Simon Pegg Rejects Idea of ‘Shaun of the Dead 2’
In a world saturated with reboots and sequels, Simon Pegg stands firm against the trend, confirming that fans shouldn’t expect a follow-up to his beloved 2004 film, “Shaun of the Dead,” anytime soon. The actor, who not only starred in but also co-wrote the comedy, urges fans to “move on” while teasing the possibility of a new collaboration with director Edgar Wright.
During an interview with The Guardian, Pegg expressed his frustration with constant inquiries about a sequel, stating, “Whenever I do an Instagram Live or something, people always say, ‘I need Shaun of the Dead 2 in my life.’ And I’m like, ‘No, you don’t bloody need Shaun of the Dead 2! The last thing you need is Shaun of the Dead 2! It’s finished. Move on!'” The original film garnered $30 million at the box office upon its release in 2004, earning critical acclaim and attaining a remarkable 92% score on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. The success of “Shaun of the Dead” led to a series of collaborations between Pegg and Wright, including “Hot Fuzz” (2007) and “The World’s End” (2013), collectively known as The Cornetto Trilogy.
Pegg revealed that although fans shouldn’t anticipate a sequel to the original film, they can look forward to a new project from him and Wright. The duo is currently in the early stages of developing a fourth film, promising a completely fresh concept. Pegg emphasized, “Whatever Edgar and I do next, we won’t rely on our past work.” However, Pegg doesn’t plan to play it safe and hopes to subvert expectations, stating, “I enjoy the idea of ruffling feathers. There’s something amusing about burning everything down. We won’t be what people think we are. We should do something unexpected and undesired!”
In addition to his refusal to turn his own creations into franchises, Pegg has joined one of the world’s most iconic franchises himself. He stars as Benji Dunn in the upcoming film “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” the seventh installment in the long-running action series led by Tom Cruise. Pegg has portrayed the character since 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III.”
As the release of “Dead Reckoning Part One” approaches, director Chris McQuarrie revealed that Wright contributed to the new project. McQuarrie shared that Wright’s suggestion during a screening “completely changed the movie,” explaining, “Edgar attended one of the later screenings and asked a simple question about a specific sound – an audio cue. I thought I had addressed that note, but it wasn’t obvious to Edgar. Surprisingly, the audience didn’t notice it either until Edgar pointed it out. And that change significantly improved the entire film.”
Watch Collider’s interview with Simon Pegg below: [link to interview]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Collaboration
Will there be a sequel to “Shaun of the Dead”?
No, Simon Pegg has confirmed that there won’t be a sequel to “Shaun of the Dead” in the near future. He urges fans to move on and explore new concepts.
Is Simon Pegg working on any new projects with Edgar Wright?
Yes, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright are collaborating on a new film project. While it won’t be a sequel to “Shaun of the Dead,” they are developing a fresh concept for their next endeavor.
What is Simon Pegg’s involvement in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise?
Simon Pegg stars as Benji Dunn in the “Mission: Impossible” film series. He has appeared in every installment since “Mission: Impossible III” and continues to portray the character in the upcoming film, “Dead Reckoning Part One.”
How did Edgar Wright contribute to “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”?
During a screening, Edgar Wright made a suggestion that had a significant impact on the film. His input about a specific sound changed the entire movie for the better, as acknowledged by director Chris McQuarrie.
More about Collaboration
- The Guardian interview with Simon Pegg
- Rotten Tomatoes: Shaun of the Dead
- Collider interview with Simon Pegg
- Total Film interview with Chris McQuarrie
