James McAvoy Shares a Special Moment Reciting Macbeth with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen on the Set of X-Men: Days of Future Past

James McAvoy; Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart.
Credit:

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty; Andreas Rentz/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• James McAvoy revealed at New York Comic Con that he recited Macbeth lines with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen on the set of 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past .
• The actor recalled that he watched Stewart and McKellen exchange favorite lines from Macbeth, while he struggled to remember the lines himself.
• McAvoy expressed that he felt “lucky” to hang out with Stewart, noting he was “one of the few members of the two casts who really got to do that.”

James McAvoy offered a glimpse into his unique experience bonding with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen during the filming of X-Men: Days of Future Past. Speaking at New York Comic Con, the actor shared that he spent an afternoon with the two seasoned performers, who portrayed Professor X and Magneto, respectively, in the franchise’s earlier films.

Reflecting on the day, McAvoy recounted entering the trailer while getting hair extensions. “I think Patrick was cooking and Sir Ian was sitting with his feet up in the recliner,” he recalled. Just two weeks after finishing a stage run of Macbeth in London, McAvoy found himself in an unexpected impromptu performance. “Ian said, ‘You’ve just come off the stage, James. You’ve just done Macbeth, haven’t you? Come on, let’s all do a bit.’”

From left: Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, and Ian McKellen at the London premiere of ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ in 2014.

Julian Parker/UK Press via Gett

Though McAvoy had just concluded his role in Macbeth, he admitted he struggled to recall any lines at that moment. “I couldn’t remember a single line, and these two are like banging back and forward [their] favorite bits from Macbeth,” he shared. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ It’s just a different kind of actor, a different kind of machine.”

Ian McKellen (left) and Patrick Stewart in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ (2014).

20th Century Fox/Marvel Entertainment/Dune Entertainment/Bad Hat Harry/Marv Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

McAvoy also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet and work with the cast of earlier X-Men films. He felt fortunate, alongside co-star Michael Fassbender, to partake in a unique “crossover” experience that few others from the current cast enjoyed. Original X-Men stars Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, and Anna Paquin also reunited for X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The partnership and lighthearted rivalry between McAvoy and Stewart have continued to evolve since their time portraying Professor X. When asked about the most meaningful interactions with fans, McAvoy quipped, “When they tell me that I was better than Patrick, that means so much. It really resonates with me.”

Stewart has also playfully joked about his colleague, previously noting that he respects McAvoy as a remarkable talent. In a past appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Stewart remarked on an amusing exchange where he asked how it feels to step into his shoes, leading McAvoy to reply, “I’ll bury him.” To which Stewart responded with a grin, “Good man. Yes, I vote for that. He’s outstanding.”