James McAvoy Reveals 'Split' Is the Only Film That Consistently Pays Him

Actor James McAvoy has built an impressive and varied career, starring in high-profile projects such as 'Atonement,' 'X-Men: First Class,' and 'Speak No Evil.' However, the acclaimed actor recently shared a surprising detail regarding the financial realities of Hollywood residuals. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, McAvoy revealed that M. Night Shyamalan’s 2016 horror film 'Split' is the absolute 'only' movie in his filmography that still consistently pays him meaningful residuals.

Discussing the nature of residual payments in the entertainment industry, McAvoy offered a candid glimpse into how compensation works long after a movie leaves theaters. He explained that actors often receive sporadic checks amounting to a few hundred pounds, or sometimes shockingly small sums like 25 cents. He joked that it literally costs more to process the physical mail than the check is actually worth. Yet, amidst this landscape of diminishing returns, 'Split' stands out as a reliable and continuous source of income.

The financial success of 'Split' largely stems from its remarkably lean production model. McAvoy recalled that the film was made for a budget of approximately $6 million, with an estimated $30 million spent on marketing. Because the psychological thriller performed exceptionally well right out of the gate—grossing $40 million in its opening weekend alone—the movie entered a profitable state almost instantly. The actor noted that their very first residual checks arrived at the end of that initial opening weekend, describing the rapid turnaround as completely bonkers.

In 'Split,' McAvoy delivered a celebrated lead performance as a man diagnosed with 23 distinct personalities who kidnaps three teenage girls. The plot follows the captives, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jessica Sula, as they attempt to escape before a terrifying 24th persona fully emerges. Backed by strong word-of-mouth and gripping tension, the low-budget picture became a massive global sensation. It ultimately grossed $138.29 million domestically and $140.16 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide box office haul to an astounding $278.45 million.

Beyond the financial windfall, McAvoy used the podcast appearance to reflect on his collaboration with director M. Night Shyamalan. The actor praised Shyamalan's meticulous level of preparation, noting how the filmmaker managed to craft both 'Split' and its subsequent sequel, 'Glass,' on remarkably modest budgets. McAvoy highlighted that Shyamalan remains intensely focused on maximizing every single production day, framing every shot effectively, and squeezing the absolute most out of the narrative through strict efficiency and creative vision.