• James McAvoy is being interviewed by Stephen Colbert in "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."

James McAvoy is being interviewed by Stephen Colbert in "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." (Photo : YouTube / The Late Show With Stephen Colbert)

James McAvoy revealed that both franchises and indies contributed to the success of his acting career. He was in New York City to promote the new film, "X-Men: Apocalypse" on May 26, Thursday, a day before its release date in the United States.

The versatile actor was also spotted heading to the Ed Sullivan Theater to guest on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Earlier this month, he and his wife for almost 10 years, Anne-Marie Duff announced the end of their marriage.

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The newly-single actor flaunted his toned muscles and looked incredibly handsome, happy and relaxed while chatting with fans and signing few autographs, according to Popsugar. He, who keeps a laid back look when not on red carpet, paired his tight white shirt with black jeans and wore designer shades.

The actor who has a prolific acting career showed his emotional side in "Atonement" and in "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby." He played Macbeth in the 2013 "West End" in London and as a passionate young professor in the "X-Men" movies.

McAvoy is portraying Professor Charles Xavier starting in "X-Men: First Class" in 2011, then in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and now, "X-Men: Apocalypse." His character has goodwill, and is optimistic as he runs a school of mutants, hopeful about humanity until he faced Oscar Isaac's seemingly powerful monster, Apocalypse.

The actor is balancing franchises with indies, and that what makes him tick, he told AOL in an exclusive interview. He said, "It's given me a ton of freedom."

McAvoy can be in independent films which are difficult to get made. He added, "It's given me the opportunity to be fulfilled and keep stretching myself and exploring not only different kinds of stories and the different kind of actor that I can be."

The "X-Men" star had been busy and continued the promo trail for his new movie in New York. Meanwhile, his co-star Alexandra Shipp with whom he reportedly had become close following their meeting in the latest Marvel franchise, was in the Empire State Building in another promo event.

McAvoy refused to comment on his alleged linked with Shipped when he returned to north London, to his £1.9 million terraced home with four beds. He and his ex-wife plan to continue living together prevent disruption to the life of their young son.

McAvoy talks about the importance of arts education for kids with Stephen Colbert in the following video.