James McAvoy Debuts as Director in New Film California Schemin
James McAvoy is making his directional debut with his new film California Schemin’. The film will star Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross.
Scottish actor James McAvoy has stepped out of the spotlight and is making big moves behind the scenes. He will be directing his new film California Schemin’, his first-ever title as director. The film stars BAFTA-nominated How To Have Sex actor Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross from Outlander: Blood of My Blood. McAvoy will also have a supporting role.
EXCLUSIVE: James McAvoy’s directorial debut has set lead cast and is heading to the Cannes market.
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 6, 2024
McAvoy will take on a supporting role in ‘California Schemin,’ which will be led by Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross https://t.co/3v8U8eUcX5 pic.twitter.com/3S8gMPzLKV
The motion picture focuses on the true story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd. The two men, originally from Scotland, were trying to make waves in the London rap industry. After many unsuccessful attempts due to their Scottish accents, the men decided to masquerade as Americans. Now from San Jacinto, California, they coined the stage name Silibil N’ Brains. Boyd was Silibil, a play on “Silly Bill” and “syllable,” and Bain was Brains McLoud.
With their new, albeit fake, American accents, they were much more popular. They signed a deal with Sony Entertainment UK for two singles and an album. Unfortunately, Sony’s merger and job losses left them unpopular and their first single was pushed back six months. By that time, Boyd was expecting a child with his wife. He left the group and moved back to Scotland and Bain continued to perform as Brains.
He eventually revealed the bluff and filmed The Great Hip Hop Hoax, a documentary on the whole plan.
Sounds like a wild story, can't wait to see how McAvoy spins it.
— Natalie May (@babenataliemay) May 6, 2024
Represented by Bankside and UTA Independent Film Group, California Schemin’ will debut at the Cannes Film Festival. Bankside handles international buyers and sales, while UTA focuses on the U.S.
California Schemin’ is currently in pre-production. They have not started filming, and there is no release date yet. McAvoy is currently filming Control in Germany. McLean Ross is working on Outlander: Blood of My Blood, and Bottomley’s most recent film, How to Have Sex, is available on Prime Video.
