Hollywood actor James McAvoy has confessed he was “put off” directing by the lower pay because he can earn “10 times as much” when he’s in front of the camera.
James McAvoy was “put off” directing by the lower pay because he can earn “10 times as much” when he’s in front of the camera.
The X-Men star made his directorial debut by taking charge of new movie California Schemin’ – which tells the true story of two Scottish rappers who ditch their accents and pretend to be American in a bid for success – and James has admitted he’s wanted to direct for years but the father-of-two was held back by worries about money.
James told The Times newspaper: “I can earn 10 times as much as an actor as I can as a director! That put me off it for a while, and then kids and all that.
“But ultimately it was getting on for 28 years in the business and I was feeling the itch to do something different.”
James went on to insist he’ll never give up acting but he’s keen to expand his career into other areas.
He added: “I love acting. I won’t stop. But I can’t imagine it’s all I’m going to do for the rest of my life.”
The 46-year-old actor has a son, who was born in 2010, with his ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff and he became a father for a second time in 2022 when he welcomed a little boy with his second wife Lisa Liberati – James recently opened up about how his experience of parenting is different now he’s in his 40s.
He told the Guardian: “Having a kid at 42 is definitely easier in some ways. I worry less. I’m a bit more philosophical.
“But it’s also harder, because you’re just older and tireder.”
James also revealed taking on a new job in his 40s by directing California Schemin’ also came with a lot of extra stress which has kept him awake at night.
He explained: “I’m getting all that first-timer stress in my 40s. When we were shooting the film, I’d wake up at 2.30am with the film buzzing in my head. “That’s the time that you work your socks off, burn the midnight oil, run the extra mile – and usually when you’re doing that, you’re in your 20s.”
James McAvoy was ‘put off’ directing by lower pay
