James McAvoy’s Surprising Encounter With Stephen King’s Creative Process

Stephen King’s name is practically synonymous with modern pop culture. His stories have leapt from the page to the big screen more than almost any other author’s, captivating audiences with their blend of horror, suspense, and the supernatural. In 2025 alone, three of his tales were adapted into major films. First came the chilling horror-comedy The Monkey, starring Theo James and a sinister toy monkey at the center of the chaos. Next up was The Long Walk, a dystopian thriller reminiscent of The Hunger Games, where a group of boys must keep walking until only one remains. Rounding out the trio was The Running Man, a high-octane adaptation of King’s 1982 novel, originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. This latest version, directed by Edgar Wright and featuring Glen Powell and Lee Pace, brought a fresh energy to the story once led by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. King’s influence stretches far beyond the written word, making him a true icon for both readers and moviegoers.

James McAvoy Meets His Literary Idol

Among King’s many admirers is James McAvoy, who openly describes himself as a huge fan. When McAvoy landed a role in It: Chapter Two, he finally had the chance to meet the author he’d long admired. The actor, known for his work in Speak No Evil, was eager to glean some wisdom from the mind behind so many unforgettable stories. Reflecting on the experience, McAvoy said,

“It was pretty awesome, as a fan of his and a fan of many of his books. And a lot of his books actually cross-pollinate as well, with characters and themes showing up, and realms, worlds, realities kind of blending into different series.”

He continued,

“It was really fun to kind of quiz him about some of that. But his answer was generally, ‘Well, you know, James, the thing you have to remember is that I was high as a kite when I wrote that, and I don’t remember.’”

King’s Candid Confession

King’s honesty about his creative process caught McAvoy off guard. The author has never shied away from discussing his struggles with addiction, even admitting that he has little memory of writing much of his novel Cujo. He’s also called The Tommyknockers the last “awful” book he wrote while under the influence. Like literary figures Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac before him, King’s battles with substance abuse became intertwined with his work, fueling the wild imagination that defines his stories.

For McAvoy, the meeting was both thrilling and a little disillusioning. He’d hoped for deep insight into the intricate connections and recurring themes that run through King’s books, only to find that the author himself sometimes can’t recall how those threads came together. Still, the encounter offered a rare, unfiltered look at the mind behind some of the most enduring tales in horror and suspense.

Two Masters of the Genre

It’s worth noting that the admiration might have been mutual. While King is celebrated for his mastery of the unsettling and the uncanny, McAvoy has delivered his own standout performances in the same realm. In 2016’s Split, he portrayed Kevin, a man with 23 distinct personalities, in a role that showcased his remarkable range and intensity. Both men, in their own ways, have left a lasting mark on the world of psychological thrillers and horror.