In Pictures: James McAvoy makes directorial debut with faux Scots rapper film

Hollywood star James McAvoy has been spotted filming in Dundee and Glasgow as he makes his directorial debut with a film about a pair of Scottish rappers who pretended to be American.

California Schemin’ will see the Filth star step behind the camera for the first time to tell the true story of Silibil N’ Brains, also known as Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who hid their Dundee heritage in a bid to become rap stars.

Based on the book Straight Outta Scotland by Bain, the film charts the pair’s rise in fame as they maintained the ruse for three years – even going on tour with Eminem.

James Chapelard

James Chapelard

Glaswegian McAvoy said he is “proud” to make his debut telling a Scottish story.

The actor told Deadline: “California Schemin’ is as rooted in the California rap scene of the early 2000s as it is in the working-class Scottish setting where our story begins.”

James Chapelard

James Chapelard

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country