Random Things You Didn't Know About James McAvoy (14 items)

(#12) He Studied Cases Of Dissociative Identity Disorder For His Role In 'Split'

McAvoy did his best to familiarize himself with dissociative identity disorder for his role in Split. He even visited doctors to understand how the condition affects people. On the Today show, McAvoy said:

I spent a bit of time with some medical professionals - that was handy to an extent. What I really needed was to spend time with people with the ID (Identity Disorder), [but] I couldn’t find anybody that would sit and talk with me, unfortunately...

What I did find really useful was diaries, really just for the day-to-day ins and outs of what it's like to live with ID, and then vloggers (video bloggers), people who vlog. I found that YouTube was an incredible tool for people with the ID and a platform for them to project themselves positively into the world.
(#9) He Once Asked A Costar To Deck Him In The Face

McAvoy's punch request was for a role, but the original rumors regarding the incident were quite dramatic, according to the Riverfront Times. British tabloids reported that he was hit in the face in a misguided attempt at method acting. The incident took place while McAvoy was filming Filth, a 2013 dark comedy about a wayward cop trying to win back his family.

During production, McAvoy encouraged an actress to deck him. He commented that her hit was "rather good" - especially considering he had "been in fights [and] been knocked out before."
(#2) He Briefly Considered Joining The Priesthood

Raised Roman Catholic, McAvoy attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Glasgow. He thought about becoming a priest and missionary. McAvoy told The Guardian he wanted to help people around the world and thought his faith might provide a path to accomplish that goal. Once he realized the complexities of this option, he took a different direction.

In an interview with The Telegraph, McAvoy shared, "I wanted to be a missionary, but it was only because I wanted a free ticket to go and explore the world. I realized I was using God and religion to get my kicks, so I knocked that on the head. I suppose I'm still spiritual but not in a Catholic way anymore."
(#3) He Worked In A Bakery As A Trainee Confectioner

As a teenager, McAvoy worked as a trainee confectioner at Sainsbury's Bakery. After enrolling in drama school, he continued early morning shifts at the bakery to pay his tuition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama).
(#10) He's Suffered Multiple On-Set Injuries

McAvoy was pretty banged up at the close of filming for Wanted. The physical demands of production proved to be a bit much for the actor. He did 60% of his stunts; as a result, he racked up a "twisted ankle, injured knee, a lot of bruising." He even managed to develop an ear infection, he told IGN.

During Split's production, McAvoy broke his hand. Frustrated with his performance, he hit what he thought was a fake door; it was actually real and metal. Director M. Night Shyamalan told Ain't It Cool News viewers can see McAvoy's hurt hand during the train scene in the movie.
(#8) His Affinity For Video Games Nearly Ruined One of His Movie Roles

McAvoy was cast as Tom Lefroy in the romantic drama Becoming Jane. While filming in Ireland, his partner gifted him an Xbox. The new toy proved to be too much of a distraction during production. He recalled on The Graham Norton Show, "I stayed up three nights in a row playing Oblivion. I was working 16-hour days and then staying up all night playing the game."

His late-night gaming schedule soon impacted his performance, and McAvoy even forgot lines during filming. He eventually "ejected the game and burnt the CD on the cooker."