James McAvoy was struck by a man at a Toronto bar Monday night while in town for the Toronto International Film Festival, Page Six reported.
According to the outlet, which cited People, the 46-year-old actor was at Charlotte’s Room with producers of his new film, California Schemin’, when a drunken patron being escorted out of the establishment punched McAvoy from behind. A source close to the actor told Page Six, "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."
The source said McAvoy's back was turned when the man "just punched him." The actor reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation and remained at the bar after the incident, laughing it off. Page Six said neither McAvoy’s representative nor Charlotte’s Room immediately responded to requests for comment.
McAvoy was in Toronto to promote California Schemin’, his directorial debut, which had its world premiere at TIFF over the weekend. The film, in which McAvoy also has a small role, dramatizes the true story of Silibil N’Brains, a Scottish hip-hop duo that posed as Americans to break into the music industry. It is based in part on Gavin Bain’s 2011 autobiography, Straight Outta Scotland: A True Story of Fakery, Money and Betrayal in the Music Industry.
McAvoy and his wife, Lisa Liberati, attended the film’s premiere Saturday. The actor has previously said he and Liberati married privately in 2022; the couple welcomed a son that year. McAvoy also has an older son, Brendan, with his ex-wife, actress Anne-Marie Duff.
The incident adds to a string of isolated attacks on public figures in recent years but, per the account published by Page Six, did not result in visible injury or an escalation involving McAvoy. TIFF runs through the week, drawing industry events and late-night gatherings across the city as filmmakers and talent attend premieres and promotional appearances.
Representatives for McAvoy and Charlotte’s Room had not issued statements to media outlets at the time of the report. Organizers at TIFF confirmed the actor’s attendance at the film’s premiere but declined to comment on the bar incident when reached through standard festival channels.
McAvoy’s profile has expanded in recent years through both acting roles and his move into directing; California Schemin’ marks his latest project as a filmmaker. The film’s premiere in Toronto will likely continue its festival run and shape early critical attention as it seeks distribution and broader release plans.