In a recent appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, James McAvoy shared an amusing and rather shocking insight into his residual income from acting. The Golden Globe nominee revealed that his only consistent source of residuals comes from his 2017 film “Split.” While discussing his earnings, McAvoy noted that, apart from “Split,” he “very rarely” receives any meaningful checks from his other film projects.
Check Sizes and Surprises
According to McAvoy, residuals checks can be quite meager. He humorously stated, “You get the odd check for a couple hundred quid here. Sometimes you get checks for, like, 25 cents.” This stark contrast highlights the unpredictable nature of residuals in the film industry.
The Success of “Split”
When commenting on why “Split” continues to yield substantial residuals, McAvoy explained, “It was made for $6 million or something like that. I’d say they spent $30 [million] advertising it. Our first weekend, we made $40 [million], so we made profit.” He recalled that the first residuals check arrived shortly after the film’s opening weekend, calling the quick return on investment “bonkers.” The film’s success, he attributes in part to the “super smart” direction of M. Night Shyamalan.
Acknowledging Recognition in the Industry
While there was significant buzz surrounding his performance as a character with 24 personalities in “Split,” McAvoy did not receive nominations for major industry awards. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “I got this bar of gold bullion, and I crafted my own and had a ceremony for it,” while also expressing that he wasn’t “particularly” surprised by the lack of recognition. “I didn’t think it would get welcomed into that sphere much,” he explained, citing a longstanding trend of horror performances receiving limited acknowledgment in awards seasons.
Discussion on Representation in Awards Shows
McAvoy voiced his larger concerns about the representation of horror performances in award recognitions, noting, “For the amount of good work that’s done in that field, I still don’t see enough representation of that good work.” He commented on the quality of projects that tend to garner accolades, suggesting there are many outstanding performances that remain “not part of the club.”
Commending Recent Performances
In the podcast, McAvoy also praised the recent critical attention for a project titled “Obsession,” particularly highlighting lead actress Inde Navarrette’s performance. He noted her ability to transition seamlessly during intense moments, likening her unsettling performance to his own multifaceted role in “Split.” “The psychological right angle she’s capable of in that film is disturbing in itself,” he stated, emphasizing the dexterous nature of her acting.
Upcoming Promotions and Anecdotes
Alongside discussing his residuals, McAvoy has been busy promoting his latest film “California Schemin’” and made headlines for recounting a story about an on-set feud during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live.” He recalled how one co-star bullied him during filming, which added a light-hearted yet surprising moment to his promotional tour.
