James McAvoy: 20 Things You Need to Know About the First Class Star
 By Melissa Leaman (Age 27, USA)



He’s played a superhero, a faun, a hit man and numerous romantic leads. At 32, however, James McAvoy is just getting started. As an award winning and nominated actor (He won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and has been nominated for BAFTAs and Golden Globes), McAvoy has been a fixture in Hollywood for years. His roles have kept him busy, yet just under the radar of many of the public. That all changed when he took on the role of a young Professor Charles Xavier in the latest X-Men installment, “X-Men: First Class.” Quote on why he took the role. The movie was anxiously awaited by fans and critics. While X-Men and X-2 were both well-received, X-3 and the spinoff Wolverine were disappointing, both monetarily and critically. No one needed to worry. With McAvoy and Michael Fassbender at the helm, X-Men First Class was a roaring success. With that in mind, we here at Portrait thought it was about time we let the rest of the world know why we’re in love with James McAvoy.

1) His favorite movie is “The Goonies”. James says “I try to be as honest as possible [when people ask him what his favorite film is] and it is “The Goonies”. I watched “The Goonies” a lot.

2) You’re welcome. Oh come on, like you aren’t pausing to stare at that for a minute or two.



3) He was in Band of Brothers. On the surface, that may not seem like a big deal. After all, James has been in quite a few movies. Here’s the thing though, the cast of Band of Brothers, kind of plays out like a round of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. As in, half the men of Hollywood showed up in that mini series at some point. Among the cast? Michael Fassbender, James’ X-Men First Class costar.

4) He was born in Scotland. Call me a cliché, but like most people, I’m a sucker for an accent. The below video has nothing to do with this point, other than that you get to hear James talking. And really, isn’t that enough?

5) His life philosophy is respect. “It’s all about respect: you should respect the world and people around you and expect it back in return.” James also says that the best advice he ever got was “turn up”.

6) He’s been to Narnia. Granted, I might be more excited about this than most people (I once rented an apartment solely on the fact that it had a wardrobe) but it’s still pretty sweet in my book.

7) This. What can I say? I’m a little bit shallow. (You know you’re grateful.)



8) He is one half of what may very well be the world’s most perfect bromance. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the playlist that is McBender. (Or FassAvoy, depending on your preference). Honestly, I don’t know how the interviewers kept a straight face in most of these clips.

9) He said yes to his role as Wesley in “Wanted” because he liked the idea of the hero being played by a guy who didn’t have the traditional “Bond” look. “I’m sick of seeing alpha males play all the heroes. So when someone like me gets offered a part like that, I thought, ‘Great! I’m going to go for it.”

10) This is another one of those no good reason numbers. Except of course for the reason of letting you stare at James a little bit longer.



11) He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Other famous alumni include Billy Boyd, Alison Brie, Alan Cumming and Henry Ian Cusick.

12) He has a sense of humor. When asked about his feelings on his fans, James responded with “To be honest, my fans tend to be women over 40 who like their men baby-faced or young girls who are way too young for me. Or men.” Um, after your latest role, I’d say you’ve got a lot more fans than that, James.

13) James is a bit of a geek (which naturally makes him that much sexier). He loves Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and Battlestar Galactica. Now that’s fraking awesome.

14) It’s Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy in the same picture. Let me say that again. ANDREW GARFIELD AND JAMES MCAVOY IN THE SAME PICTURE. Okay, I’m done.



15) He’s a massive supporter of the Celtic Football Club. Sports, geekery (it’s a word) and talent? I’d say sign me up, except…

16) Sorry, ladies, James is and has been off the market for a while. He’s been happily married since 2006 and has a little boy named Brendan.

17) Another one of those moments that doesn’t really have a point. Although it does have both McAvoy and Fassbender in it. And Henry Cavill. And Andrew Garfield. And Christian Bale. Okay maybe there is a point.



18) He researches his roles. In fact, James very thoroughly exposited about his role as the faun, Mr. Tumnus in “The Lion and the Witch and the Wardrobe” and his relationship with 8 year old Lucy Pevensie. “Classically speaking, fauns are followers of Dionysus and Bacchus and they make reference to that in the book. They were free, they were unrestricted. That’s why, I think, it was a good choice to make Tumnus a faun, because he’s about openness, which is what he and Lucy have in common. When they meet each other it is fast friends immediately. It’s quite unviable to make friends that quickly, but we have to believe it can happen. “

19) This interview has long been a favorite. I love the variety that Craig Ferguson offers as a host because he never asks the same boring questions that most other late night hosts ask. Unfortunately, the embedding was disabled but click on the link for plenty of opportunities to laugh and swoon. Among the discussion points; Morgan Freeman’s dignified bum, getting beaten up by Angelina Jolie and how many poo’s one can take while wearing Elizabethan trousers.
http://youtu.be/dcxiYqVvkD0

20) Did you really think I wouldn’t end this top 20 list with a picture of James?




For more on James Check out these great Fansites:
 Simply James McAvoy