James McAvoy has made a big name for himself over recent years with critically acclaimed performances in such films as The Last King of Scotland and Atonement. His new film, Wanted, is quite a change of pace for the popular Scottish actor, being as it is a fast-paced action movie with Angelina Jolie. Here he speaks to ViewLondon’s Matthew Turner about his new film.

Wanted marks a bit of a change of pace from Atonement, doesn't it?
James McAvoy (JM): It's an incredible change of pace, style and everything for me. But that was really why I did it. When I look for something to do, I ask myself is it different? Is it challenging? Does it make me employ a new acting style or a new genre? This satisfied all those things. But I still wasn't certain that it would be anything other than just another action movie that went straight to DVD until I looked at Timur [Bekmambetov]'s previous work and thought it was definitely going to be different. It made me very, very excited.

Did you have any idea what the end product would look like on the screen?
JM: I knew from watching Night Watch and Day Watch that I was very excited and that if Timur did in any way make this film look like them it was going to be something special and more than just an average action movie. Also, the fact that it was so clearly not for all the family was something I've not seen for a little while. I appreciated that because I thought there aren't many superhero movies out there catering for just adults.

Can you talk about the collaborative process with writer Mark Millar because I gather he's very happy with the finished film even though there are some differences?
JM: I didn't meet Mark until half way through the film, so the collaboration process was limited for me. I wish I had met him before because he's lovely and he likes a drink… But the collaborative process started with the first part of the graphic novel, which is very similar in relation to where [my character] Wesley starts. It was trying to establish this sense of complete apathy and post-modern depression. He's got no reason to be so unhappy, really. He's got a decent enough life but for some reason he can't even bring himself to care even about the fact that his girlfriend is having sex with his best friend. That was something that was very evident in the graphic novel, but then it goes in such a different direction.

Angelina Jolie has done a lot of action stuff before. Was she helpful to have as a co-star?
JM: She was great. The thing that I really appreciated from her more than anything else – because she had lots of tips and advice – was that you shouldn't take yourself too seriously. She kind of kept reminding us that if you can't have fun making an action movie, then you shouldn't be making an action movie.

Was there a certain degree of male pride when Angelina's kicking you to a bloody pulp? Did you want to match her?
JM: Oh yeah, totally! I don't think, in that scene, my character tried to swing a punch in the script. But in the film my character says: "I'm going to kick your f***ing arse…" And he swings for her. That was totally added because I felt completely undermined as a man and thought I should try. But I failed to do that and she beat me up even more! But listen, in fight scenes you do two things: you swing punches and you take punches. Swinging punches is fine but for some reason the best part about doing a fight scene is taking a hit and making it look good. I got a lot of satisfaction out of that, so it was kind of the perfect scene for me [laughs].

Was being beaten up by Angelina Jolie one of the strangest things you've been asked to do for a film?
JM: No, the strangest thing I had to do in any film was lie in a pool of hot wax. That was really strange, claustrophobic, uncomfortable and odd. I had an ear infection for about two weeks after.

Is this a genre you'd like to return to?
JM: I think so. But the reason I did this film was to challenge myself and do something different and to see if I could learn something new. So, hopefully the next film I do will be something different again. But if all I get offered is the same thing over and over again, then that's what I'll do.

Is there any truth in the rumour you're set to play Bilbo Baggins, and how does it make you feel that someone thinks you're right to play a hobbit?
JM:[Laughs] Listen, I identify with hobbits more than anyone else. But it's not true, I'm afraid. It's all internet rumouring.