Jun 26 2008 Edgar Wright Discusses 'Ant-Man,' 'Scott Pilgrim,' How Much More He's Done Than You
A helpful commenter on Cinematical has pointed out a recent interview PiQ magazine did with Edgar Wright. In it, the writer/director briefly discusses his upcoming projects, Scott Pilgrim, The World's End, Them, and Ant-Man, and reminds you he was directing the amazing British comedy Spaced at 24. If you're like me, this last point will cause you a few moments of head-in-your-hands self-evaluation/self-pity. Don't worry; as usual, this will pass.
Here's what he said regarding Ant-Man:
I wrote that for Marvel and I’m in the process of doing a second draft. I had a lot of fun writing that script, I wrote it with this guy Joe Cornish, who is a really funny UK writer. It’s not really an out-and-out comedy. I think some people assume that it must be a spoof, but it’s not really. I guess it’s as funny as something like Iron Man is, it’s on that level of entertainment, really. It’s a big, high concept, special effects comic book adaptation, and very character-led and we found a way of… I guess in a similar way to Iron Man, the thing that worked with that and hopefully will with this is that it’s a different way of seeing a superhero origin, because you’ve seen so many of them and we really tried to figure out a fresh take on that story. So it’s definitely a Marvel film but it’s got a little twist on it in terms of the way that it plays out.
I've already decided this will be my favorite superhero movie alongside The Dark Knight, which I'm also just assuming will be very good. So don't screw anything up over the next several years, Wright, or it's going to completely eff up my entirely speculative list of great superhero movies.
May 6 2008 It's About Time: 'Spaced' Coming to Region 1 DVD
You're heard me rave about the wonders of the British series Spaced; now hear other equally-unrelated but more notable people say the same! Previously available only in Region 2 format, the Simon Pegg/Jessica Stevenson/Edgar Wright sitcom is at last coming to U.S. shores July 22, now with extraneous commentary by Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bill Hader, Patton Oswalt, and Diablo Cody. I don't earnestly promote that many things, so take it to heart when I say if you haven't already procured the series by other means, take this opportunity.
Thanks to Caitlin for the tip, and for sharing her thoughts: "f***ing finally!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yeah, no kidding.
Spaced - The Complete Series Press Release and Box Art [TV Shows on DVD]
Mar 12 2008 Alpha Human Cast in 'Spaced' Remake
Did you realize the perfect human has been created in a laboratory? It's true! And he's been cast as the lead in the ill-conceived, Simon Pegg-less American adaptation of the British sitcom Spaced! Fox's head of casting, Marcia Shulman, found Australian über-man Josh Lawson, and described his perfection to the Hollywood Reporter:
We all have been describing him as Matthew Perry meets Robin Williams.
Matthew Perry and Robin Williams--in one body??? Does science know no bounds? Will the lab create a Debra Messing/Kathy Griffin chimera for the female lead, and if so, will Lawson mate with her? God, can you imagine that beautiful, hilarious progeny? You wouldn't be able to look at it without breaking into spontaneous laughter and applause.
Meteoric rise to 'Spaced' [Hollywood Reporter]
Mar 3 2008 Pegg Confirms No Involvement in American 'Spaced'
How to destroy any faint chance that an American remake of British sitcom Spaced would be any good:
1. Don't involve Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, or Jessica Stevenson--the show's creators--in any way at all. Though they're the ones who made the original desirable enough that you want to remake it, they would clearly have nothing further to contribute to an adaptation.
2. Do bring Charlie's Angels director McG on board. The problem with Spaced was that it wasn't enough like a blindingly over-satured music video, and its credits sorely lacked an self-important pseudonym.
3. Cast Mike O'Malley and Debra Messing in the lead roles.
With Pegg officially confirming his lack of involvement, two of these statements are now fact, and the third can't be far behind. To visualize the state of this project, think of that scene in Alien Resurrection where Ripley stumbles upon her grotesque, failed genetic clones, begging with all their strength to be killed.
Oct 30 2007 'Spaced' To Be Dumbed Down for Americans
Admittedly, I was pretty surprised and relieved when NBC remade the outstanding UK The Office and it came out as something genuinely watchable, and even enjoyable. But rather than treat this as anomaly it is, Fox is going to take a role of the dice and try not to ruin Spaced, the classic sitcom from Shaun of the Dead's Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright.
The show was picked up by US producers Wonderland Sound and Vision after the company’s president, Peter Johnson, was told about the show by someone in a comic-book store.As a fan of Pegg’s Shaun of the Dead film, he decided he wanted the rights – and now Fox has ordered a pilot episode.
And if for some reason you're holding out hope, bear in mind that someone from Will & Grace is adapting it. So at best they'll find a way to work in a squeaky voice, flaccid sexual tension, Harry Connick Jr., and some evidence of how flamboyant gay people are.
This news makes my insides hurt.
America Gets Spaced [Chortle]
