James McAvoy's directorial debut is the film 'California Schemin', according to multiple reports. The film is based on the true story of two friends from Dundee who posed as Los Angeles rappers and conned a major London record label into signing them. The real-life individuals the film is based on are Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who formed the hip-hop duo Silibil N' Brains.
The film's premiere was at the Glasgow Film Festival, where it took the closing slot, according to major media reports. The film stars Séamus McLean Ross as Gavin and Samuel Bottomley as Billy, multiple reports indicate. James Corden appears in the film as a label executive, according to major media.
I wanted to make a film 'for people from the kind of council estate I grew up on'.
The film's release date is April 10, major media reports. James McAvoy described making his directorial debut as a nightmare he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy, according to major media. According to The Guardian - Main UK, James McAvoy described wanting to make a film for people from the kind of council estate he grew up on.
He finds directing and acting simultaneously challenging, citing distractions like logistical issues, major media reports. James McAvoy gets nervous around famous people and sometimes puts on a working class voice, according to major media. James McAvoy welcomed his second son four years ago with his wife Lisa Liberati, according to major media.
It's that thing that stops you being regarded as a person and makes you something smaller.
The film includes references to the early 2000s, such as landlines and broadband, according to major media. The real Silibil N' Brains were featured in a 2013 documentary called 'The Great Hip Hop Hoax', major media reports. The specific critical or audience reception 'California Schemin' received at its premiere has not been confirmed.
How much artistic license was taken in the film compared to the true story remains unclear. Box office projections or distribution plans for 'California Schemin' beyond its release date have not been announced. What other projects James McAvoy is currently working on as an actor or director is unknown.
With my accent, I've had that experience where I'm suddenly no longer a person with infinite possibilities and potential – I am 'that Scottish person'. I'm reduced to a noise that comes out of my mouth.
How the real Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd reacted to the film's portrayal of their story has not been disclosed.
I'm a white northern European male, so I'm aware that me going on about bias and prejudice is potentially quite treacherous territory, because there are people who've suffered much worse. Also, I'm quite successful, so what have I got to complain about?
I knew I wanted to make films about people from low-income backgrounds, council estates or schemes as we call them in Scotland.
I wouldn’t wish directing and acting on my worst enemy… it was a nightmare.
You'd literally be sitting there trying to go 'I need more love' or 'I need more comedy' and somebody is whispering in your ear 'We can't get the Portaloos for tomorrow'.
I was like that with your husband [Tom Hanks] ... I have worked with him twice now when I was much younger. I don't know why but I do this thing sometimes when I get around famous people... and I go into this weird sort of put on working class [voice]... and I don't know why that happens!
Having a kid at 42 is definitely easier in some ways I worry less. I'm a bit more philosophical. But it's also harder, because you're just older and tireder.
That’s the time that you work your socks off, burn the midnight oil, run the extra mile – and usually when you’re doing that, you’re in your 20s.