Just thought I'd start this thread because I've read or heard so many people (actors, directors, etc.) say nothing but complimentary, interesting and/or insightful things about James McAvoy, I think that deserves some attention...don't you?
Please, remember to cite your source. Thanks! :-)
Edit: I moved Thomas Kretchmann's quotes to his own sub-heading.
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share"I just think he has the rare ability to completely morph into whatever character he's playing. I think he's one of the most talented actors around at the moment. And he really respects what he does, sees it as a craft and hones it. When you watch him, you watch somebody really working at constantly making it truthful and constantly making it better, and finding it really important to be in film and respecting what he does. There's an incredible integrity to him. He's also incredibly giving as a partner. It's very much about collaboration. It's very much about the company and the team, and about getting the best out of everyone, like Joe Wright is. I think he's completely phenomenal, and it will be very exciting to see what he does."
-Kiera Knightly
The Movie Fanatic
"Stepping Into the Spotlight"
by Deana Martin
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564215/board/reply/112029641
And here's more on James from Kiera:
British actress KEIRA KNIGHTLEY has dismissed reports she is a demanding star by insisting her co-star JAMES McAVOY take the credit for the movie's success.
The 22-year-old insisted on McAvoy landing the top billing on the movie's poster - as she is adamant the big-screen adaptation of Ian McEwan's World War Two-set novel is "his movie".
She says, "I'm just not into that s**t about 'I want my name on top'. I think it's James' movie.
"It's one of the most incredible performances I've seen and there's no way my name should be first. I got very embarrassed by the suggestion. I think James McAvoy is a once-in-a-generation kind of talent."
Plus:
Q: Is it true that Atonement co-star James McAvoy advised you to take a break in the Himalayas?
A: I couldn't really take all the pressure of being followed around (by the paparazzi). I was talking to James McAvoy and his wife Anne-Marie, who are just fantastic. James is this mad adventurer who does all sorts of crazy things. He just said to me that there was a big world out there and I needed to get out of my world and into a bigger one. He suggested trekking in the Himalayas. I just thought, 'why not?' and went. I spent 10 days in a place where no one knew me or cared what films I'd been in.
Keira Knightley, Dolce Vita, Winter 2007
Here are some nice quotes from Ian McEwan and Giles Foden:
The author Ian McEwan studied McAvoy last July while the Scot was working on the dramatisation of McEwan's novel Atonement, which is to be released later this year. They chatted on set over a bacon sandwich. "He's a very gifted young man, extremely personable on set, enormous charm - a brilliant lack of pretension for someone so hot," McEwan recalled.
Giles Foden, another novelist who has seen McAvoy in action - during the filming of Foden's book The Last King of Scotland - and who is now a friend and near neighbour, says McAvoy is indefatigable. "He will keep trying until he gets it right. People talk a lot about Forest Whitaker's performance in Last King of Scotland, for which he won an Oscar, but as Whitaker readily acknowledges, that wouldn't have been possible without James as a foil. James is in nearly every scene and is in many ways carrying the narrative of that movie, so as a sheer physical feat, it was pretty amazing. He's tough."
Foden believes another side to McAvoy is emerging: an actor with a sharp intellect. As one interviewer noted: "It's impossible to spend an hour in James McAvoy's company without being humbled by his brain."
Love that last quote!
Kids don't like eating at school, but with a Remains of the Day lunchbox they're a lot happier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2pQ0EwQ8E
I LOVE THIS.
When James says "he's fighting a bigger war inside himself than the war that's going on around him. He's fighting a war for his soul, you know? He's trying to save his soul." ...and his voice catches and almost breaks...I almost started crying.
It's very short...but I thought I should put it up on this thread as Nonso Anozie, Joe Wright, Ian McEwan and Paul Webster all say wonderful things about how exceptional James is.
Just wanted to add this Kiera Knightly one but didn't want to keep adding onto the last post.
Q: Your chemistry with James McAvoy was very intense.
A: Yeah, he's wonderful. I didn't know him very well, but we worked very well together and I've worked with his wife (actress Anne-Marie Duff). Chemistry is always a funny thing. Sometimes you get along great, but it doesn't translate to the screen. Other times you don't get along, and it's fine on screen. But I totally love James. He's a sensational actor and a lovely guy.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_/ai_n21166108
Thanks for the clip, Nezray2001. What I love best about it is James laying back in the grass just 'laxing. I can see myself there with him; drinking some Rum cocktail, just kicking like friends.
Sounds crazy, but that's why I'm in awe of him too. He seems and feels like....us.
"GG."