46 years old, McAvoy is navigating the complexities of directing alongside his ongoing acting career. He shared that he has been involved with California Schemin’ for nearly four years and has been in production since August 2024, a commitment that continues up to its upcoming April release. This project has doubled his workload, as he not only performs as an actor but also takes on directing and development duties.
Reflecting on this, McAvoy told Empire magazine,
“It’s nuts, actually. I’ve been working on the film for almost four years now and (been) in production on it since August 2024. And I’m still working on it (up until release).”
He added,
“I said to my wife the other day, ‘Do you think there’ll be a day when I’m not working on this thing?’ She was like, ‘No, but you’re enjoying it still.’”
James McAvoy, Actor and Director
McAvoy also described how directing has increased the scope of his unpaid tasks, as he separates his attention between reading scripts as an actor and as a director, while developing projects for others.
“It’s great. It’s very creative. But I’m also like, ‘When’s the bit where I get to sit in my pants at 3pm and watch a film again?’”
James McAvoy, Actor and Director
The Personal Connection to California Schemin’
The subject matter of McAvoy’s directing debut holds special meaning for him, as it explores themes and characters rooted in a background similar to his own. The story’s setting reflects the challenges of people who face limited opportunities, modest prospects, and a sense of understated resilience.
He explained,
“I wanted to tell a story about people from a background like mine, that I recognised and understood. People with limited opportunities, near horizons and a kind of in-built humility.”
McAvoy emphasized his intention for the film to be engaging and emotionally impactful while confronting the real struggles faced by individuals from low-income backgrounds.
“But I also wanted to (make) a film that was entertaining, still had emotional impact and still confronted the obstacles and the realities that people from that kind of low-income background face.”
James McAvoy, Actor and Director
In addition to directing, McAvoy appears as an actor in California Schemin’. The film also addresses a uniquely Scottish experience related to how their accent and speech are often received by outsiders.
He said,
“Also, it’s a film (in which) you have two people who have to confront this thing that Scottish people do quite a lot, which is the reaction we get – from people who are not from Scotland – when the noise that comes out of our mouth lands in the other person’s ears.”
While McAvoy acknowledged that his own experience as a white, Northern European male means he’s not subjected to some forms of discrimination, he recognizes the specific challenges Scottish people can encounter.
“Like, my accent is so f****** mellow now. I do not sound how I sounded when I lived on a council estate in Glasgow. And I still get people that go like, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Would you slow down?’”
James McAvoy, Actor and Director
Embracing the Pressures of Directing
Despite describing the directing process as highly stressful, McAvoy embraced the demands of his new role. He mentioned that taking on this challenge coincided with a period of personal reflection that some might call a midlife crisis.
“It was incredibly stressful. The most stressful experience of my life, and I did it at my midlife-crisis time of life as well. Am I directing a film because I’m having a midlife crisis? Maybe. But I love doing it.”
James McAvoy, Actor and Director
As McAvoy continues to juggle acting and directing, the release of California Schemin’ will serve as a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his growth as a filmmaker and deepening the stories told about Scottish identity and struggles.
