Actor was reportedly punched by drunk patron in Toronto bar but laughed off the incident

James McAvoy was reportedly assaulted in a Toronto bar while in the city to promote his first film as a director.

The 46-year-old Scottish actor, best known for roles in Atonement, Split and the X-Men franchise, was said to have been “sucker punched” by another man while socialising at Charlotte’s Room on Monday evening. The incident took place just two days after the world premiere of his directorial debut, California Schemin’, at the Toronto International Film Festival.

According to People magazine, McAvoy had been enjoying a quiet gathering with his film’s producers when a drunken patron, who was being escorted from the bar by staff, lashed out unexpectedly. “James’s back was to him and the man just punched him,” a source close to the actor said. “He later learned from staff that the man had been drinking heavily and was being removed at the time.”

Entertainment Weekly reported that McAvoy had neither spoken to nor interacted with the assailant beforehand and did nothing to provoke the attack. Witnesses said other patrons immediately intervened, restraining the man until he was taken out of the bar.

Despite the shock of the incident, McAvoy is understood to have remained calm. He reportedly chose to stay at the venue and even made light of the situation with staff and fellow customers. Onlookers described him as “in good spirits” afterwards, laughing off the blow.

Toronto police have not issued a public statement about the altercation, and it is not yet clear if the individual involved will face charges.

McAvoy’s visit to Canada marks an important career milestone. California Schemin’ is his feature-length directorial debut, inspired by the real-life exploits of Scottish rap duo Silibil N’ Brains. In the early 2000s, the pair pretended to be American to secure a lucrative record deal—a story first told in the 2013 documentary The Great Hip-Hop Hoax.

The actor-turned-director has spoken passionately about the project, describing it as a tale of ambition, identity and deception. The premiere in Toronto was well received, with critics noting McAvoy’s boldness in choosing such an unconventional subject for his first outing behind the camera.

McAvoy’s acting career has spanned stage and screen, earning him acclaim for his versatility. He first rose to prominence with Shameless and State of Play before breaking into Hollywood with The Last King of Scotland. His performances in Atonement and Split cemented his reputation as one of the most skilled actors of his generation.

This week’s incident, however, served as a reminder of the unpredictability of public appearances, even in a city used to welcoming international stars during festival season. Bars and restaurants across Toronto have been busy as industry figures celebrate premieres and deals, though incidents of violence are rare.

For McAvoy, the altercation does not appear to have overshadowed his festival triumph. Friends and colleagues have suggested that his unfazed reaction reflects both his resilience and his sense of humour. “He handled it incredibly well,” one insider said. “He wasn’t hurt badly, and he made sure to put everyone else at ease afterwards.”The actor is expected to continue with promotional duties for California Schemin’ as the festival progresses. If anything, his refusal to let the assault disrupt his evening has added to the impression of a man determined to embrace the challenges of his new creative path with characteristic composure