The film centred around the mundane life of Pegg’s character, when his existence is shaken up by a zombie attack. It also managed to capture some of the previous popular culture references reflected in Spaced, although in a new light.
When asked in an interview with A.V.Club, about the influence of popular culture on today’s generation, and the effect it has had - on not only the generation, but film-making, Pegg expressed a desire to become part of the culture, rather than stand in the shadows.
“The idea of popular culture became something that belonged to us rather than something that we looked at from far away. We realised we could be part of it and create it, instead of being consumers only.”
Such an instant success the film was, three years later, in 2007, the trio teamed up again for the big-screen, with a homage to nearly every cop film ever made, Hot Fuzz, which Pegg described as a “similar spin on a different genre [to ‘Shaun Of The Dead’].” The film was a definitive change for Pegg - with his character, Nicholas Angel requiring a straight-down-the-line performance - with little to no comedic reference. The character seemingly showed another side to the actor, but he maintains the belief that Nicholas Angel was no reflection of himself.
“I just wanted to play a character that wasn’t anything like me,” he explained to A.V.Club, “and [who] had nothing to do with me.”
The film also boasted some of the UK’s finest actors and actresses, from both the past and present - lending the film a certain class and sophistication. In an interview with ugo.com, Pegg talked about his happiness to work with similar, if not the same, group of people - but didn’t sell himself short by suggesting he would only work with a specific cast.
“It’s nice to [work with] a repertoire of people. It’s fun to work with people you know. Of course, when new people come along, you want to work with them, too.”
This has become evident in recent years, with Pegg undertaking a number of new projects, without the usual suspects, Wright and Frost - however, this has only broadened his range, allowing Pegg to showcase his aptitude for writing and acting in new environments.
In 2006, he starred in the dark comedy, Big Nothing. In 2007, he co-wrote and starred alongside Thandie Newton in Run, Fatboy, Run - and also appeared in the comedy/drama The Good Night. The most recent addition to his outstanding CV, is How To Lose Friends & Alienate People - a modern take on Toby Young’s book of the same name. While fundamentals of the film adaptation may differ from the book, the movie again allowed Pegg to thrive on screen.
Playing the role of Sidney Young, Pegg injected his own on-screen charisma and comedic background into the character, resulting in an accomplished performance - supported by the likes of Kirsten Dunst and Jeff Bridges. While the role was somewhat based on Toby Young’s experiences in the high-profile journalistic world, Pegg chose to create his own image of the character, explaining that he didn’t want to “do an impression of him [Toby Young] because the script is a fictionalisation of his book.”
“So I thought, ‘I’ll play the character from the ground up’,” Pegg told Nathan Rabin of A.V.Club. “He [Pegg’s character] doesn’t mind being provocative because he thinks he’s just being honest. His obliviousness is entirely intentional. He thinks his no nonsense honesty and brash realism is charming. When in actual fact it’s sort of inappropriate at times.”
Pegg’s movie credits will continue to roll in 2009, with his most recent unreleased role as Scotty, in the highly anticipated update of the Star Trek franchise - a film that Pegg has expressed great elation in having the opportunity to take part in.
“It was phenomenal,” he explains to Nathan Rabin, “I think if someone had of told me, as I sat watching the original series, eating my tea, if someone had come into the room and whispered in my ear that in 35 years you’d be talking to that character as that character, I would be like, ‘What?!’.”
The May 7th release date for Star Trek is already set, and only time will tell if Pegg will rise to the challenge of becoming another part of cultural history. Though if previous offerings are any indication, the future is certainly looking bigger and brighter for Simon Pegg.
