California Schemin’ – Watch the trailer for the directorial debut of James McAvoy

STUDIOCANAL today reveals an exclusive first look at the teaser trailer and poster for California Schemin’, the directorial debut of James McAvoy, confirmed for release in UK & Irish cinemas on 10 April 2026.

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ stars Séamus McLean Ross (Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Rebus), Samuel Bottomley (How to Have Sex, Anemone), Lucy Halliday (Blue Jean, The Testaments) and Rebekah Murrell (Pirates, One Day), alongside McAvoy himself.

Based on the improbably true story, the film follows aspiring Scottish MCs Gavin (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) as they devise an audacious scheme to achieve their dream of a record deal, by posing as Californian hip hop artists.

As fame beckons and the lies pile up, their friendship is put to the test.

Written by Elaine Gracie and Archie Thomson, CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ is produced by Danny Page of Homefront Productions and Michael Mendelsohn of Patriot Pictures, alongside Paul Aniello of Tartan Bridge and Simon Kay. The film is produced with funding from The National Lottery through Screen Scotland and Mendelsohn’s Union Patriot Capital affiliate is financing the film production.

Executive Producers include Natalie Perrotta and Jim Steele for Patriot Pictures, Naysun Alae-Carew, Nic Crum, Lauren Lamarr for Blazing Griffin; Steven Little and Kieran Hannigan for Screen Scotland; Stephen Kelliher and Yana Georgieva are Executive Producers for Bankside Films.

Co-Producers are Barry Hutchison and Fiona Hutchison for Zertex Media, and Isabelle Georgeaux for Pont Neuf Productions.

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ will be released by STUDIOCANAL in the UK and Ireland on 10 April 2026.