Hollywood actor James McAvoy was recently attacked by a stranger in Toronto, where he was attending the ongoing 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. He was in town to attend the premiere of his directorial debut, California Schemin, on Monday, September 8. According to reports, the man was in a heavily intoxicated state when he attacked the actor.
James McAvoy was punched by a man at bar
The 46-year-old actor and his wife, Lisa Liberati, attended the world premiere of California Schemin` at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 6. The incident unfolded on Monday when the actor was quiet night with producers
A source close to James McAvoy informed Entertainment Weekly that the actor had gone to the Charlotte’s Room bar, which was situated just two blocks from TIFF headquarters. He was enjoying a quiet evening with the producers of his film when McAvoy was hit by a man at about 11:55 PM. The attack caught him off guard, and the X-Men star tried to de-escalate the situation as others intervened to remove the man.
A source close to McAvoy tells PEOPLE, “James was having a casual get-together with the producers of his movie and, as he later learned when speaking with the staff, there was a man who drank too much who was getting escorted out. James`s back was to him, and the man just punched him.” The source added that McAvoy stayed at the bar and even laughed off the incident with other patrons and the staff.
After the incident, the staff members quickly rushed to catch the man, who was later escorted out of the bar.
About James McAvoy
Actor James McAvoy recently turned director to make a film, California Schemin. His first directorial venture premiered at the TIFF recently. Interestingly, California Schemin` is also considered for the following year’s Best Picture race at the Oscars. Meanwhile, it is currently competing for the coveted TIFF People’s Choice Award.
Notably, James has previously produced the 2013 Jon S Baird film, Filth, in which he also played a key role. His acting resume has a variety of diverse roles, including young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series and his critically acclaimed performance in Split, where he played a character with multiple personalities
