James Mcavoy Page 6

James McAvoy stars in M. Night Shyamalan's latest psychological thriller 'Split', which follows a man with 23 different personalities. James had to play 9 of them which he admits was a lot of work, but that work was helped by the director's determination to stick to his script to the very end.

James McAvoy stars in M Night Shyamalan's 'Split'

Often during filming, a screenplay is changed as the story comes to life, usually only slightly but sometimes very dramatically. It's not always easy to translate a vision on paper to live action, but M Night Shyamalan knows enough about the process to be able to make the first draft count.

Continue reading: M Night Shyamalan Knows How To Get Exactly What He Wants

X-Men: Apocalypse star James McAvoy and his wife Anne-Marie Duff are to divorce after nine years of marriage, the couple have confirmed. The Scottish actor, who is best known for his role as the young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, married Duff in 2006, after meeting on UK show ‘Shameless’.

James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff have announced their separation.

In a joint statement to People magazine the couple said: "It is with tremendous sadness that we have come to the decision to divorce. We enter this next phase with continued friendship, love and respect for one another and the shared focus of caring for our son. We ask that you respect our and, most importantly, our child's privacy during this time.”

Continue reading: James McAvoy And Anne-Marie Duff Announce Divorce

It seems, according to critics, that 'X-Men Apocalypse' will be joining 'Batman v Superman' in the list of the most disappointing comic book superhero films of 2016, as the franchise returns with much less excitement than the synopsis and trailers suggested. A bit of a Marvel misfire as it were.

'X-Men Apocalypse' hasn't found favour with critics

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what the critics hated most about the latest instalment of the 'X-Men' series, which sees the return of director Bryan Singer in a story about the impending doom of mankind. The confusing plot, the poor character development and some overly blase moments made for 'a franchise-killing disaster' according to Forbes, who also said, 'I am not sure how you make Oscar Isaac as a world-destroying baddie dull, but the powers-that-be have pulled it off.' Ouch!

Continue reading: Has 'X-Men Apocalypse' Doomed The Franchise?

The BBC has teamed up with Netflix to announce a televisual re-make of children’s favourite 'Watership Down', which will feature an all-star cast including new Star Wars actor John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult and James McAvoy among others.

The new four-part animation was announced by the BBC in conjunction with streaming giant Netflix on Wednesday (April 27th), and with a reported budget of nearly £20 million, represents the biggest joint venture between the two organisations to date. Using state of the art animation, it will apparently be broadcast on BBC1 in late 2017, with Netflix giving it its premiere throughout the rest of the world.

John Boyega is to voice 'Bigwig' in a re-make of 'Watership Down' for BBC and Netflix

Continue reading: John Boyega, James McAvoy And Ben Kingsley To Star In BBC / Netflix 'Watership Down' Re-Make

Victor Frankenstein stars James McAvoy as the doctor and Daniel Radcliffe as his assistant Igor, and the two actors developed a close friendship on-set, despite their 10-year age difference and the challenges of making the movie. This is reflected in the film's plot. As McAvoy notes, "Igor has something that Frankenstein needs, so he harnesses him. Frankenstein is very selfish and personally driven, so he's always using, but something of Igor gets through to him and they do form a loving relationship."

But Radcliffe says that the friendship he forged with McAvoy backstage is very different from what's on-screen. "Victor and Igor's relationship is quite an abusive one," he says. "I think James and I are fairly similar in terms of our work ethic. But we're lucky that we get to work in an industry where we can have a lot of fun while doing our jobs." Intriguingly, the character of Igor isn't even in Shelley's novel, but he's been important in the movies. "Victor and the monster have had plenty of time to get acquainted," says Radcliffe. "Now it's time for Victor and Igor! Something I found very interesting is that [screenwriter] Max Landis says one of his big inspirations for writing this film was The Social Network - this idea of two young guys on the tip of the spear of technology who are forging their ways forward and being told no and really overcoming it all with youthful rebellion and a complete lack of self-doubt. I find that rather exciting."

Continue reading: Victor Frankenstein Was A Bonding Experience For Mcavoy And Radcliffe

James McAvoy often gets mistaken for Ewan McGregor.

The 35-year-old actor has revealed supporters have approached him on several occasions because they think he is the 43-year-old Scottish star.

Speaking about one particular incident on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' last night (27.08.14), the actor, who is also from Scotland, recalled: ''I was in the gym not too long ago and this really nice little Argentinean girl came up to me and she was like, 'I love your films' and I was like, 'Thank you very much.'

Continue reading: James McAvoy Mistaken For Ewan McGregor By Fans

Possibly the biggest reunion movie of all time, X-men: Days of Future past isn't just a sequel to 2011's X-men: First Class, but also to the original 2000-2003 trilogy.

James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart confront younger and older versions of themselves in X-Men: Days of Future Past

Back from those first three films are director Bryan Singer, writer Simon Kinberg and cast members Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore and Daniel Cudmore.

Continue reading: X-Men: Back Together Again In Days Of Future Past

The early reviews of X-Men: Days of Future Past were potentially damaging. There was talk of the narrative being far too complex for the average movie fan to enjoy and many were suggesting Bryan Singer had bitten off more than he could chew by having the beloved characters from the original X-Men trilogy joining forces with their younger selves. 

James McAvoy [L] and Patrick Stewart [R]

Starring Sir Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy, X-Men: Days of Future Past is certainly a hotbed of serious acting talent, but very often, big names simply aren't enough to carry a poor script. Luckily, for 20th Century Fox, writers John Byrne, Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman haven't written a poor script. They haven't even written an overly complex script.

Continue reading: With 95%, 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Is The Best X-Men Movie. Period.

Professor X, Mystique, Magneto, Kitty Pryde and Wolverine are back, but this time the latter is trying to convince X-Men from the past to help stop a war that is going to occur in the future. It’s a complicated plot, by all accounts, but one that Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn have portrayed skilfully, with plenty of action in between.

Charles Xavier meets his past self

The critics have kicked off the ever fluctuating aggregate Rotten Tomato score with a very healthy 86%. “Not since 2003's "X2: X-Men United" has this filmmaker tapped so effortlessly into his talent for comicbook gravitas, his ability to mine emotional resonance, pop poetry and (crucially) sly humor…” wrote Variety’s Justin Chang. 

Continue reading: 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Navigates Complicated Plot And Entertains, Say Critics

X-Men: Days of Future Past co-stars, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender appeared on BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and Jackman gave away a very funny Fassbender fact.

Hugh Jackman revealed he would play "Blurred Lines" to "coax" Fassbender out of his trailer

The three hunky actors looked sharp and similar, dressed in smart suits while they chatted to talk show host, Graham Norton. Jovially, Jackman told Norton, “Michael is one of those actors you have to coax out the trailer,” adding, “to get him out there was really only one song…so I used to get the sound guy to play it very loud in the studio as he came in, just so he could get his mojo up.”

Continue reading: Jackman, Fassbender And McAvoy Dance To "Blurred Lines" On "Graham Norton Show"

Fox has released the X-Men: Days of Future Past behind-the-scenes featurette as it prepares its promotional material ahead of the movie's release on May 23. Mainly featuring Bryan Singer explaining his reasons for getting back into the director's chair for the latest entry in the long-running superhero series, the new clip also features some pretty neat looking footage from the blockbuster.

Ian McKellen in X-Men: Days of Future Past

Singer's first two movies starring Hugh Jackman paved the way for the younger cast (McAvoy, Fassbender, Lawrence etc) to take a hold of the franchise, though the filmmaker is delighted to be forging both teams together for Days of Future Past.

Continue reading: Inside 'Days Of Future Past', "Now I Really Feel I'm Making An X-Men Movie"

Nice Work, 'Noah': Darren Aronofsky's latest epic, Noah, was released last weekend and managed to triumph at its debut box office with $44 million, despite all the negative publicity regarding religious condemnation and middling reviews. Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson, Noah is based on the well-known Genesis tale but is given a pump of testosterone with the Black Swan director's dramatic CGI marvel. Check out the trailer.

Empire Film Awards: Emma Thompson and James McAvoy were the big winners at this year's Empire Film Awards, taking home trophies in their respective acting categories for Saving Mr. Banks and Filth. Space thriller Gravity and the fantasy sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug were the evening's most-awarded movies with Simon Pegg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sally Hawkins, Tom Cruise, Hugh Jackman, Steve Coogan and Margot Robbie also honoured for a smashing year in film. Find the full list of winners here.

Continue reading: A Week In News: 'Noah' Conjures A Box Office Miracle, Glastonbury Line-Up Revealed, And 'How I Met Your Mother' Bids Farewell

Some of the biggest names in film were out last night for the Jameson Empire Film Awards, which saw the year's biggest and best movies awarded for a storming year in filmmaking. Voted for by the public, the awards presented a somewhat different picture of the last year in film than most of the other big awards ceremonies have done so far.

It Was An Evening Of Triump For Emma Thompson, Who Was Awarded Best Actress.

Space thriller Gravity and the fantasy sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug were the evening's biggest winners with the former winning Best Film and Best Director for Alfonso Cuarón whilst the latter picked up Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Best Male Newcomer for Aiden Turner, AKA Kili. Saving Mr, Banks star Emma Thompson and Filth actor James McAvoy took home the respective male and female acting awards, according to the movie magazine.

Continue reading: Empire Film Awards: James McAvoy, Emma Thompson, 'Gravity,' And 'The Hobbit' Take Home The Silver

This year’s British Independent Film Awards honored world-renowned Hollywood actors and actresses, as well as small, independent productions and rising stars, from James McAvoy and Julie Walters, to newcomers like The Shell’s Chloe Pirrie.

Lindsay Duncan and James McAvoy won for best actress and actor, respectively.

Some of the winners included Blue Is The Warmest Color (Best International Independent Film), Filth and Le Week-end, but with three awards in total, Sean Ellis’ Metro Manila was by far the most successful. The film won for Best Achievement in Production, Best Director and the top honor of the night, Best British Independent Film.Click here to check out the full review of Metro Manila.

Continue reading: "Metro Manila", Lindsay Duncan And James McAvoy - The Big Winners Of The British Independent Film Awards 2013

Following a nastily short, nevertheless exciting, six-second teaser trailer released last week, we finally have a longer trailer to whet our comic book appetites. The emotive, epic trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past sets out the story, which sees two generations of X-Men required to stop a war before it begins.

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine faces a difficult task

Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen and Hugh Jackman reprise their roles; the latter being the conduit on which the film’s plot is based. He must wake up in his younger body, and find a young Professor Charles Xavier and “guide him, have patience with him.”

Continue reading: 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past,' Different Generations Of Superheroes Combine [Trailer + Pictures]

Filmmaker Bryan Singer has released the first clip from his anticipated X-Men sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past - a few seconds of footage featuring Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Patrick Stewart's Professor Charles Xavier.

Days of Future Past - due out in May 2014 - follows on from Matthew Vaughn's 2011 prequel X-Men: First Class which chronicled the superheroes' origins in the 1960s.

The new movie - which stars James McAvoy as the young Xavier, Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender as Magnet, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Anna Paquin as Rogue and Halle Berry as Storm, is adapted from one of the comic book story lines conceived by Claremont. 

Continue reading: Will 'X-Men: Days Of Future' Past Energize Or Kill Off The Franchise?

X-Men: Days of Future Past won't be out until May next year, but after you see the first trailer for it you'll wish that you could jump forward and dive right into it now. In it, we get our first real glimpse at our mutant heroes and villains, from past and future, who must bend the space time continuum to make the future a better day for mutants throughout the Marvel Universe.

The past (McAvoy) and present (Stewart) Xaviers meet face to face in the trailer

Based on the much lauded and incredibly popular (if you happen to be into comic books at least) 'Days of Future Past' storyline from the Uncanny X-Men, the move will unite the characters from the first X-Men movies with those from 2011's X-Men: First Class, with the present day X-Men having to go back in time to prevent the ongoing war against mutants, who are being hunted down by the robotic Sentinels. Are you still with us? Good, because it gets even more complicated.

Continue reading: First Official Trailer For 'X Men: Days Of Future Past' Hints At Herculean Heroism In What Could Be The Next Great Comic Book Movie [Trailer]

Two big British films hit UK cinemas this week. After storming the Scottish box office last weekend and garnering rave reviews across the board, Filth arrives in the rest of the country this week. Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting), the Edinburgh black comedy stars  in a career-redefining role as a deeply nasty cop. Read our 'Filth' review here.

Meanwhile, Saoirse Ronan stars in the introspective thriller How I Live Now, set in a present-day Britain that's engulfed in war. Opening in the UK this weekend and in America next month, the film is directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), and the cast includes rising stars George MacKay (Hunky Dory) and Tom Holland (The Impossible). We gave the film 4/5 you can read the 'How I Live Now' review here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Big Films Hit Britain, New York Premieres For Hanks And The Coens, Statham Fights Back

Filth is the James McAvoy-starring movie adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel of the same name, about a debauched police officer scheming his way through life. Starring as Dt. Bruce Robertson, McAvoy snorts and shags his way through the night, and lies and cheats his way to the top during the day. It is a gritty subject and one that has been both applauded and abhorred by opposing critics.

McAvoy tries to climb the white ladder to success

Robertson is a devious and emotionally unstable fellow, indulging in sordid sexual activities and dabbling in as many drugs he can get his get his nostrils on. When he is on duty, his actions hardly change, only when he is there he has his eyes on the lucrative promotion to Detective Sergeant, and will stop at nothing to ensure he gets what he wants. Whilst struggling with an unpredictable bipolar disorder and desperate to resolve things with his ex-wife, his mental state becomes increasingly worse as he attempts to keep on top of his lies, whilst also attempting to get to the bottom of a murder case with as little effort as posible.

Continue reading: McAvoy Shines, But Is He Bright Enough To Save 'Filth'? - Review Round-Up

With his role in Filth, James McAvoy is a liberated man. His talents have been celebrated, both on the screen and on stage, and with a wave of critical praise pushing him forward, he’s ready to take on even the most challenging and controversial of roles, even that of Jimmy Savile.

McAvoy in Welcome to The Punch.

Irvine Welsh, who wrote the book on which McAvoy’s film is adapted from, also penned the 1996 collection, Ecstasy. One of the stories from that collected, entitled Lorraine Goes to Livingston, sees Freddy Royle - a fictitious children's TV presenter who turns out to be a child molester.

Continue reading: Riding High - James McAvoy Will Take On Any Role, Even Jimmy Savile

James McAvoy continues to assert himself as one of the finer actors of his generation. In his new film, Filth – one of Irvine Welsh’s fruitier novels – fans of the Scottish actor might just have their nerve tested as he indulges in possibly the worst (and best) character created by the Trainspotting author.

McAvoy in Welcome to The Punch.

Bruce Robertson, as you’ll see in the trailer below, is a narcotic-infused, alcohol-swilling, nymphomaniac party-beast who also happens to be a part of Edinburgh’s police force. He’s PC Bruce Robinson, but he isn’t politically correct, not one bit.

Continue reading: Just How Filthy Is Filth? James McAvoy Reveals All

Marion Cotillard has been chosen to bring some Gallic glamour to one of Scotland's most malevolent (fictional) characters in the latest big screen adaption of William Shakespeare's MacBeth. The Oscar-winning actress is set to star along German/Irish actor Michael Fassbender, who will be taking on the titular role, under the direction of Snowtown's Justin Kurzel, The Hollywood Reporter first revealed.

Marion Cotillard will replace fellow Oscar-winner Natalie Portman in the latest adaption of 'The Scottish Play'

Distributed through StudioCanal and Film4, the latest rendition of the classic Shakespearean tragedy is being produced by The King's Speech backers Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, who run the production house See Saw. Which happens to be the same company that worked on the Fassbender-starring Shame. No further details of the film have been released just yet, so it is still unknown who Cotillard and Fassbender will be starring alongside when filming begins in January 2014.

Continue reading: Marion Cotillard Lined-Up For Lady MacBeth Role In Upcoming Film Adaption

The X-Men stars who were present at this year's monumental Comic-Con included writers Simon Kinberg and Omar Sy, as well as Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, director Bryan Singer, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicolas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Evan Peters, with producers Lauren Shula Donner and Hutch Parker.

Hugh Jackman: Always Ready To Break Into Song.

Hugh Jackman, AKA Wolverine, took centre stage as arguably the most memorable and distinctive character in the long-running franchise. Describing his role as Wolverine as "the job that has defined [his]career...every day [he's] grateful," he added "I thank my lucky stars" before he and X-Men director Bryan Singer engaged in a spot of snuggling.

Continue reading: X-Men At Comic-Con 2013: 'Wolverine The Musical', The Dinklage Hair & "Hideous" 70s Clothes

It might seem like James Franco has been in almost every movie this year and with so much success, what better way to knock the actor/director/producer/writer/poet/we’re-probably missing-something-here down a peg than with a good old fashion roast? Franco made the announcement via Instagram video last night. “Hey y’all. I’m gonna get roasted on Comedy Central,” the Spring Breakers actor deadpans in the video. ”Be sure to check it out. They wanted me to tell you that. Alright.”

James Franco has been on a winning streak this year.

The roast, which already has its own twitter hashtag (#francoroast, how creative) will be filmed in August and is set to air on Labor Day, according to the Comedy Central website. It will be produced by Miles Levy and Joel Gallen, who also worked on the roasts of Rosanne Barr, Charlie Sheen, and Donald Trump, as well as the Emmy®-nominated Comedy Central Roast Of William Shatner. It’s safe to say that these people know how to make fun of celebrities.

Continue reading: The Ultimate Compliment? James Franco To Be Roasted On Comedy Central

Say goodbye to “Shameless” – everyone else has, in one massive final blowout – in other words, a final episode to remember. The series is Channel 4’s longest runner, but this past season hasn’t exactly been its peak year. Having opened with a 1.7 million viewership, the rest of the season averaged just over a million for each episode, clearly hobbling on its last leg.

Shameless hit a ratings peak during its fourth series in early 2007, attracting up to 3.5 million viewers and a near 20% share for the early episodes of that run. However, according to the Guardian, this peak may have had something to do with Shameless following directly after Big Brother for that season. Whatever the case may be, the Channel 4 drama is no longer reeling in the viewers like it used to.

The final episode aired this Tuesday at 10, following the documentary Edward VIII: the Lion King, which averaged 800,000 viewers and a 3.2% share. Nevertheless, the drama had quite an impressive run – not only in terms of ratings, but also critical appeal. The series, chronicling the Gallaghers’ dysfunctional (to say the least) life helped launch the careers of stars like Anne-Marie Duff, James McAvoy and Maxine Peake. And with last night’s episode getting consistently good reviews, it looks like the drama is definitely going out on a high note.

Continue reading: Channel 4 Sees Off "Shameless" In Last Ever Episode

The big global release this week is the comedy pastiche The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey and Alan Arkin as Las Vegas musicians in a battle between old-school illusions and street-magic stunts. Warm and funny, it's also just as silly as you think it'll be.

In between performances as Macbeth on London's West End stage, James McAvoy has been out promoting his new film Welcome to the Punch, an unusually glossy cop thriller set in East London. The film opens this weekend in the UK. Speaking to Contactmusic, he talks about how making action movies is a breeze, and why he prefers to work in Britain if he has the chance. Until a new X-men movie comes up, that is.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies:Carell, Buscemi And Carrey Get Magical, Danny Boyle Back With Ewan McGregor And A First Glimpse Of Bling Ring

The Welcome To The Punch trailer has hit, giving us a sneak peak into the gritty crime thriller, starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong and Andrea Riseborough. The Eran Creevy-directed film is set to hit Cinemas on March 15th.

Creevy recently spoke to BANG Showbiz at a Gala Screening of the film at the Vue Cinema in London's Leicester Square. He stated he was inspired by the numerous action films to come out of Hong Kong when writing and directing the British thriller. “I think [the film is] inspired by a love of Hong Kong action cinema, such as films by John Woo and 'The Killer', and I think what sets it out [from other British action films] is it's more aspirational,” he explains. “It's kind of a very glossy looking American style thriller, but shot in this country. It's very London-centric, with the London cast and the city as a backdrop in the movie. I think hopefully that an audience will take it as a good, fun, exciting action movie.” Featuring some stellar actors – Trainspotting’s Peter Mullan and London To Brighton’s John Harris in particular – Creevy is proud of the film’s cast, and worked hard to get them. He said: ''They're the some of the best actors of their generation. And you just always aim high when you cast and we got as best as we could. It was great.”

Continue reading: 'Welcome To The Punch' Trailer Drops (Video)

It's Oscar weekend, so the stars are converging on Los Angeles for the big night on Sunday. Returning from the premiere of her new film Lovelace at the Berlin Film Festival, Amanda Seyfried was caught by the paparazzi as she landed at the airport to support Les Miserables, which has seven nominations including Best Picture. She signed autographs as she was ushered through the arrivals hall by her aggressive security team.

The press also caught up with Jennifer Lawrence as she made her way through the Los Angeles airport. She's the favourite to win Best Actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook and was also rushed through the arrivals hall while photographers snapped pictures. She managed to sign a few autographs along the way, and one of her minders can be seen putting her luggage in the back of her car, including a teddy bear.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Featuring The Oscars Favourites, Owen Wilson And Vince Vaughn Crashing Google And Danny Boyle's Gory Trailer For Trance

The Station Agent actor Peter Dinklage has joined the cast of the latest X-Men movie Days of Future Past. Director Bryan Singer announced the news on Wednesday (February 13, 2013), tweeting, "Officially like to welcome Peter Dinklage from Game Of Thrones to XMEN Days of Future Past. Very very excited!"

The casting of Dinklage is a strong move from Singer and the team - he won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes in 2012 for his role as Tyrion Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones. It's yet to be determined which role he will play in the forthcoming X-Men movie, which is co-written by Matthew Vaughan, the director of the previous movie. The franchise has spawned five movies so far, including the 2009 Wolverine spin-off. A follow-up to that film, The Wolverine, is due out this summer with Hugh Jackman's character travelling to Japan to train with a Samurai warrior. 

Peter Dinklage Has Signed On For Bryan Singer's X:Men: Days Of Future Past

Continue reading: Peter Dinklage Signs On For X-Men Movie 'Days Of Future Past'

James McAvoy is set to star as the ill-fated eponymous character of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. 

The 'Atonement' star will play the part of the theatrical crazed King in the new production directed by Jamie Lloyd at the new Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall, London now to be known as Traf Transformed. It is set to run from February 9th until  April 27th 2013 and the Scottish actor has recently told the Daily Mail that he is glad to have the opportunity before he hit his forties because he doesn't want to be 'too old' to play him in future despite the fact that Patrick Stewart once portrayed the actor in his 60s. 'I don't think there's any age he has to be, but in my mind he's a captain of men and doing the fighting', he said. 'He's someone who has recently found out what it's like to rip someone's head off, stick it on a pike and stick it on a castle, and that sounds to me like a young man's game.'

He went on to summarise: 'Whenever I see Macbeth he's 40-plus. Anyway, my point is that I've always wanted to play him, and I've always wanted to do it before I hit my 40s.'

James McAvoy is returning to the stage for the first time since 2009, to play the lead role in The Scottish Play. We’re not sure if it’s bad luck to type the real name of the Shakespeare play, or just to say it out loud, so with some trepidation, we confirm, that is Macbeth. James McAvoy will play Macbeth, in Macbeth (hey, in for a penny, in for a pound).

The Atonement star will star in Jamie Lloyd’s production; part of a season of work at Whitehall’s Trafalgar Studios, entitled Trafalgar Transformed. The last time McAvoy was onstage was in the Olivier nominated Three Days of Rain, at the Apollo Theatre, in 2009. According to The Independent, Lloyd’s version of the Shakesperian classic will be set in a “dystopian Scotland brutalised by war” and will depict Macbeth’s “tormented struggle for power fuelled by ambition and paranoia under a toxic fog.” In a statement, Lloyd said “We hope to welcome new and diverse audiences to the West End and I am very excited to engage with schools and other groups via a series of bespoke workshops and masterclasses.”

Tickets for Monday performances with be priced at £15. Half of those tickets will be made available via an outreach scheme aimed at school pupils and first-time theatre goers. In addition to this, all daytime performances will be available for £10 per ticket, for Tuesday to Saturday.

A specially painted Air New Zealand plane jetted around the world this week, collecting cast and crew to attend the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Wednesday. Wellington was renamed "The Middle of Middle-Earth" for the day, and the red carpet event was attended by Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, franchise guru Peter Jackson and more than 100,000 fans.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Feat: The Hobbit, Helena Bonham Carter, Rise Of The Guardians, Ray Liotta, Ian McKellen, Jack The Giant Slayer And More!