Setbacks, tribute acts, and all-time best rap tracks: James McAvoy and the cast of California Schemin spit bars on their new film

When it comes to rap music, Dundee does not present itself as its natural home in the same way that say, Brooklyn or Compton does. Nor would you naturally link two rap wannabe lads' scheming with a tale that will have you laughing, weeping, and ready to up the pitchforks. But that’s exactly what new film California Schemin’ does.

Based on a true story – or true lie as it self-deprecatingly points out – the film follows the life of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, two lads from Dundee who dream of being rappers. After getting laughed out of a London audition and dismissed as being “too Scottish”, they fake American accents, assuming the stage name ‘Silibil N’ Brains’ and present themselves as a Californian duo, determined to expose the industry for what it is. The pair manage to secure a record deal, tour with some major artists, and live the proper rockstar life before their hoax is revealed…

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' - Official Trailer - Directed by James McAvoy | STUDIOCANAL - YouTube

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As well as being fronted by a solid and stellar trio of relative but brilliant newcomers —Samuel Bottomley, Seamus McLean Ross, and Lucy Halliday — the film is James McAvoy’s directorial debut. McAvoy also stars in the film as hotshot music agent Anthony Reid who’s just as infamous as he is a complete arsehole. He's joined by Rebekah Murrell who plays Tessa, one of his scouts who bears the brunt of his moody modus operandi.

Ahead of the film’s UK release on 10th April, Shortlist sat down with the cast to chat about the most audacious things they’ve gotten away with, mistaken identities, and most importantly, which singers they reckon they would make a good tribute act for.

In the film, Billy and Gavin get away with being American rappers from California but we want to know if you’ve ever been mistaken for someone else - or the wrong person - in real life?

Seamus: I was staying in a hotel in Rome doing press for this film and Stephen Graham was there. I was trying to use the sauna and Stephen Graham came out and went “‘Scuse me mate, can I get a towel?” and I had to go, Oh I don’t work here , sorry. He was class about it to be fair, going "no worries, mate, no worries."

Samuel: At the BAFTAs someone took the food off my plate thinking that I was walking around dishing food out. So I was walking around like that [plate in hand] and this older woman comes and takes a mini burger off my plate. I had to let it slide and keep walking – I ended up back at my table with half the food I'd set off with...

Lucy: When I was at the premiere for this in Glasgow, someone came up to me and congratulated me for another film… Which I am not in. And then they doubled down on it and were like “Yeah you are in it, you know with this director and cast.”

Rebekah: I feel like I’ve wangled my way into places before. Like when you turn up somewhere and think, That VIP area’s looking reeeeeal nice… What’s the worst that can happen?!

James: I’ve definitely been places I shouldn’t have been! I’ve been mistaken for other people a lot – people used to think I was Tobey Maguire. I would have loved to have done some of the stuff Tobey’s done. Once I was in the gym and this lovely Argentinian lady came up to me saying “Oh I love your films, can I get a picture.” I said sure and we were chatting about my work. She went, “I especially love it when you’re on your motorbikes and go around the world with your friends” and I was like, I‘m not even going to tell this chick that I’m not Obi Wan McAvoy, I’m not even gonna tell her.

One of the things that’s fun about rappers is that they usually have a stage name as well as their actual name, like they’re almost performing as someone else. It got us thinking, if you were in a tribute act, who do you think you’d do a good tribute act of?

Rebekah: I would love to do an Eartha Kitt [biopic], that would be the dream but I think the reality is something more like Scary Spice – both fabulous to be honest.

James: The only person or band I think I’ve ever sounded like was Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Deep Blue Something – that’s the only time I’ve ever had someone say Oh my God you sound exactly like them.

Lucy: Who I’d want to do and who I’d be good at are completely different things! I’d want to do Joni Mitchell – but no-one’s hiring me for that.

SL: I think they are making a biopic

Lucy: I think they’ve cast Meryl Streep in that… Tough competition. I think I’d actually be good at Merida, you know from Brave.

Seamus: The Disney Film?

Lucy: Yeah!

Samuel: Does that count?

SL: Is a better question which Disney princess you would be?

Samuel: That’s a much better question!

Seamus: Lucy you’d be Snow White, you’re such a Snow White girly.

Samuel: Who would I be? What’s her name… Wendy from Peter Pan – does that even count?

Seamus: I’d like to be Nemo – I don’t know how that would work… But that would be good.

Well, I guess all we can say is, stay tuned folks. Oh and go and watch California Schemin' in cinemas on 10th April across the UK.

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