History Creator / JamesMcAvoy

James [=McAvoy=] (born April 21, 1979) is a Scottish actor who is recognized for a variety of well-received roles and memorable characters. He appeared in a single episode of ''Series/BandOfBrothers'', which first brought him to the attention of Hollywood. ''Series/ChildrenOfDune'' provided his first experience in a starring role (he portrayed the main character for two of its three chapters). He then jump-started his career in the UK as Steve [=McBride=] on ''Series/ShamelessUK''.

* ''Becoming Jane'' (2007)

** He shaved his head for ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', ''Film/{{Split}}'', ''Film/DarkPhoenix'' and ''Film/Glass2019''. He also picked up a insane amount of muscle mass for the latter.

* PlayingAgainstType: [[invoked]]

** In ''Film/{{Trance}}'', it's disconcerting to learn that his character is a [[spoiler:homicidal DomesticAbuser]].

** He shaved his head for ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', ''Film/{{Split}}'', ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' and ''Film/Glass2019''. He also picked up a insane amount of muscle mass for the latter.

From being once solely known by worldwide moviegoers as "that guy who played [[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Mr. Tumnus]]," [=McAvoy=] has since achieved mainstream success and acclaim after starring as the lead in ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'' as [[TheCasanova Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (which earned him the UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}} Rising Star Award) and the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' as [[ClearMyName Robbie Turner]] (which led to a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), as well as box office hits ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' as Wesley Gibson, and [[Film/XMenFirstClass the X-Men]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast First Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse trilogy]] as the young ComicBook/ProfessorX. [[BrokenBird His role]] in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' is considered by many critics to be one of the finest examples of acting in a comic book movie.

He has also performed in a dozen major plays as of 2015 (a full list can be [[http://unitedagents.co.uk/james-mcavoy found here]]), and has been thrice nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the lead character in ''Three Days of Rain'', ''Theatre/{{Macbeth}}'' and ''The Ruling Class''. Some theatre critics have even stated that James' stage work is superior to his strongest film roles.

[=McAvoy=] describes himself as "not ugly, but not your classic lead man, Creator/BradPitt guy." His fans [[PrettyBoy beg to]] [[ArousedByTheirVoice disagree]]. He is well-known for his striking [[http://weheartit.com/entry/18524903/via/bolstad blue eyes,]] red lips and [[ManlyTears crying in pretty much every movie he's ever been in]].

* {{Adorkable}}: He has played cute geeks in the 2002 miniseries ''Literature/WhiteTeeth'', ''Film/StarterForTen'', ''The Last Station'', ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', ''WesternAnimation/ArthurChristmas'' and ''Film/XMenApocalypse''.

* InnocentBlueEyes: His bright, baby blue irises are sometimes emphasized by a director to denote the character's goodness and/or naïvety, such as [[Series/BandOfBrothers Pvt. James W. Miller]], [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]], Jay (''Bollywood Queen''), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]], [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]], [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]], Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station'') and [[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]].

* MrFanservice: This occurs quite frequently in his career, and one can't help but suspect that a lot of directors he works with like to present him as a sensual figure to the audience. [=McAvoy=] himself acknowledges that it's part of his job to "[[https://youtu.be/RgOdzZt3M7Y?t=2m26s get naked [...] in front of the camera,]]" and he also adds:

* PrettyBoy: His career is essentially built around this trope.
** His boyish beauty is sometimes emphasized by a director to denote the character's goodness and/or naïvety, such as [[Series/BandOfBrothers Pvt. James W. Miller]], [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]], Jay (''Bollywood Queen''), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]], [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]], [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]], Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station'') and [[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]].
** As the teenaged and virginal [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]], the [[FemaleGaze camera angles and close-ups often focus on his physical beauty]], and it symbolizes what a huge personal sacrifice it is for him to give up his own humanity (by transforming into a grotesque SandWorm) so that he can initiate the Golden Path and save humankind from extinction.
** The impoverished, innocent-looking and all-too-young Lord Simon Balcairn in ''Bright Young Things'' [[spoiler:commits suicide, and his death]] mirrors the abrupt end to the frivolous and carefree lifestyle of the British IdleRich due to the arrival of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.
** Subverted with [[Film/{{Trance}} Simon Newton]]. His youthful facial features tend to be highlighted, and he initially appears to be the most sympathetic character in the film, but it's later revealed that Simon is [[spoiler:an abusive, violent boyfriend and a murderer]].

** His current girlfriend Lisa Liberati worked as a production assistant on ''Film/{{Split}}''.

** He screen-tested and was one of the final candidates for the role of the Characters/EleventhDoctor on ''Series/DoctorWho'' before Creator/MattSmith was cast.

** He shaved his head for ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', ''Film/{{Split}}'', ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' and ''Film/Glass2019''.

** He auditioned and was heavily considered for the role of the Eleventh Doctor on ''Series/DoctorWho'' before Creator/MattSmith was cast.

** ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' (2019)

* BrainyBrunet: This is one aspect of his TypeCasting. His highly educated onscreen personas include [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]] (academic nerd), [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]] (political strategist with access to the life experiences and knowledge of all of his genetic ancestors), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (medical doctor), [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]] (academic nerd), [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]] (a would-be medical student), Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''--law student), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station''--Tolstoyan scholar), [[Film/TheConspirator Frederick Aiken]] (lawyer), [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] (geneticist) and the titular ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' (medical student).

* FakeAmerican: [[invoked]] In ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', ''Film/TheConspirator'', ''Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''. [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] is half-American.[[note]]This is confirmed in ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' when the character mentions his grandfather planting a tree on the Westchester estate.[[/note]]

** He had stated that one of the reasons he wanted to play [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] was so that he can embody a young [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Captain Picard]]. He frequently expressed to interviewers how much it delighted him to share a scene with Creator/PatrickStewart in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', and the standard Blu-Ray release includes a featurette called "Double Take: Xavier & Magneto" where [=McAvoy=] can't stop fanboy-ing over his idol. He was also fond of the ''WesternAnimation/XMen'' animated series when he was younger, and can [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUezp2d6vks hum the theme song]] from memory.

** ''Film/Deadpool2'' (2018)

* ''Film/ItChapterTwo''

* BrainyBrunette: This is one aspect of his TypeCasting. His highly educated onscreen personas include [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]] (academic nerd), [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]] (political strategist with access to the life experiences and knowledge of all of his genetic ancestors), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (medical doctor), [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]] (academic nerd), [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]] (a would-be medical student), Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''--law student), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station''--Tolstoyan scholar), [[Film/TheConspirator Frederick Aiken]] (lawyer), [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] (geneticist) and the titular ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' (medical student).

** He shaved his head for ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''.

* PrettyBoy: His career is essentially built around this trope.
** His boyish beauty is sometimes emphasized by a director to denote the character's goodness and/or naïvety, such as [[Series/BandOfBrothers Pvt. James W. Miller]], [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]], Jay (''Bollywood Queen''), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]], [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]], [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]], Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station'') and [[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]].
** As the teenaged and virginal [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]], the [[FemaleGaze camera angles and close-ups often focus on his physical beauty]], and it symbolizes what a huge personal sacrifice it is for him to give up his own humanity (by transforming into a grotesque SandWorm) so that he can initiate the Golden Path and save humankind from extinction.
** The impoverished, innocent-looking and all-too-young Lord Simon Balcairn in ''Bright Young Things'' [[spoiler:commits suicide, and his death]] mirrors the abrupt end to the frivolous and carefree lifestyle of the British IdleRich due to the arrival of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.
** Subverted with [[Film/{{Trance}} Simon Newton]]. His youthful facial features tend to be highlighted, and he initially appears to be the most sympathetic character in the film, but it's later revealed that Simon is [[spoiler:an abusive, violent boyfriend and a murderer]].

* TypeCasting: [[invoked]] He is often cast as a WideEyedIdealist or an [[BrainyBrunette intellectual]] (or both--[[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]] is the prime example). He has also acknowledged that he is [[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1239690/James-McAvoy-How-I-feel-typecast.html offered many period roles]] because of his skinny build.

** ''Series/ChildrenOfDune'': Leto Atreides II is the central focus of two of its three episodes, but he's very small on the [[http://images.moviepostershop.com/children-of-dune-movie-poster-2003-1020477364.jpg poster,]] and you don't even get to see [=McAvoy=]'s face. This gets rectified for the [[http://pic.pimg.tw/lunablue/49cfb2861ad7d.jpg North American DVD release.]]
** ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'': Dr. Garrigan is the main protagonist, but Creator/ForestWhitaker's Idi Amin completely dominates the [[http://www.impawards.com/2006/posters/last_king_of_scotland.jpg theatrical poster]] and the North American [[http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nnwj5qvuL.jpg Blu-Ray/DVD cover.]]

** ''Film/{{Wanted}}'': Despite receiving first billing, he is considerably smaller than Creator/AngelinaJolie on the [[http://www.impawards.com/2008/posters/wanted.jpg poster]] and the standard DVD cover (which used the same picture), but he's treated more fairly on the [[http://images4.static-bluray.com/movies/covers/837_front.jpg Blu-Ray artwork.]]

** ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' (2018)

* TheCameo: As a UPS delivery guy in ''Film/MuppetsMostWanted''.

From being once solely known by worldwide moviegoers as "that guy who played [[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Mr. Tumnus]]," [=McAvoy=] has since achieved mainstream success and acclaim after starring as the lead in ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'' as [[TheCasanova Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (which earned him the UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}} Rising Star Award) and the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' as [[ClearMyName Robbie Turner]] (which led to a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), as well as box office hits ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' as Wesley Gibson, and [[Film/XMenFirstClass the X-Men]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast First Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse trilogy]] as the young [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Charles Xavier]]. [[BrokenBird His role]] in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' is considered by many critics to be one of the finest examples of acting in a comic book movie.

* PeriodPiece: It's part of his TypeCasting. The productions which feature him in a past era include ''Lorna Doone'' (2000 TV movie), ''Series/BandOfBrothers'', ''Series/FoylesWar'', ''Bright Young Things'', ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'', ''Film/StarterForTen'', ''Film/{{Atonement}}'', ''Becoming Jane'', ''The Last Station'', ''Film/TheConspirator'', ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'', ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' and ''The Coldest City''.

* ChronicallyKilledActor: Happens quite often during the early years of his career. He dies in: [[spoiler:''Series/BandOfBrothers'', ''Film/ThePool'', ''Murder in Mind'', ''Series/InspectorLynley'', ''Bright Young Things'', ''Film/RoryOSheaWasHere'', ''Series/ShakespeareRetold'', ''Film/{{Atonement}}'', ''Film/{{Trance}}'', ''Film/{{Filth}}'']].

** ''Film/{{Glass}}'' (2019)

* ''The Coldest City'' (2017)

* FakeAmerican: [[invoked]] In ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', ''Film/TheConspirator'' and ''Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby''. [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesProfessorCharlesXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] is half-American.[[note]]This is confirmed in ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' when the character mentions his grandfather planting a tree on the Westchester estate.[[/note]]

* PromotedFanboy: [[invoked]]

** His ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff was once his co-star on ''Series/{{Shameless}}''.

** ''Film/{{Atonement}}'': For the official [[http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~nishiken/images/img318.jpg Japanese poster]] and the [[http://images2.static-bluray.com/movies/dvdcovers/96487_front.jpg Canadian DVD artwork,]] Creator/KeiraKnightley is much more noticeable than her male co-star, even though [=McAvoy=] has the most screen time.

From being once solely known by worldwide moviegoers as "that guy who played [[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Mr. Tumnus]]," [=McAvoy=] has since achieved mainstream success and acclaim after starring as the lead in ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'' as [[TheCasanova Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (which earned him the UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}} Rising Star Award) and the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' as [[ClearMyName Robbie Turner]] (which led to a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), as well as box office hits ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' as Wesley Gibson, and [[Film/XMenFirstClass the X-Men]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast First Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse trilogy]] as the young [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Charles Xavier]]. [[BrokenBird His role]] in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' is considered by many critics to be one of the finest examples of acting in a comic book movie.

* BrainyBrunette: This is one aspect of his TypeCasting. His highly educated onscreen personas include [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]] (academic nerd), [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]] (political strategist with access to the life experiences and knowledge of all of his genetic ancestors), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (medical doctor), [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]] (academic nerd), [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]] (a would-be medical student), Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''--law student), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station''--Tolstoyan scholar), [[Film/TheConspirator Frederick Aiken]] (lawyer), [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] (geneticist) and the titular ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' (medical student).

* EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: The American host of [[https://youtu.be/Ots-wM4YFqs?t=10m50s Mark at the Movies]] has remarked that (specifically North American) ladies swoon over [=McAvoy's=] Scottish brogue.

* FakeAmerican: [[invoked]] In ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', ''Film/TheConspirator'' and ''Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby''. [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] is half-American.[[note]]This is confirmed in ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' when the character mentions his grandfather planting a tree on the Westchester estate.[[/note]]

* PlayingWithCharacterType: [[invoked]] In ''Film/VictorFrankenstein''. He was almost always TypeCast as a WideEyedIdealist, he often appeared in {{Period Piece}}s, and he had about a dozen roles where he portrayed an [[BrainyBrunet intellectual character]]. Between 2013 and 2015, however, he was PlayingAgainstType as all of his onscreen and theatre personas suffered from mental illness. [=McAvoy=]'s interpretation of MadScientist Victor Frankenstein combines ''all'' of these elements; Victor is a dark character, but even he possesses a hint of naïvety when he says things like, "I dream of a world where hope replaces fear." That line of dialogue could have been spoken by the benevolent [[Film/XMenFirstClass Dr. Charles Xavier]] (which is [=McAvoy=]'s most famous example of TypeCasting), but in Victor's case, his idealism is mixed with SanitySlippage, and they twist him into a WellIntentionedExtremist. Those who have attended test screenings for ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' have described [=McAvoy's=] role as a cross between Professor X and the psychologically disturbed [[Film/{{Filth}} Bruce Robertson]] (which is the actor's most notable PlayingAgainstType performance).

** He has stated that one of the reasons he wanted to play [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] was so that he can embody a young [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Captain Picard]], and he was also fond of the ''WesternAnimation/XMen'' animated series when he was younger. He can [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUezp2d6vks hum the theme song]] from memory.

** His boyish beauty (which includes his [[InnocentBlueEyes bright, baby blue irises]]) is sometimes emphasized by a director to denote the character's goodness and/or naïvety, such as [[Series/BandOfBrothers Pvt. James W. Miller]], [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]], Jay (''Bollywood Queen''), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]], [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]], [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]], Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station'') and [[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]].

* RomanceOnTheSet: [[invoked]] His ex-wife was once his co-star on ''Series/{{Shameless}}''.

** Got the part as Robbie Turner in ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' because the character is described as having eyes of optimism, and so does [=McAvoy's=], according to its director.

** ''Film/{{Atonement}}'': For the official [[http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~nishiken/images/img318.jpg Japanese poster,]] Creator/KeiraKnightley is much more noticeable than her male co-star, even though [=McAvoy=] has the most screen time.

James [=McAvoy=] (April 21, 1979-) is a Scottish actor who is recognized for a variety of well-received roles and memorable characters. He appeared in a single episode of ''Series/BandOfBrothers'', which first brought him to the attention of Hollywood. ''Series/ChildrenOfDune'' provided his first experience in a starring role (he portrayed the main character for two of its three chapters). He then jump-started his career in the UK as Steve [=McBride=] on ''Series/ShamelessUK''.

From being once solely known by worldwide moviegoers as "that guy who played [[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Mr. Tumnus]]," [=McAvoy=] has since achieved mainstream success and acclaim after starring as the lead in ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'' as [[TheCasanova Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (which earned him the UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}} Rising Star Award) and the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' as [[ClearMyName Robbie Turner]] (which led to a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), as well as box office hits ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' as [[{{Badass}} Wesley Gibson]], and [[Film/XMenFirstClass the X-Men]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast First Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse trilogy]] as the young [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Charles Xavier]]. [[BrokenBird His role]] in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' is considered by many critics to be one of the finest examples of acting in a comic book movie.

!! Associated Tropes:

** James recounts to [[https://youtu.be/H1LUWVjtC2Y?t=22m14s TV host Graham Norton]] a childhood anecdote when he used to practice his "telepathy" on his family's cat.
--->"When I was a kid, I used to sit there looking the cat in the eye and just going, 'Move. ''(performs a PstandardPsychicPstance)'' Move.' And every now and again, after half an hour, it would eventually move. And I'd be like, 'YESSS! I'm a mutant!' [...] When I was a kid, I used to believe I could [mind-]bend your cat."
** Towards the end of [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/cannes-video-james-mcavoy-stars-705634 this video,]] [=McAvoy=] ''almost'' forgets that he's not Professor X because he is about to do a PstandardPsychicPstance before realizing his mistake and changing it into a goodbye wave.

* {{Badass}}: He performed almost all of his own stunts in ''Film/WelcomeToThePunch'', as you can see in [[http://seitou.tumblr.com/post/44089732066/seraphi0701 this featurette.]]

* BrainyBrunet: This is one aspect of his TypeCasting. His highly educated onscreen personas include [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]] (academic nerd), [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]] (political strategist with access to the life experiences and knowledge of all of his genetic ancestors), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]] (medical doctor), [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]] (academic nerd), [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]] (a would-be medical student), Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''--law student), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station''--Tolstoyan scholar), [[Film/TheConspirator Frederick Aiken]] (lawyer), [[XMenFilmSeries/ProfessorCharlesFrancisXavier Professor Charles Xavier]] (geneticist) and the titular ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' (medical student).

* CelebrityIsOverrated: He is a modest man who doesn't like the whole process of having to talk about himself to the media.
-->"It's a difficult thing--you've got to talk about yourself, but you've also got to try not to say anything about yourself. The more you give of yourself, the more there is to chase after."
** After his son was born, [=McAvoy=] [[http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/01/26/james-mcavoy-wont-talk-about-his-son refuses to talk about his child]] in public.

* EvenTheGuysWantHim:
** A male journalist from [[http://www.craveonline.ca/film/reviews/697385-filth-review-hot-scuzz CraveOnline.ca]] (who is presumably straight) gushes over the actor's attractiveness:
--->"When James [=McAvoy=] stares at himself naked in the mirror (and I think most of us would if we looked like James [=McAvoy=]), I have a sneaking suspicion that he scowls. He's such a damned pretty human being, but if you look at his films, he only really seems to get off on playing total bastards. The endangered subconscious of Simon from ''Trance''. The easily corrupted Dr. Garrigan from ''The Last King of Scotland''. Even Professor Charles Xavier seems kind of like a dickbag when James [=McAvoy=] gets a hold of him. [=McAvoy's=] boyish good looks and playful sleaziness make these scoundrels much more charismatic than they by all rights deserve, and his performance in ''Filth'' may be his assholish pièce de résistance."
** Creator/BenedictCumberbatch thinks that James is [[http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/545067/sherlock-star-benedict-cumberbatch-james-mcavoy-is-gorgeous-but-i-m-not-very-confident-about-my-looks gorgeous.]]
--->"I have wanted to play roles that have gone to much better-looking people than me and you think: 'Oh well, that's the pin-up guy's part...' for an actor like my friend James [=McAvoy=], who's gorgeous on screen."
** Creator/DanielRadcliffe may have a bit of a [[http://hub.aa.com/en/aw/daniel-radcliffe-how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying-new-york-city?zonemode=page3 man crush]] on [=McAvoy=]:
--->"I don't view my face as particularly interesting to watch, whereas some actors you can't take your eyes off, like James [=McAvoy=]. I think I could watch him read the phone book."
** [[http://messedup4good.tumblr.com/post/108205515243/jon-s-baird-on-james-mcavoys-eyes-i-love After complimenting James' "incredible blues"]] (referring to the actor's expressive eyes), Jon S. Baird then made a LoveConfession.
--->'''Baird''': I love you, James.\\
'''James [=McAvoy=]''': I think I'm going to get lucky tonight.
** After the first two official behind-the-scenes images of ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' were released, [[http://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/33pdfu/first_official_look_at_james_mcavoy_daniel/ several heterosexual guys on Reddit were willing to admit that they find [=McAvoy=] attractive.]]
--->"[=McAvoy=] is lookin' Franken-fine."\\
"Please be a guy, so I'm not the only one that thinks this, too. Something about that guy. Handsome as all fuck. Yes, I'm jealous." \\
"Yup same here - Have man crush on him."\\
"My exact thoughts."\\
"I'm a straight (as straight as the Kinsey scale allows, anyway) dude, [=McAvoy=] is a damn fine looking dude. No shame in admitting that."\\
"He makes me question my sexuality"
** Fred Savage [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKpP2WKMGbc can't hide his admiration]] with comments like, "''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'' is when I just kind of fell in love you" and "[[ArousedByTheirVoice I could listen you talk about anything]] [...] It's true, it's true! Describe something." James then replies that this is the first time a man has told him he likes listening to the sound of his voice.
* [[EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench Everything Sounds Sexier in Scottish]]:
** [=McAvoy=] takes part in a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVJ57u1NCbY French comedy skit]] (although his role is in English), and the comments section underneath the video is full of French fangirls who are wholly smitten by the actor's Scottish accent.
** The American host of [[https://youtu.be/Ots-wM4YFqs?t=10m50s Mark at the Movies]] has remarked that (specifically North American) ladies swoon over James' Scottish brogue.
--->'''Mark at the Movies''': I want to be young, I want to be good-looking, and have an accent! That guy [James [=McAvoy=]] says "Fishcakes," [...] and all the women go, "Awwww..."\\
'''Female Colleague''': [[ArousedByTheirVoice I got really turned on by it]].
* {{Geek}}:
** MTV reporter Josh Horowitz invokes this when he asks Creator/JamesMcAvoy (whom Josh recognizes is "a big ol' [[OneOfUs geek]]") what an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WItWE2aeJ1E X-Men vs. the Avengers]] battle would look like. The actor's passionate defense of the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' fandom is totally {{Adorkable}}!
--->'''Horowitz''': Cage match, how does it go down? X-Men, enter the cage, Avengers, enter the cage.\\
'''[=McAvoy=]''': There's like 40 of us, and like 5 of them!\\
'''Horowitz''': Sheer numbers!\\
'''[=McAvoy=]''': One of them's like half-man, half-robot, you just turn off the power, and he's done! And another one is a guy with a shield who is a bit strong. I mean, come on! And who's the other one? The guy with the bow and arrow. We've got guns and stuff, [Wolverine]'s got claws. ''(performs a PstandardPsychicPstance)'' I could just go like, "Sit down," and they all sit down. I'd be like, "Have a cup of tea," and they'd all be having a cup of tea. I'd be like, "Take your clothes off," and they'd all be taking their clothes off. It would just be a disaster.\\
'''Horowitz''': Embarrassing for them, really.\\
'''[=McAvoy=]''': Yeah, exactly.
** The actor arrogantly shows off his knowledge of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OlnmvXCG3g sci-fi/fantasy trivia]] against Horowitz and Creator/DanielRadcliffe.

* HollywoodNerd: Played straight as [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]] in the miniseries adaptation and as [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]]. Downplayed with [[Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby Conor Ludlow]] because the character only puts on his spectacles when he's doing the paperwork for his small business, although his father mentions that he had furnished Conor with a six-figure education, so Conor is more intellectual than he let's on. Also applies to the actor in RealLife (who is ProudToBeAGeek) on the rare occasion when he wears his glasses in public. Prada even exploited this trope when James [[http://40.media.tumblr.com/11c8753e9bdd6fb57d7dbb1b61f8b9ce/tumblr_ner35dQWPp1th474io2_1280.jpg modeled]] for the fashion house in 2014.
* InnocentBlueEyes[=/=]PrettyBoy[=/=]WideEyedIdealist: His career is essentially built around these three tropes.
** His boyish beauty (which includes his bright, baby blue irises) is sometimes emphasized by a director to denote the character's goodness and/or naïvety, such as [[Series/BandOfBrothers Pvt. James W. Miller]], [[Literature/WhiteTeeth Josh Malfen]], Jay (''Bollywood Queen''), [[Film/TheLastKingOfScotland Dr. Nicholas Garrigan]], [[Film/StarterForTen Brian Jackson]], [[Film/{{Atonement}} Robbie Turner]], Tom Lefroy (''Becoming Jane''), Valentin Bulgakov (''The Last Station'') and [[Film/XMenFirstClass Professor]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse Charles Xavier]].
** As the teenaged and virginal [[Series/ChildrenOfDune Leto Atreides II]], the [[FemaleGaze camera angles and close-ups often focus on his physical beauty]], and it symbolizes what a huge personal sacrifice it is for him to give up his own humanity (by transforming into a grotesque SandWorm) so that he can initiate the Golden Path and save humankind from extinction.
** The impoverished, innocent-looking and all-too-young Lord Simon Balcairn in ''Bright Young Things'' [[spoiler:commits suicide, and his death]] mirrors the abrupt end to the frivolous and carefree lifestyle of the British IdleRich due to the arrival of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.
** Subverted with [[Film/{{Trance}} Simon Newton]]. His youthful facial features tend to be highlighted, and he initially appears to be the most sympathetic character in the film, but it's later revealed that Simon is [[spoiler:an abusive, violent boyfriend and a murderer]].
* InTouchWithHisFeminineSide: He describes himself as [[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/james-mcavoy-new-king-hotness-article-1.272573 "more about brains than brawn" and a "non-alpha male."]] David Nicholls (the author and screenwriter of ''Film/StarterForTen'') [[http://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/oct/15/features.magazine believes that]] "James appeals to both men and women [...]; he's one of the boys, but he also has a great sensitivity. He's masculine without being macho." Not surprisingly, a lot of [=McAvoy=]'s roles feature men with androgynous personalities.
* ManlyTears: He reveals in [[http://ajpitts.com/news-article/james-mcavoy-gets-it-right/142/ this interview,]] "Yeah, I cry easy. I cry easy as an actor and as an audience member." Creator/BryanSinger in his commentary for ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' admits that he was very impressed by James' ability to consistently be teary-eyed in front of the camera at the director's request.
-->'''Singer''': I've had the blessing and the privilege of working with a lot of great actors in my life, but I've never once asked how they elicit their tears and crying. And I was out to dinner with James [=McAvoy=] one night, and I asked him, "What do you think about in your mind? Like what do you call to your memory when you're crying or making tears?" Which he can always do, on cue, repetitively, and always the same manner for continuity, and it's brilliant. [...] And he actually said to me, "99% of the time I think about scene. I'm inspired by the tragedy and the sadness of the scene itself and what the characters are going through." [...] He said once in a while he'll pull a sad memory, but for the most part, he just takes your words, and uses them as his motivation.

** Paul Webster, the producer of ''Film/{{Atonement}}'', lampshades this in [[http://movieweb.com/movie/atonement/james-mcavoy/ one of the movie's featurettes]] when he talks about James' skill as a performer.

* MrFanservice: This occurs quite frequently in his career, and one can't help but suspect that a lot of directors he works with like to present him as a sensual figure to the audience. [=McAvoy=] himself acknowledges that it's part of his job to "[[https://youtu.be/RgOdzZt3M7Y?t=2m26s get naked [...] in front of the camera,]]" and he also adds, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opKuT_I5Fq8 The amount of times I have to get my naked backside out surprised me.]] Wow, they're really lingering on this shot. [..] This has got more screen time than my face. My face, my ass, what a combination."
** He couldn't have known that his very first acting gig (''The Near Room'') would start this trend; his character practices boxing without a shirt in one scene.
** With a title like ''Film/ThePool'' (listed as ''Swimming Pool'' on Website/IMDb), his character would of course end up wearing only his swimming trunks.
** He spends a large amount of his screen time in ''Series/ChildrenOfDune'' looking like a [[WalkingShirtlessScene shirtless]] Adonis.
** At one point in ''Series/ShamelessUK'', he is stark naked with red roses covering his groin area. He also exposes his buttocks to moon another character.
** His character's chest is bare while watching TV in ''Film/{{Wimbledon}}''.
** In ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'', it's [[JustifiedTrope justified]] that he's a WalkingShirtlessScene because his character is a faun.
** ''Series/ShakespeareRetold'' gives the actor a couple of [[ShirtlessScene Shirtless Scenes]].
** In ''Film/TheLastKingOfScotland'', he can be seen in various stages of undress, including a couple of moments where his character is butt-naked, plus there is MaleFrontalNudity for a split second.
** We see his bare torso in ''Film/StarterForTen'' when his character is getting ready for a date.
** In ''Becoming Jane'', his character takes part in a boxing match without his shirt, and later in the movie he strips off all his clothing so that he can bathe in a river, which results in Male Back Nudity.
** Has a scene in ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' where he's both bare-chested ''and'' dripping wet.
** In ''The Last Station'', his character has a couple of sex scenes, so naturally he reveals a fair amount of skin.
** Is briefly nude in ''Film/{{Trance}}'' (although his hands cover his genitals), and it's swiftly followed by a ShirtlessScene.
** He provides Male Back Nudity in ''Film/{{Filth}}'', although his pasty and slightly chubby appearance may also count as a case of FanDisservice.
** ''Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby'' features Conor removing his T-shirt while he's being physically intimate with his wife.
** A downplayed example in ''Film/XMenApocalypse''; Professor Xavier owns a [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfnMzOdUEAE5638.jpg:large white shirt with vertical strips of semi-transparent material]], so parts of his chest are somewhat visible. RuleOfSexy is in play here because it's out-of-character for him to put on a garment which could potentially be distracting to some of his students. (Another way to look at it is if a female teacher had worn the same shirt, it would be considered inappropriate.) It's the first time in the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' where Charles is mildly objectified, and it's a deliberate attempt by the filmmakers to evoke the HotTeacher trope.
** ''Film/{{Split}}'' displays the upper half of the actor's chiseled, muscular physique.
* OlderThanTheyLook: He appears a few years younger than his actual age, especially when he is clean-shaven. Guess which picture [[http://www.keysmashblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/james-mcavoy.png is older]] [[http://www.dyrt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jm.jpg than the other.]] [[http://40.media.tumblr.com/ce1f78f03c36fc09d1abf85a20c22472/tumblr_nbmykajvth1qd4yhbo1_1280.jpg This collage]] also demonstrates that his face has hardly changed over an eleven-year period.

** If it weren't for James' stubble in [[http://36.media.tumblr.com/d41f27cc590811a74fb1d434a93e4011/tumblr_nljck95AiP1rxopiao1_1280.jpg this photo,]] he would look nearly the same age as the adolescent actors.[[note]][=McAvoy=] is 8 years older than the eldest youngster.[[/note]]

* ProudToBeAGeek[=/=]{{Trekkie}}: He's very open about his affection for science-fiction/fantasy, and he especially adores ''Film/StarTrek'', as [[https://youtu.be/nMEje8Yk6zs?t=1m22s both parts of]] [[https://youtu.be/nMEje8Yk6zs?t=12m18s this interview]] can attest. Because he understands all facets of the fandom community, he knows how to appeal to fans when he promotes a genre film he has starred in. For instance, he is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbOwmwTaidg well-aware of the slash phenomenon]] and enjoys ActorShipping with his fellow male co-stars when their characters have a bromance.

* SirSwearsALot: He's known for using foul language in interviews, and has acknowledged on numerous occasions that he's "a walking dick/penis joke," but it's only in ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', ''Film/{{Filth}}'', ''Film/WelcomeToThePunch'' and ''Film/TheDisappearanceOfEleanorRigby'' where he portrays characters who curse like a sailor.
* {{Squee}}: He gets to play a scene with Sir Creator/PatrickStewart, whom he is a fan of, in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' and isn't shy about expressing how much that delights him in interviews. The Blu-Ray release includes a featurette called "Double Take: Xavier & Magneto" where [=McAvoy=] can't stop fanboy-ing over Stewart.
* VocalDissonance: For a physically small man, he has a fairly deep, manly voice. [[http://unitedvoices.tv/sites/default/files/audio/James%20McAvoy_Johnnie%20Walker.mp3 Here's an audio sample.]]

** Got the part as Robbie Turner in ''Film/{{Atonement}}'' because the character is described as having eyes of optimism, and so does James, according to its director.
--->'''Creator/JoeWright''': He has his eye on a very bright horizon.

--->'''Interviewer''': Jon, I wanted to ask you this. I mean, James [...] does have these very sympathetic eyes, and was it important for you to glaze those over in the film, and neutralize that trait of his? Because that's a trait for a lot of his good guy roles, it's something directors really lift and emphasize. \\
'''Baird''': Yeah, [...] the thing about Bruce is [...] that he's an outrageous character, and the only person who sees him as a human is [...] a character called Mary, and Bruce tries to save her husband's life, and she sees him as a hero. There's a scene between them where James' blue eyes really pop out, and you see the humanity of Bruce there, and it's a beautiful image. But he managed to hide them for the rest of the film. At that moment, I don't know what it was, but he let the audience in to the humanity of the character with those incredible blues.
** His baby blues were also acknowledged by [[http://www.instyle.com/news/man-style-james-mcavoy-may-have-filthy-mouth-all-we-can-focus-are-his-soulful-blue-eyes [=InStyle=] magazine]] with the title, ''James [=McAvoy=] May Have a Filthy Mouth, But All We Can Focus on Are His Soulful Blue Eyes''

* WolverinePublicity: James generally receives the short end of the stick when it comes to marketing. Even when he portrays the lead character, he is occasionally ignored or placed in the background of promotional materials.

** ''Film/{{Atonement}}'': For the official [[http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~nishiken/images/img318.jpg Japanese poster,]] Creator/KeiraKnightley is much more noticeable than her male co-star, even though James has the most screen time.

** ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'': Although Creator/HughJackman does have the most screen time of any single actor, the central character of the story is the younger Xavier, but Creator/JamesMcAvoy takes up a meager amount of space on the [[http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/X-Men-Days-of-Future-Past-Poster-High-Res.jpg official poster.]] Creator/JenniferLawrence is more famous than [=McAvoy=], so Mystique's prominence on the poster is equal to Wolverine's despite her role being smaller than Charles'. Moreover, [=McAvoy=] is absent from the [[http://static.srcdn.com/slir/w375-h500-q90-c375:500/wp-content/uploads/X-Men-Days-of-Future-Past-Rogue-Cut-Cover-Art.jpg Blu-Ray/DVD cover]] for ''The Rogue Cut'', which has Creator/MichaelFassbender's Magneto (who also is a bigger star than [=McAvoy=]) as its largest figure.
*** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' averts this phenomenon with [[http://cdn2-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/gallery/bts-x-men-apocalypse/cf7kkqeuuaeqame.jpg the theatrical poster]] and the Blu-Ray release for the [[http://images.static-bluray.com/movies/covers/161854_front.jpg X-Men Beginnings Trilogy.]] The latter recognizes that Professor X is the HeroProtagonist of the [[Film/XMenFirstClass First]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse saga]].
** ''Film/VictorFrankenstein'' marks the first time in James' career where he is more visible than the first-billed actor. The story is told from Igor's perspective, yet [=McAvoy=] has slightly more prominence than Creator/DanielRadcliffe in the trailers, the [[http://cdn2-www.shocktillyoudrop.com/assets/uploads/gallery/victor-frankenstein/victorpostersmall.jpg theatrical]] [[http://1.fwcdn.pl/an/49468/72114.12.jpg posters]] and the [[http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/08/18/exclusive-interview-with-victor-frankenstein-poster-designer-ciara-mcavoy-3480148 old-fashioned alternate poster]] created by professional artist Ciara [=McAvoy=]. Moreover, the film was known as ''Igor'' for a time, but the title was later switched to ''Victor Frankenstein''. Radcliffe is more famous than [=McAvoy=] (e.g. the former's Website/IMDb [=STARmeter=] is almost always consistenly higher than the latter's), so it's unusual that the marketing department chose to give more focus on the less well-known actor.

*** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' averts this phenomenon with [[http://cdn2-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/gallery/bts-x-men-apocalypse/cf7kkqeuuaeqame.jpg the theatrical poster]] and the Blu-Ray release for the [[http://images.static-bluray.com/movies/covers/161854_front.jpg X-Men Beginnings Trilogy.]] The latter acknowledges that Professor X is the HeroProtagonist of the [[Film/XMenFirstClass First]] [[Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast Class]] [[Film/XMenApocalypse saga]].