Speak No Evil Star James McAvoy Reveals He Was Offered ‘A Ton of Money’ For THIS Harry Potter Role; Find Out

by

As an ardent admirer of James McAvoy’s illustrious career, I find myself both captivated and inspired by his remarkable journey. The tale of his near-brush with the magical world of Harry Potter serves as a testament to the power of making calculated decisions in one’s life.

Recently, James McAvoy shared that he was given a substantial offer to join the Harry Potter franchise at the start of his acting career. However, he decided against it and opted for steadier roles in his younger acting years instead.

McAvoy Discusses Missed Opportunity in Harry Potter Franchise

In an episode of Happy Sad Confused podcast on September 13, while promoting his new movie Speak No Evil, McAvoy revealed that he almost landed a role in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. When asked about potential future roles in Hogwarts or Star Wars, he reminisced, “I believe it was the first film – wasn’t it Tom Riddle in the first one?” McAvoy explained that he tried out for a minor role in a flashback sequence and received a contract deal. This deal, worth approximately £40,000, was substantial for the aspiring actor at the time.

Turning Down the Offer and Finding His Path

McAvoy’s agent, Ruth Young, discouraged him from accepting a lucrative offer because it contained a retainer clause, which meant he wouldn’t be able to work for roughly seven months. McAvoy explained this as the producers wanting to “hold” them (him and potentially others) and keep them on standby for future selection. Instead, he opted for a different role in a play that paid him £275 per week. Looking back on this decision, McAvoy considered it a significant milestone in his acting career, stating, “It was part of my shaping as an actor, and I was able to secure acting work. I was learning and gaining experience.

No Interest in Returning to the Wizarding World

When Josh Horowitz playfully suggested that McAvoy might try out for the main part in the upcoming HBO’s Harry Potter series, the actor seemed indifferent about it. He stated, “I’m not sure if there’s anything I haven’t already tackled with my previous roles.” Although McAvoy expressed an interest in taking on more sci-fi and comedic roles, he appeared satisfied with his current career path, as he has successfully added humor to roles that weren’t originally humorous.

Read More

2024-09-14 11:22