James McAvoy says he's been turned down for roles because he's 'too short'

Actor James McAvoy, who plays Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men movies and is currently in starring the HBO series His Dark Materials, says one certain aspect of his physique has prevented him from getting roles in the past: his height.

In an interview with The Telegraph, McAvoy commented on his stature (which is 5 feet, 7 inches). “As a shorter man,” he said. “I sometimes get told I’m too short for a role. Or even when I get a role, I’m made to feel like, well, of course, we’re going to have to do something about that.”

In the interview, McAvoy also mentioned an instance on a set where an actress not only criticised his height but also his overall appearance.

“Sometimes you’re made to feel like you’re not good-looking enough to get a role,” the 40-year-old Scottish star said in the interview.

Read more: Critics split over His Dark Materials

“I was told once by an actress that it was an interesting choice, my casting, because nobody would usually believe that I would be with somebody like her. That was a kick in the nuts! I was like, ‘All right, now I’ve got to pretend that I really like you for eight more weeks. This is going to be really tough, because you’re so far up yourself.’ It got really interesting, that relationship.”

It goes without saying, but McAvoy still has plenty of fans. Former Atomic Kitten singer and media personality Kerry Katona is one person who gives McAvoy her hotness vote.

After John Legend was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Katona weighed in with her opinion in a column for new! magazine.

“I'm so not having John Legend as the Sexiest Man Alive ... He's not a patch on James McAvoy. Now there's a man I think is really fit,” she wrote. “He's super-talented, he's obviously got a great sense of humor, he's got buckets of charisma, and just seems like a down-to-earth, cool guy.”

McAvoy’s height still hasn’t kept success at bay. In addition to his turn in His Dark Materials as Lord Asriel, the actor also starred in It: Chapter Two earlier this year.