James McAvoy says he ‘nearly died’ after his lungs collapsed following botched biopsy

James McAvoy says a lung biopsy after doctors spotted a shadow left him with a punctured lung, which later collapsed while he was alone at home. He described the procedure as botched and said he nearly died; the account highlights the serious risks he says followed an investigation that found no cancer.

McAvoy recalled spending two or three weeks in hospital as doctors tried to clear his lungs, before considering major surgery. He said he then spent four or five months preparing to play the Beast in 2019’s *Glass*, beginning with four weeks of rehabilitation because he could not yet run or cycle, followed by intensive training and weight gain.