Who is James McAvoy’s wife Lisa Liberati? Actor reportedly sucker punched by random man after attending premiere of movie with family

James McAvoy had quietly married Lisa Liberati in 2022, keeping the milestone out of the public eye.

Liberati works in the fashion industry, and co-founded her fashion brand Encommún, marking a new chapter in her career. Before moving into fashion, she worked closely with filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan for a decade on titles such as Split, Devil and The Visit.

The couple find themselves in the news after James McAvoy was attacked by a stranger in a Toronto bar on September 8. The Scottish actor had been in the city for the premiere of his directorial debut California Schemin’. The incident quickly drew attention, overshadowing what had been an important professional moment for him.

Despite alleged bar attack, James McAvoy kept the night going in Toronto

What began as a quiet night out at Charlotte’s Room in Toronto ended abruptly for James McAvoy when, at 11:55 p.m. on September 8, a man unexpectedly hit him. The Speak No Evil star, caught by surprise, attempted to defuse the situation as others quickly stepped in and escorted the man out, according to People magazine's exclusive report.

“James was having a casual get-together with the producers of his movie and, as he later learned when speaking with the staff, there was a man who drank too much who was getting escorted out, James’ back was to him and the man just punched him.” shared a source.

Despite the jarring moment, James McAvoy did not let the altercation end his night. The source said he stayed at the bar and laughed off the incident with patrons and staff.

James McAvoy opens up about stress and joy of directing debut film

James McAvoy admitted that stepping behind the camera came with its own pressures, but the experience left him energized. The Scottish actor made his directorial debut with California Schemin’, which premiered at TIFF, and told People during an interview that the job was “stressful” yet “amazing.” He explained that,

“It’s the most creative thing I’ve ever done.”

“I’ve loved telling stories as an actor for 30 years. It’s an extension of that, I now love telling stories as a director because I get more tools with which to tell those stories. It was a privilege,” he added.

McAvoy said he hoped his cast and crew saw him as a supportive presence on set.

“Look, I probably fell into all the same traps as every director that I’ve gone like, ‘Dude, what are you doing? Just direct me right.’ There is no ‘right,’ I thought I would have a shorthand with actors after 30 years, and I did to an extent,” he admitted

His approach was rooted in encouragement.

“I want them to give me them. And you can’t tell somebody how to be them, they’re playing a character, but really what I want is them — bare, open, vulnerable … You can’t direct them to that. So you’ve gotta make the space to let them become that,” explained McAvoy.

From the first day of filming, James McAvoy reassured the cast, many of whom were newcomers.

“You are here because I wanted you. You are enough, you are everything that I need, and everything that this film needs is in you. You just have to get the nonsense out of the way,” he told them.

For James McAvoy, California Schemin’ stood out because of its themes.

“I realized I needed to tell a story about a hometown that felt like my hometown, an economic background that felt similar to mine, people who had a lack of opportunities like the people in my neighborhood had … But art can get you beyond them,” he shared.

James McAvoy’s Speak No Evil earns 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, becomes Peacock streaming hit

James McAvoy didn’t shy away from the challenge of starring in a remake just two years after its original release. The actor led Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins, which premiered in 2024 and went on to gross $75 million worldwide before landing on Peacock. Collider reported in December,2024 that the film held an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and quickly drew a large streaming audience.

After the film's success, there was chatter online that James McAvoy was playing a certain type of charcters.

“I don’t mind retreading over old territory,” McAvoy told The Hollywood Reporter.

He added:

“The majority of actors end up playing the same kind of person their entire career … If I have to play the same character a few times in a row … to tell good stories that are different, then I don’t mind that at all.”

The actor said he especially agreed with Watkins’ decision to deviate from Christian Tafdrup’s Danish original. While Tafdrup’s version ended on a bleak note, the remake chose a more optimistic conclusion.

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“The movie can’t validate Paddy by the end, otherwise you’re validating those views, as well, so, anyway, I think the movie had to end in a different way.” McAvoy explained.

Which is McAvoy's best work to date? Sound off in the comments section.

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