Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, as reported by Ecran Large, McAvoy detailed the often-unpredictable nature of residual payments in Hollywood. While many actors receive negligible checks for their past work—sometimes as little as 25 cents—*Split* stands out as a reliable earner years after its release.

"We receive a check sometimes, you know, for a few hundred pounds, or sometimes checks for 25 cents," McAvoy explained, noting the irony of postage costing more than the payment itself. "But the only film that really brings me money consistently is Split."

This phenomenon can be attributed to Split's remarkable financial performance. Made on a modest budget—McAvoy initially recalled it being around $6 million, though official figures place it closer to $9 million—the film raked in an impressive $40 million during its opening weekend alone. This immediate profitability, combined with a final global box office total exceeding $278 million, meant that residual payments began flowing almost instantly.

"We were already profitable," McAvoy recounted. "We received our first residual check at the end of the first weekend. It was completely crazy."

The quick return on investment for Split ensured that the film entered profit-sharing territory very early, allowing actors with a stake in the backend to start receiving payments sooner and more frequently as the film continued its life through home video, streaming, and television syndication. This contrasts sharply with many big-budget productions where a massive initial gross might still take years to cover production and marketing costs before residuals kick in.

McAvoy credits director M. Night Shyamalan for this success, praising his intelligence and efficiency. Shyamalan's meticulous preparation and ability to execute films like Split and its sequel, Glass, on tight budgets were key. "He made this film, as well as its sequel, Glass, with extremely modest budgets," McAvoy stated, highlighting Shyamalan's skill in optimizing every aspect of the production.

Shyamalan's influence has even extended to McAvoy's own foray into directing. McAvoy recently helmed California Schemin', which premiered in the U.S. on April 10, 2026. He acknowledged consciously and unconsciously drawing from the directors he's worked with, particularly Shyamalan's approach to preparation and efficient filmmaking.