James McAvoy was reportedly attacked in Toronto while attending the Toronto International Film Festival. The Scottish actor was in the city to promote his directorial debut, California Schemin’.
The incident took place on Monday night at Charlotte’s Room, a popular Toronto bar. According to reports, McAvoy was spending the evening with producers of his new movie. The gathering was meant to be a casual night out during the busy film festival.
Just before midnight, an unidentified man struck McAvoy. Witnesses said the actor attempted to defuse the situation. He reportedly tried to calm the man before staff and others removed the individual from the venue.
A person close to the actor spoke to People about what happened. The source explained that McAvoy had his back turned when the man, who was being escorted out for drinking too much, punched him.
The source added, “James was having a casual get-together with the producers of his movie. As he later learned when speaking with the staff, there was a man who drank too much who was getting escorted out. James’ back was to him and the man just punched him.”
Reports suggest McAvoy remained calm after the incident. He did not engage further with the aggressor. Instead, he stayed with his group while bar staff handled the situation.
The actor has not issued a public statement so far. It also remains unclear whether police were called to the scene or if charges will follow.
McAvoy was in Toronto for the premiere of California Schemin’. The film marks his first project as a director. The screening has been one of the anticipated highlights of the festival, with fans and critics eager to see McAvoy’s work behind the camera.
The actor is best known for roles in Split, Atonement, and the X-Men series. His directorial debut shows his effort to expand his career beyond acting.
Charlotte’s Room, the bar where the incident occurred, is known as a popular spot in Toronto’s nightlife. It attracts both locals and international visitors, especially during the film festival. The incident, however, does not appear to have disrupted regular operations at the establishment.
Fans expressed concern online after hearing about the attack. Many praised McAvoy for remaining calm and not escalating the situation. Social media posts have shown strong support for the actor, with some calling the incident “unfortunate” but admiring how he handled it.
Incidents like this highlight the challenges celebrities can face in public spaces. Toronto International Film Festival often brings large crowds and high-profile guests, which can sometimes lead to unexpected confrontations.
While such incidents are rare, they remind organizers and venues of the need for proper security and crowd management. It is not known whether festival security was directly involved in this situation.
Despite the bar incident, McAvoy’s focus remains on his film. California Schemin’ has received attention for being a bold first step in his directing career. The incident does not appear to have affected festival events or the promotion of the movie.
For now, McAvoy continues to participate in the festival. His calm reaction to the attack has drawn respect from fans and colleagues alike.
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