It was just unbelievable to watch him switch between personalities and make them look and sound honestly different. And not just "i'm pretending to be this or that...". It was believable, in a weird way. Just the idea of playing 24 different characters in one movie by one person is just mind blowing.
@Jigglypuff Inside I'm Dancing / Rory O'Shea Was Here is one of his most underrated movies and performances, he was so young and already so talented, he gives a stunning performance despite the fact that his character can only move one finger, he's completely paralyzed yet he acts with his eyes. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, both parts also very underrated, My Son too, that's a movie he did last year, James improvised all his dialogue, he was given no script, sadly the movie didn't have much promotion and his amazing improvised performance went largely unnoticed.
@Pierrot Pierrot true... I mean basically all of his roles are iconic Legend ✨ People don't like 'the last station' as much , but he's so brilliant in it. Also becoming jane, inside I'm dancing
@Jigglypuff yeah these movies mentioned - along with starter for 10, becoming jane, IT2, Penelope, Atomic Blonde. Personally Last King of Scotland really impacted me as a young adult because i was exactly like him at the time i first watched it - idealistic and recklessly thinking i could change the world.
I worked as a stand-in with James on a film about 10 years ago. Genuinely nice guy. None of the ego and stuff you might expect - in fact it was the much less well known actors in the film who behaved snooty and aloof toward the crew and extras, whilst James would grab people like us and put us in the front of the line at lunch/dinnertime because he knew we worked hard and shouldn't have to spend half our lunch-break standing in a queue. Or would offer you a ciggy if you had to chaperone him for a smoke-break. Or even invite you over to his table and buy you a drink if he seen that all the other departments had sat in their own little cliques. Nice guy.
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing! 😊 James has been my favourite actor for about 15 years now and I'm always glad to hear he is just a genuine, nice guy in real life ☺️
@The One Who Knocks It'd not invalid just cos you say so kid; it's a centuries-old observation made by thousands of people about a fundamental of human-nature - Liars always think other people are lying.
I love him in both Split and Glass. I didn't know much about McAvoy before seeing them, so when I saw it, I was thinking, "who is this guy?!?!?" He smashed it.
Man, I just want to thank GQ for these interviews. It's so much fun to watch these amazing actors reminisce, talk craft, respect peers, and just appreciate their artform. Good media!
@jj James was not nominated for Atonement, only Saoirse Ronan and I think it was also nominated for Best Picture, they should've definitely included it, it's one of his most iconic roles way more than Shameless! I suppose they included Shameless because that's what helped him get attention in the US.
I was introduced to James McAvoy in "Children of Dune." Don't know if he was known before then, but I remember thinking to myself that he was fantastic.
James McAvoy is hands down, one of my most favourite actors. I first saw him as Mr. Tumnus in Narnia as a kid, but later grew to appreciate the various roles he's played over the years. He always manages to inject human-ness into his roles, regardless the film genre. Great actor and I look forward to watching his films every time.
James Mcavoy has to be one of the best actors of our generation. Two parts to the interview and he still has more iconic roles such as Atonement and Last King of Scotland not mentioned. Also the man looks and sounds like a dream!
Yes, Mr. Tumnus! I think his portrayal was really great in this movie too. It's bittersweet in a way that Lucy went back through the wardrobe without saying goodbye. I was as mesmerized by the Flute scene, but you could tell he was a good character, though he was conflicted between helping his friend and having to serve the White Witch.
My high school English teacher rarely taught the class and always show the films she like. She must have a massive crush on James McAvoy though because she've shown us Penelope, then Atonement. Until THE library scene where she stopped showing that film entirely😂, I have to wait til years later to finished it. That one really messed me up. I think the girls in entire class became McAvoy fans after that.
Recommend re-watching *X-Men: Days of Future Past* - if you haven't seen it in a while. It's a truly superior comics movie, probably the best large cast X-Men film of the Fox era (with Logan taking the overall crown there, and the Deadpools as runner-up). Everyone is great in Days, and the writing/pacing is excellent. The effects also hold up.
Shame. I would have been interested in his thoughts on playing Leto Atreides II in Children of Dune. It was a thousand years ago, but it was the first time I saw McAvoy and I was really impressed.
James McAvoy has so many iconic roles in such interesting movies, making a GQ about his biggest but lamest roles is really disappointing. WHAT ABOUT FILTH? That’s a great movie
Well he already spoke about that movie in part 1, and maybe he himself wanted to talk about these movies because it's obvious they mean something to him.
The last king of Scotland - normally I avoid such movies - Just the idea that those sort of things are happening in the world turns my stomach - i just can't handle it. But the performances of the actors reeled me in - It was difficult, but he and forrest whitaker are just so amazing in it , I am happy I watched it, moving. Love him in many things- love his Xavier.
James has such a tremendous range. So glad he brings it in all his films, even the fun ones. One of the few actors I'll seek out just to watch his performances.
In his early action movies, directors and stunt coordinators were flabbergasted by James' ability to execute his own stunts. In Behind The Scenes content, several stunt coordinators said he could have easily been a professional Stunt Man in another life if he had applied himself to that. They said his instincts for vaulting objects or rolling out of high landings, especially, were top level. He could also adapt his body conditioning (weight, muscle mass) very quickly.
In the film I worked on he was supposed to jump out a 5th floor window, and we were all set-up to do it then the director for some reason changed his mind. But he was all set to jump through a fake window into a (very small looking) dumpster full of pillows on a crane 50ft above a cold hard street in Glasgow.
Basically every movie I've seen him in, I've liked. Wanted was awesome, but First Class really solidified it for me. Also, he helped come up with that gun motion too? No wonder, its pretty iconic at this point.
These don't mention Victor Frankenstein, but he was great in that. It was a great setup to a potential new series of Frankenstein movies akin to the old Hammer films. McAvoy would have been perfect for that. A real missed opportunity by Universal to never capitalize on that. And too bad the writer of that is a flaming pile of garbage.
This is great career synopsis, he is an outstanding jobbing actor too. I hope he gets that one role that catapults him to superstar status. He deserves it all.
Watch James McAvoy break down more of his iconic characters: kzclip.net/video/DuKpwolfNX8/бейне.html
Shameful there's no mention of Bruce Robertson!
@elsavirinas and LKOS
WHY DIDNT U PUT ATONEMENTTTT
really? split the parts to build both channels? bite me, downvote
Christian Bale body language analysis out NOW
The fact that he wasn't awarded an Oscar for Split is criminal! That was a masterclass in acting
@13strong someone needs a hug 🤣
@Max Mizu I agree it’s definitely a more positive representation, but still not a great one
It was just unbelievable to watch him switch between personalities and make them look and sound honestly different. And not just "i'm pretending to be this or that...". It was believable, in a weird way. Just the idea of playing 24 different characters in one movie by one person is just mind blowing.
or Atonement...
He was INCREDIBLE in filth. Such an underrated movie.
His performance in split deserved an Oscar.
Agreed
Without a doubt...
@FreeThugger It was very very harmful and many people now view systems as a scary and dangerous thing, which I can personally confirm is not true
@GCAT01 Living Agreed, I can respect his performance for his acting skill but that’s it.
@LifeIsZealous Yeah so true, it’s really a shame
You know you are in a legend tier when there is a part 2 about breakdown of your iconic characters
@Jigglypuff Inside I'm Dancing / Rory O'Shea Was Here is one of his most underrated movies and performances, he was so young and already so talented, he gives a stunning performance despite the fact that his character can only move one finger, he's completely paralyzed yet he acts with his eyes.
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, both parts also very underrated, My Son too, that's a movie he did last year, James improvised all his dialogue, he was given no script, sadly the movie didn't have much promotion and his amazing improvised performance went largely unnoticed.
@Pierrot Pierrot true...
I mean basically all of his roles are iconic
Legend ✨
People don't like 'the last station' as much , but he's so brilliant in it. Also becoming jane, inside I'm dancing
@Jigglypuff yeah these movies mentioned - along with starter for 10, becoming jane, IT2, Penelope, Atomic Blonde.
Personally Last King of Scotland really impacted me as a young adult because i was exactly like him at the time i first watched it - idealistic and recklessly thinking i could change the world.
And still missing some movies . I mean atonement, children of dune, victor frankenstein, last king of Scotland ❤️❤️ are iconic tier
I worked as a stand-in with James on a film about 10 years ago. Genuinely nice guy. None of the ego and stuff you might expect - in fact it was the much less well known actors in the film who behaved snooty and aloof toward the crew and extras, whilst James would grab people like us and put us in the front of the line at lunch/dinnertime because he knew we worked hard and shouldn't have to spend half our lunch-break standing in a queue. Or would offer you a ciggy if you had to chaperone him for a smoke-break. Or even invite you over to his table and buy you a drink if he seen that all the other departments had sat in their own little cliques. Nice guy.
@The One Who Knocks it’s true, I was the cigarette.
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing! 😊 James has been my favourite actor for about 15 years now and I'm always glad to hear he is just a genuine, nice guy in real life ☺️
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@The One Who Knocks It'd not invalid just cos you say so kid; it's a centuries-old observation made by thousands of people about a fundamental of human-nature - Liars always think other people are lying.
@Joe Mc Everyone lies. Point invalid.
It really sucks that he's isn't in more movies and TV shows, an amazing actor.
Such a great actor. We need more McAvoy movies.
Yes!
@YoongiSHanah LoVe Anne Hathaway 40
I agree
Absolutely 💯
Love him. Great actor, and seems very genuine.
I love him in both Split and Glass. I didn't know much about McAvoy before seeing them, so when I saw it, I was thinking, "who is this guy?!?!?" He smashed it.
Man, I just want to thank GQ for these interviews. It's so much fun to watch these amazing actors reminisce, talk craft, respect peers, and just appreciate their artform. Good media!
I enjoy these interviews myself too. Very nice to see them behind the spotlight, where they sharing their experience as an actor.
Part 1 and 2 were both really interesting, a pity they didn't ask him about the series State of Play. It's one of my fav TV shows!
We need a Part 3. Atonement is a must!
His performance in Atonement was really great.
One of the saddest movies ever 😢
@shobae Totally agree!
We need part 3
@jj James was not nominated for Atonement, only Saoirse Ronan and I think it was also nominated for Best Picture, they should've definitely included it, it's one of his most iconic roles way more than Shameless! I suppose they included Shameless because that's what helped him get attention in the US.
@Maverick Jones yeah aren't they like Oscar nominated roles, they have to include them
When Dr Who rebooted in 2005 I remember thinking that James McAvoy would have made a great Dr Who. He still would I think!? Great actor.
Underrated actor, he’s phenomenal.
Edit: I wish he talked about his performance as Victor Frankenstein. Stellar acting.
There better be a part 3 dedicated just to his performance as Leto II in Children of Dune…he was perfect
Filth is hands down one of his best performances, it's one of the funniest yet saddest movies I've ever seen
I say Split is the best because of all those characters he did.
His performance as Russell Crowe in this interview is pretty iconic
He looks just like Russel lol.
I was introduced to James McAvoy in "Children of Dune." Don't know if he was known before then, but I remember thinking to myself that he was fantastic.
James McAvoy is hands down, one of my most favourite actors. I first saw him as Mr. Tumnus in Narnia as a kid, but later grew to appreciate the various roles he's played over the years. He always manages to inject human-ness into his roles, regardless the film genre. Great actor and I look forward to watching his films every time.
Let’s also not forget his voice acting in Sandman
Y'know it's amazing how often actors grab roles they weren't supposed to be in, and end up nailing it. Oogway was right there are no accidents
First movie I saw him was The last king of Scotland.. I was very impressed by his performance, great movie too..
Split was a masterpiece, definitely should of gotten a Oscar.
James Mcavoy has to be one of the best actors of our generation. Two parts to the interview and he still has more iconic roles such as Atonement and Last King of Scotland not mentioned.
Also the man looks and sounds like a dream!
or State of Play
I concur.
Irony of this post is he did voice Dream for The Sandman audiobook lmao
YES
Right? Those were two of his most lauded performances...and they didn't even have time for them!
This silver fox look is REALLY working for him 🥵
Also…Anyone remember him as just a supporting character in The Chronicles of Narnia!!!?
He’s come so far and I LOVE IT!
@Si Fiyes! He was so sweet even then! I literally fell in love with him as an actor then!
Yes, Mr. Tumnus! I think his portrayal was really great in this movie too. It's bittersweet in a way that Lucy went back through the wardrobe without saying goodbye. I was as mesmerized by the Flute scene, but you could tell he was a good character, though he was conflicted between helping his friend and having to serve the White Witch.
Wanted(2008) was such an awesome action movie.
The older he gets, the more he's looking like Russell Crow
😂😂😂😂😂
Oh God, James is a great actor, i love him so much
My high school English teacher rarely taught the class and always show the films she like. She must have a massive crush on James McAvoy though because she've shown us Penelope, then Atonement. Until THE library scene where she stopped showing that film entirely😂, I have to wait til years later to finished it. That one really messed me up. I think the girls in entire class became McAvoy fans after that.
Bruh thats acc not fair but like Becoming Jane is deffo the most English class worthy one
Recommend re-watching
*X-Men: Days of Future Past*
- if you haven't seen it in a while.
It's a truly superior comics movie, probably the best large cast X-Men film of the Fox era (with Logan taking the overall crown there, and the Deadpools as runner-up).
Everyone is great in Days, and the writing/pacing is excellent. The effects also hold up.
I think his role in Filth is also pretty iconic
He's suspiciously cute in drag.
Same rules apply
glad to know it was acknowledged first 😊
Other video on British GQ channel
The Last King of Scotland was a great movie that isn't mentioned enough, Forrest Whitiker was amazing but James and Kerry Washington were also great
“But I’m Scottish!”
The fact that Atonement was not a part of this is a tragedy.
Idk why they only had him talk about 3 characters, he’s played in so many good films
I'm sad he didn't talk about Penelope, that's one of my favorite movies he's in
Wanted was such a fun movie! Great soundtrack too.
It physically pains me how phenomenal his first two X-Men films were, especially Days of Future Past to then go to how atrocious his last two were.
James is phenomenal in Filth and Last king of Scotland is a top film also
Is it possible for him to actually look way better now then younger? 😍😍😍😍🤤🤤🤤🤤. He was great in the Split movies and as Professor X.
His Xavier in Days of Future Past was absolutely phenomenal......world class performance......should've gotten a nomination
That role seemed particularly challenging. I love that movie
Been a fan of him since first class.
Me too.
Same. He was good in that movie
Wish he won an Oscar for Split 😢
One of my favorite actors of all time!
2:06 Just a normal photo, not even some vogue set up shot and Angelina Jolie looks flawlessly beautiful
ive seen every james mcavoy film so i am literally an expert at this subject i cannot wait to watch my hands are actually shaking
Shame. I would have been interested in his thoughts on playing Leto Atreides II in Children of Dune. It was a thousand years ago, but it was the first time I saw McAvoy and I was really impressed.
Watching James talk about how much thought he put into professor X shows you how far the level of film making has fallen these last few years…
Wow, this video is like a masterclass of his acting decisions and methods
Wanted is one of my favorite action movies and i'm amazed that it's rarely/almost never mentioned when talking about great action movies.
James McAvoy has so many iconic roles in such interesting movies, making a GQ about his biggest but lamest roles is really disappointing. WHAT ABOUT FILTH? That’s a great movie
Well he already spoke about that movie in part 1, and maybe he himself wanted to talk about these movies because it's obvious they mean something to him.
The last king of Scotland - normally I avoid such movies - Just the idea that those sort of things are happening in the world turns my stomach - i just can't handle it. But the performances of the actors reeled me in - It was difficult, but he and forrest whitaker are just so amazing in it , I am happy I watched it, moving. Love him in many things- love his Xavier.
What a legend 👏
He's such a casual acting actor that it's almost like he doesn't care but he does if that makes sense
This was great! So cool to know he was at Vapiano to read his X-Men script. Wish he talked about Starter for 10.
Days of future past might be one of the most underrated movies of all time
I wish they would have done a little bit on his role in The last King of Scotland
I've seen so many of his movies and I love him as an actor and still had no idea he had such a thick accent
His performance in Split will be shown in acting schools around the world. He was incredible.
I was expecting the last king of Scotland to be here, that was the first time I saw James McAvoy that movie is awesome!
He’s just brilliant!
James has such a tremendous range. So glad he brings it in all his films, even the fun ones. One of the few actors I'll seek out just to watch his performances.
last king of scotland , atonement,Narnia,filth? those are actually iconic
Filth and Narnia are in the first part
They ran out of time I guess he has so many iconic roles.
Really hope I get to see him just 1 more time as Professor X
Now we just need to hear him talk about his time hosting SNL
such a underrated actor
You know you’re a legend when people literally fight over what your best role is under a video of your most iconic roles
This dude is TOP TIER to me
Same.
I feel like he was a young kid in Wanted like five seconds ago. This guy looks ancient now.
In his early action movies, directors and stunt coordinators were flabbergasted by James' ability to execute his own stunts. In Behind The Scenes content, several stunt coordinators said he could have easily been a professional Stunt Man in another life if he had applied himself to that.
They said his instincts for vaulting objects or rolling out of high landings, especially, were top level.
He could also adapt his body conditioning (weight, muscle mass) very quickly.
In the film I worked on he was supposed to jump out a 5th floor window, and we were all set-up to do it then the director for some reason changed his mind. But he was all set to jump through a fake window into a (very small looking) dumpster full of pillows on a crane 50ft above a cold hard street in Glasgow.
For a reboot of X-Men Macavoy & Fasbender need to come back they are young enough to play the characters again for a long time.
He's gonna be in a movie with Benedict Cumberbatch,Laketh Stanfield,Omar Sy,Caleb mclaughlin.... Can't wait!!!
Basically every movie I've seen him in, I've liked. Wanted was awesome, but First Class really solidified it for me.
Also, he helped come up with that gun motion too? No wonder, its pretty iconic at this point.
What gun motion?
Days of Future Past is a masterpiece and McAvoy and Fassbender deserved Oscar nominations.
No they didn't.
Yes!
It's still the best X-MEN movie
Seeing him in Atonement changed me chemically
So hot!!!! And such an underrated actor. His acting in Split is sensational
Him in xmen was the goat
He is awesome I hope marvel brings him back for more X-men movies
He was fantastic as Young Charle Xavier.
I really loved Split
Shame you didn't touch on The Last King of Scotland. That was a great film.
His accent does things to me
I first saw McAvoy in the SciFi Dune series and thinking, this kid is going places.
He'd be a great Conor McCleod if they did a new Highlander series.
I'm kinda dig this "Dr.Strange On Vacation" look he has going on lol
How are you not even gonna mention his role in one of the best mini series of all time...Band of Brothers!?
Man! I was really hoping he would talk about 'The Last King of Scotland'.
I always thought McAvoy was Australian, but I never would've guessed he was Irish.
These don't mention Victor Frankenstein, but he was great in that. It was a great setup to a potential new series of Frankenstein movies akin to the old Hammer films. McAvoy would have been perfect for that. A real missed opportunity by Universal to never capitalize on that.
And too bad the writer of that is a flaming pile of garbage.
The next movie he’s on is “Atomic blonde” where he wears a cast due to his broken hand
Never knew he had an accent. I was shook.
The Most underrated actor of all time.
l miss James Mcavoy and Michael Fassbender bromance ❤️
In Split he was like R.D. Jr. in Tropic Thunder. A dude playing a dude, disguised as another dude.
That Hedwig dubstep scene is one of the funniest yet kind of unnerving scenes in Split, that alone deserved an Oscar
I don't know about Oscar, but the hamster wheel was the cherry on top of a brilliant scene for sure.
I love this man in every movie I seen him in ugh!
Love this guy ❤
Wanted was so elite still holds up
This is great career synopsis, he is an outstanding jobbing actor too. I hope he gets that one role that catapults him to superstar status. He deserves it all.
I love how Gerard Butler talks about James McAvoy's career. So knowledgeable!
I’ve been waiting for this one!! 😊