James McAvoy (43) has been a sought-after actor in recent years - for example in several "X-Men" films or in series like "His Dark Materials". But now the Briton would like to shift down a gear, as he indicated in an interview with the British Sunday newspaper "The Observer".
Why is he taking a slower approach to business after around two decades of hard work? "Because I'm old," McAvoy replies with a grin. He worked a lot as an actor and loved it, "but I don't want to live to work".
The industry is great and has given him a great life, but it is based "on the self-sacrificing nature of the performance. The film or TV industry, they just use you up".
24 hours on set
McAvoy has already put in 24-hour shifts several times. Then you ask yourself how that could even be legal. He doesn't want to end up like Bill Murray's (72) character in "Lost in Translation" - basically a busy actor estranged from his wife and children.
McAvoy recently got to a point where he had to ask himself whether he wanted to continue climbing the career ladder or just enjoy acting and take a step back. "You have to slow down a bit," he summarizes.
The actor is said to have become the father of a boy again not too long ago - which could explain why he wanted to switch gears is speculated in the published interview. McAvoy has not yet commented on this.
At the beginning of the year he at least confirmed to the "Guardian" that he had married his partner Lisa Liberati. He was previously married to his colleague Anne-Marie Duff (52), with whom he has a son.
It's just not possible to be present as a family member when you're making films every week and month of the year, says McAvoy.
It's different in the theater. As an actor, you are more available there, at least during the day, even if you are on stage maybe six days a week in the evening. Film and TV drains you, but it's also a joy for him and he loves it: "But I can't spend all my days on set."
