Newsmakers: James McAvoy

Date: December 3, 2007 Publication: Newsweek Country: United States Author: Ramin Setoodeh Excerpt: In "Atonement," James McAvoy steals Keira Knightley's heart, and he'll probably take yours, too. He spoke to Ramin Setoodeh.

The full article... This role spans several years. How did you prepare? I tried to lose weight in between the first and second sections of the film. I lost half a stone. How much is half a stone? I don't know exactly. I think I could tell you right now. I've got scales upstairs. Is it a lot of weight? It's a lot for me. Well, what am I in pounds? I am currently 70 pounds. You're not 70 pounds. Yeah, I am. I think I am. No, that would be dangerous. Oh, really? It's kilograms, then. I'm 70 kilograms. I don't know what I am in pounds. I don't understand pounds. I lost, basically, one twentieth of my weight. Which sounds very unimpressive, but it was f–––ing difficult. How did you lose the weight? I just ran, and ate less. I didn't starve myself. I didn't go all Method actor. Your last three costars were Anne Hathaway, Keira Knightley and Angelina Jolie. Do you only work with hot women? Yeah, I do. No, I don't. It's a weird phenomenon that I can't understand. I'm very lucky. There were reports that Angelina wanted a steamier love scene with you in "Wanted." Our characters have a platonic relationship. Isn't there a love scene? There is a love scene. But it's not steamy? It depends on what floats your boat. [full-link]Read more •[/full-link]