James McAvoy has made his directorial debut with the film California Schemin’. The movie tells the incredible true story of Silibil ‘N’ Brains, a rap duo from Dundee, Scotland, who pretended to be American to get a record deal—a plan that ultimately fell apart.
Samuel Bottomley and Seamus McLean Ross star as aspiring rappers Billy Boyd and Gavin Bain in the film. The cast and crew celebrated the movie’s first showing at a premiere event outside the Glasgow Film Theatre during the closing night of the 22nd Glasgow Film Festival.
James McAvoy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to help bring this Scottish story to the big screen. He said, “I feel very fortunate to be a part of this.” He also highlighted the hard work and perseverance it took to get the film made, explaining, “It took a lot to get here and tell the story of two talented, determined Scotsmen who were told their accents weren’t right.”
James McAvoy premiered his first film as a director, ‘CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’’, at the Glasgow Film Festival. (Photo)
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) March 8, 2026
Wow, hearing James McAvoy talk about directing for the first time was really interesting. He said it was an incredibly intense experience – tough, not always fun, but ultimately super rewarding. He really felt like it was worth it, and he was so happy to work with the young actors in the film. He seemed genuinely grateful for the chance to collaborate with them, which is awesome to hear!
Director Bottomley emphasized the heartfelt nature of the film, describing it as a story about human connection. He explained, “It’s fundamentally about love and friendship—love for hip-hop, but more importantly, the love these characters have for one another.”
Actress Lucy Halliday added that the film feels like a welcome change for Scottish cinema. “It’s a type of Scottish film we haven’t seen before,” she said. “We’re used to seeing tough, realistic police dramas, which are good, but this movie is genuinely fun.”
Rebekah Murrell, who plays Tessa, explained how James McAvoy helped the cast understand the film’s vibe. He described it as a mix of the energy of 8 Mile and the humor of Superbad.
Murrell also complimented the entire production team, saying they all worked together seamlessly. McAvoy himself is a well-known actor, recently earning praise for his performance in the 2024 horror film Speak No Evil.
Beyond directing, he’s known as one of the UK’s most talented actors, with roles in films like X-Men and Atonement, and the His Dark Materials TV series. Now, fans are curious to see if this first time directing will lead to more projects for him behind the camera.
Later this year, more people will have a chance to see the film California Schemin’ after its successful run at film festivals. Director James McAvoy has brilliantly highlighted a unique and very Scottish story, preserving a piece of Dundee’s musical past that might have been lost to those outside the area. Many critics believe McAvoy’s move into directing feels like a natural next step for someone with decades of experience in the film industry, and excitement around the project is building as the Glasgow Film Festival wraps up.
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2026-03-09 14:47