He wasn’t a failure, but he was better at basketball.

Common: Yeah. He was pretty good in it, but going from being so excellent at basketball, people were too critical.

Common, what mythical creature with the legs and horns of a goat and the upper body of a man did James play in the Narnia film?

Common: I don’t know the name of that animal. [Laughs.] I seen him...

James McAvoy: It’s a faun. Or a satyr. Originally taken from the followers of Dionysus. They were like the demons of Dionysus, who was the Greek god of orgies, and they chose that mythical creature to introduce Narnia to an 8-year-old girl. It’s so weird. C.S. Lewis was really fucked up.

How do you pronounce this Scottish city? [Points to the word “Edinburgh” on a page.]

Common: Ah, “Edinburg,” “Eedinburg...”

James McAvoy: Nearly. It’s “Edinbura.”

Common: Ahh. Golly. When did I go there, man?

James McAvoy: In America, you guys say “buro,” we say “bura.” But if you’re from Edinburgh, you’re an Edinburgher. [In American accent] You’re an Edinburger. [Both laugh.]

Name one of the three soccer teams from Glasgow.

James McAvoy: Oh!

Common: [Laughs.]

James McAvoy: Think Boston.

Common: Celtics.

James McAvoy: Yeah!

What drone instrument is often associated with Scotland?

Common: Tuba.

James McAvoy: No, it plays more than one note at once.

Common: Accordion.

James McAvoy: No, you blow air into it and you do that. [Mimes playing a bagpipe.]

Common: What are those things called? Bagpipes!

James McAvoy: Yeah!

What country is Sean Connery from?

Common: He must be from Scotland. [Both laugh.]

Where is Riverdance from?

Common: Scotland...Glasgow...

James McAvoy: Oh, it’s a trick question. You’ve just been there.

Common: Ireland.

James McAvoy: Yes! Excellent.

Have you ever worn a kilt?

Common: Nah. [Laughs.]

James McAvoy: You’d look good in a kilt, you would.

Common: Yeah, right.

James McAvoy: You know who wears one a lot? American guy, Samuel L. Jackson, he often wears a kilt. And he looks good in it.

Common: I honor the dudes that have it in their hearts to wear it, but I don’t think I’m gonna rock it. It just ain’t in my repertoire. Home // ENTERTAINMENT // FEATURES // James McAvoy VS Common