James McAvoy’s Unlikely Encounter with Stephen King’s Creative Process

Stephen King’s name is practically woven into the fabric of popular culture. Few authors have seen their stories leap so readily from page to screen, and the coming year is no exception. In 2025, three adaptations of his work are set to arrive in cinemas. First up is The Monkey, a blend of horror and comedy starring Theo James, where a sinister toy monkey brings chaos in its wake. Next, The Long Walk, a dystopian tale reminiscent of a certain televised death match, follows a group of boys compelled to keep moving until only one remains. Rounding out the trio is The Running Man, a high-octane thriller originally published under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, to avoid overwhelming his publisher. The latest version, directed by Edgar Wright and featuring Glen Powell and Lee Pace, promises a spectacle quite distinct from the 1987 film led by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

King’s influence stretches across both literature and film, making him a touchstone for fans of both. Among those admirers is James McAvoy, who found himself rather starstruck when he met the author ahead of his role in It: Chapter Two. The Scottish actor, known for his versatility, was eager to glean some wisdom from the mind behind so many chilling tales.

Meeting a Literary Legend

McAvoy, a self-confessed devotee of King’s work, described the encounter with a mix of excitement and awe. He recounted,

“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.”

The actor was keen to probe King about the intricate connections that thread through his novels, hoping for a glimpse into the author’s creative process.

However, the response he received was not quite what he’d anticipated. As McAvoy put it,

“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.’”

Not exactly the profound insight McAvoy had hoped for, but certainly memorable in its own right.

King’s Candid Confession

King’s openness about his past substance use is hardly new. He’s spoken before about the impact it had on his writing, even admitting that he has little recollection of penning much of Cujo due to his struggles with addiction. The Tommyknockers, he’s said, marked the end of what he considers his “awful” period of writing under the influence.

It’s a rather honest admission, and one that places King in the company of other writers who have sought inspiration—or perhaps escape—through less conventional means. The likes of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac come to mind, both of whom famously experimented with mind-altering substances in pursuit of literary innovation.

Mutual Admiration in the World of Horror

One might imagine that the admiration was mutual. King, whose name is synonymous with the unsettling and the uncanny, would no doubt have recognised McAvoy’s own contributions to the genre. In Split, McAvoy delivered a performance that was nothing short of a tour de force, embodying a character with 23 distinct personalities. It’s the sort of role that demands both range and nerve, qualities that have become hallmarks of McAvoy’s career.

So, while McAvoy may not have walked away with the creative secrets he’d hoped for, he did gain a story that’s as curious as any of King’s own. Sometimes, the reality behind the curtain is stranger—and more candid—than fiction itself.