James McAvoy names the most professional actor he’s ever worked with
Reflecting on elements that have brought him success, James McAvoy once declared that, when it comes to work, “I pride myself in being very professional”. Now, you may think that goes without saying – surely most people in any industry take pride in being as conscientious and hard-working as possible? Well, according to McAvoy, “It’s actually not always the case,” he said. “There are a lot of people who have a very self-harming, dysfunctional relationship with acting.” Thankfully, on the set of Victor Frankenstein, McAvoy met a kindred spirit, an artist who turned out to be even more professional than him.
When McAvoy signed on to play the titular mad scientist in the film, the unique selling point was that the story would be told from the perspective of Igor, his hunchbacked assistant. It was a neat spin on a tale audiences have become very familiar with over the years, and this convinced Daniel Radcliffe – then in the early stages of forging a career outside of Harry Potter – to sign on opposite McAvoy.
Radcliffe explained that he loved how the film was a big action-adventure movie, but with “a really interesting relationship story between these two guys that’s quite a toxic relationship in some ways. They’re both essential to each other, but I get damaged by him at times.” Mercifully, the toxicness of Frankenstein and Igor’s on-screen relationship didn’t transfer to the working relationship between McAvoy and Radcliffe. Instead, they bonded over their similar work ethics.
Radcliffe explained that both he and McAvoy take their jobs seriously but also realise, “We’re not saving lives – it is about having fun,” he said. “We’re lucky that we get to work in an industry where we can have a lot of fun while doing our jobs.” McAvoy then doubled down on the love-in by saying, “Daniel is the most professional actor I’ve ever worked with in my life. I’m quite a professional actor, and I pride myself in being very professional, but to be like, ‘Wow, I’m learning from him.’ That was kind of nuts.”
McAvoy explained that he was taken aback by Radcliffe’s enthusiasm for the work and marvelled at how much of a pro he was despite being a decade younger than the Scottish star. He gushed: “Actually, you’re way more experienced than I am and hugely professional; way more professional than some people I’ve worked with who have been in the business for 40 years. It’s nuts. It’s to be admired. We love each other!”
In some ways, McAvoy was charmed by Radcliffe’s healthy attitude toward acting – especially from someone who has been famous from childhood. He compared the Miracle Workers star to other people he’s encountered in the business who seem to struggle with acting, explaining, “It’s not good for them. They don’t like it. It makes them feel horrible. They want to hurt themselves and hate everybody for making them do it. Yet they’re really successful and have been doing it for a long time. Whereas what’s really cool about Daniel is, ‘This is our job. We’re good at it, really enjoy doing it. Yes, some days are harder than others and some days aren’t fun. But that’s life.'”
