James McAvoy was reportedly attacked by a stranger while out in a Toronto bar.
According to a report from People, published on Tuesday, September 9, McAvoy, 46, was in town for the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of his directorial debut, California Schemin’, when he was allegedly “sucker-punched” inside Charlotte’s Room bar.
The outlet reported that the alleged attack occurred at “about 11:55 p.m.” on Monday, September 8, when the Split actor was enjoying “a quiet night” before being “caught off guard.”
Us Weekly has reached out to McAvoy for comment.
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Sources close to McAvoy told the outlet that the actor was in the bar with producers of his new film. “He [McAvoy] later learned when speaking with the staff, there was a man who drank too much who was getting escorted out,” the insider told the outlet before adding that “James’ back was to him and the man just punched him.”
The source also alleged that McAvoy “laughed off the incident with patrons and the staff” before remaining in the bar.
Prior to the alleged incident, McAvoy attended several Toronto International Film Festival events, one of which alongside wife Lisa Liberati. The pair smiled as they posed for photos together at the Chanel & Variety Women in Film dinner at Soho House Toronto on Saturday, September 6.
One day later, McAvoy attended both a Deadline Studio session and a Hollywood Reporter TIFF Studio session alongside fellow California Schemin’ cast members Seamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley, Lucy Halliday and Rebekah Murrell. (McAvoy directs and stars in the film, which is yet to receive an American release date.)
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California Schemin’ is centered on two Scottish men who pretend to be an established rap duo until the scam is unintentionally unveiled, per IMDb.
Liberati, who married McAvoy in 2022 after he finalized his divorce from first wife Anne-Marie Duff in 2016, publicly supported her husband’s film achievements just a few months prior to the annual Toronto film event. (Liberati and McAvoy share one child whose name has not been publicly disclosed. McAvoy also shares son Brendan, 15, with Duff.)
In February, Liberati, a fellow actress, joined McAvoy on the red carpet at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards. The pair beamed for the cameras, matching in elegant all-black ensembles, as McAvoy held an arm around Liberati’s waist.
