The actor was in Toronto to premiere his directorial debut, &34;California Schemin,'&34; when he was punched at a downtown bar. James McAvoy punched by man at b

The actor was in Toronto to premiere his directorial debut, "California Schemin,'" when he was punched at a downtown bar.

James McAvoy punched by man at bar during film festival: 'Caught him off guard'

The actor was in Toronto to premiere his directorial debut, "California Schemin,'" when he was punched at a downtown bar.

By Ryan Coleman

September 9, 2025 7:09 p.m. ET

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James McAvoy at TIFF 2025. Credit:

Mat Hayward/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

James McAvoy was punched by a stranger at a Toronto bar on Monday night while in town to premiere his directorial debut, *California Schemin'*, at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

A source close to McAvoy confirms to * *that the actor visited the bar Charlotte's Room, just two blocks from TIFF HQ, where he was enjoying a quiet evening with the producers of his new film.

A heavily intoxicated man who had been asked to leave by bar staff was passing McAvoy while on his way out when he "caught him off guard" with a punch.

James McAvoy at the EW Studio at TIFF in 2025.

Ben Trivett/Shutterstock

The *Speak No Evil *actor had not interacted with the man previously, nor did he provoke the attack, which occurred around 11:55 p.m. Other patrons of Charlotte's Room rushed in to restrain the man, who was eventually escorted out.**

EW has reached out to Charlotte's Room for comment.

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter* *to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.*****

*California Schemin*' is McAvoy's first turn in the director's chair, though he previously produced the 2013 Jon S. Baird film *Filth*, which he also starred in.

The 46-year-old Scottish star also appears in *California Schemin'*, which he described to PEOPLE as "the most creative thing I've ever done." The film tells the true story of two young men who journey from Scotland to America to test their mettle in the cutthroat world of hip-hop. Joining McAvoy in the cast are Séamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley, Lucy Halliday, and Rebekah Murrell.****

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"Look, I probably fell into all the same traps as every director that I've gone like, 'Dude, what are you doing? Just direct me right.' There is no 'right,'" he continued. "I thought I would have a shorthand with actors after 30 years, and I did to an extent."

This year's edition of the Canadian film festival, long considered a launching pad for the following year's Best Picture race at the Oscars, also throws a spotlight on the directorial debut of another A-list actor: Scarlett Johansson. The *Black Widow* star's *Eleanor The Great*, which stars 95-year-old June Squibb, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival back in May, but competes for the coveted TIFF People's Choice Award this year against *California Schemin'*.

*With reporting by Gerrad Hall.*

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