James McAvoy Set To Make Directorial Debut

BAFTA-winning James McAvoy is swapping being in front of the camera for a turn in the director's chair, announcing that he is set to make his directorial debut.

The film will chart the real-life story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who duped the music industry to become hip-hop duo Silibil N' Brains. The pair famously adopted fake accents after being ridiculed for their Scottish roots, re-recorded their tracks with Californian accents and rocked up in London one day proclaiming fame and a childhood friendship with Eminem to solidify the story.

McAvoy told Deadline: "What these two young men from Dundee attempted beggars belief and I can't wait to bring this absolutely incredible, and also very Scottish/Californian story to the cinema. Using Scottish talent behind and in front of the camera is something I'm passionate about and I'm over the moon to be making my directorial debut in my homeland. The film will first and foremost be a celebration of the Scottish spirit, but the 'Silibil N' Brains' duo's audacious fakery can't help but appeal to audiences worldwide."

Produced by Homefront Productions and producer Guy J Louthan, the film will commence shooting next year.