Have you ever worked with any animals that you fell in love with and wanted to abduct them? ie Colin
Yes, I worked with a dog this year called "Mojo" in Absolutely Anything (whom Robin Williams did the voice of) and he was a lovely dog. And now that Robin is gone, I want to kidnap him even more.
What should I do with the 'Batman' soundtrack?
Throw it!
Greetings Simon, I am a huge fan of your work. The Cornetto Trilogy are some of my favorite films of all time.
I am very curious about your upcoming film Absolutely Anything, and have a few questions regarding it.
How was the experience of working with so many Monty Python alums?
Did you have the opportunity to work directly with Robin Williams on this project or was his time spent entirely in the sound booth? If yes, do you have any interesting stories regarding your work with him?
How was it acting alongside a dog? Were there any challenges unique to working closely with an animal?
Thanks for taking this time to talk with the fans. It means the world to us. Keep up the great work.
1) Amazing. It was a bit of a dream come true, and they were lovely.
2) I didn't get to meet him, and that will always be a sad thing for me, because he was always a hero of mine.
3) You can do a really good take, but if the animal doesn't get it right, it's no good. But you can do a sort of okay take, and if the animal gets it right, then that's the one they use. It's not always easy.
Who's your favorite superhero?
Eh -- my favourite superhero is probably Marshal Law.
I am somewhat of a zombie aficionado. Should I watch Shaun of the Dead or the Walking Dead?
Watch George Romero's Dawn of the Dead before you watch any other zombie film! Watch Night of the Living Dead first, and Dawn of the Dead (1978), and then Day of the Dead (1985). Every other zombie film is a footnote.
Hi Simon!
Hot Fuzz is one of my all-time favorite movies--do you have any fun or interesting stories from filming that one?
Yes, hundreds, but we don't have that much time! You had to be there.
Who is the cooler Brit. Simon Pegg or Simon Cowell?
Who is the cooler Brit, is that a question? I think I would have to say... well, that's a really difficult one.
Hi Simon, thanks for doing the AMA
Other than what you do currently what would be your dream job?
I think I'd like to work in special FX, because that's always something I've loved.
What's your favorite part about working with Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible Films?
Tom is a great person to work with because he works so hard, and he just sort of inspires you to give as good as you possibly can get. He's also a lot more normal than I think everybody realizes, and the closer you get to him, the more normal you realize he is, which I think is a genius secret of movie-stardom.
Hello, how are you? What is it like to be part of the Star Trek franchise? Beam me up, Scotty!
Hahaha! It's amazing! and I feel very lucky to be a part of it. And I can't wait to do Star Trek 3.
in the past you've hinted that there might not be a Spaced Series 3. if Season 3 never happens, in what form will the story be continued / concluded?
(say 'comic books').
It never will, because it has to be something that's generated by myself, Jessica, and Edgar, and Edgar's too busy doing films now, and it should just be left alone. Let it go, as Elsa said in Frozen, let it go.
Simon Pegg! What's your favorite drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and what's your favorite thing to say as a toast?
Probably "Cheers," it's an old one but it works.
And I don't drink so my favourite drink is probably sparkling water.
Hi Simon, whose idea was it for you to become next Star Trek Scotty?
JJ Abrams. He called me and asked if I wanted to do it, and I said "yes."
Yo bud, what does your favorite breakfast consist of?
I do love an omelette. But I'm also very slutty about granola. Yeah. I'm a granola slut.
My mum says you're shorter in real life.
How do you respond to that?
Shorter than what?
What's your favorite animal?
DOGS. I love dogs. I have two. And I love them dearly.
No luck catching them swans then?
No, although I've noticed several real swans have escaped recently and are being pursued by British Police. So it wasn't that far-fetched.
How is J.J. Abrams as a director? How dooes he work with actors?
JJ is an amazing actor's director because he really knows how to communicate what he wants, he has a tremendous energy on-set, and he's a lovely, lovely human being. So you want to work hard for him.
Mr Pegg- Like many fans of your work, I love your writing and your acting. It's easy to quote with friends, fun to imitate your delivery. But something else happened when I saw THE WORLD'S END. I sat in the theater with my friends, and when Gary King argued with Andy over that last pint, something clicked and I felt awful. I felt embarrassed. I wanted to slink out of the cinema.
There have been tons of movies about substance abuse, either with that subject being the main plot point, or a very important B-plot. I don't know why none of them triggered it, (or why a real-life event didn't trigger it.) For some reason, it took your film with aliens that spurt blue stuff to make me go "Oh my god, I might have a problem." It seems so damn obvious in retrospect - that time in college I wound up in the ER, that time in my 20's when I crashed my car, etc - but I never connected the events in my head. You would think with the rampant narcissism of the social media age, I would have twigged that all these bad things happen when I drink, but I simply didn't. Instead, I thought they were all separate one-offs. I thought I totally had my shit together.
WORLD'S END was not some after school special, and I'm not trying to pile that status onto your work. It was a fantastically-written kinetic comedy. For me, it also had the unexpected effect of making me finally realize I'm a 30-something year old woman with a husband and responsibilities, and I can't keep fucking going on like this.
I apologize for the length of that (man, speaking of narcissism), but if I ever got the chance to meet you, Mr Pegg, it was the thing I always wanted to say - Thank you, from the bottom of my awkwardly sincere heart, for WORLD'S END. You and those glowy-light aliens triggered perhaps the most important change I've made in my life.
And because Reddit dictates that we must have a question: Is there anything you can tell us about your new movie you're writing with Edgar Wright?
Well, firstly, thank you very much. That means a lot. There is a very serious story at the heart of the World's End, and I'm glad you saw it so clearly. And well-done, you. Keep on keeping on.
With regards to my new movie with Edgar, we haven't started writing it yet, so there's nothing we can tell you, other than it will happen.
Hi Simon! Huge, huge fan of your work, I'm so glad that you're back on Reddit!
So my questions for you are:
What is the cheapest thing you know of that gives you the most pleasure?
What toppings do you like on your pizza?
That's all! Thanks again for being here, and hopefully I'll see you over at the model village! :)
Edit: I don't always make Simon Pegg laugh, but when I do I show everyone in my chemistry lecture hall his reply.
Hahaha! Well, I mean, kindness is free. That sounds kind of... a bit hippy-dippy but you know it's nice to be nice, and that gives me pleasure, when you meet people you don't know who are lovely. I meet lots of people who have seen the movies or whatever, I mean that last redditor who said they took something special from The World's End, that's free and it doesn't get any better than that.
Personally, i LOVE pizza, I think it's my favourite food. And my favourite pizza is, I think a number 14 from John's Pizzeria on Bleecker Street in New York. And it is:
and that's it.
Do you ever miss doing stand up? Are you ever tempted to just drop into a club on a random night and do 5 minutes?
I do miss it, yeah. I miss it most when I go and see it. But you have to be so fit to do standup. You can't just pick up where you left off. You need to do lots of shows, and then you get sharp and really good. If I did it now, I'd be rusty.
What's your favourite type of Cornetto?
My favourite Cornetto is the mint. It's a very refreshing, chocolate-y delight.
Do you want anything from the shop?
Cornetto.
What's your favorite color?
That's an interesting question.
I think I like the rainbow, really. I wouldn't like to specify. It changes, depending on my mood.
If you bit a zombie, could you turn him into you?
If I bit a zombie? Could I turn him into me?
I have no answer for that question, but it's strange and beautiful, so thank you.
As a Star Wars fan, did you ever read any of the novels or have any familiarity with the EU?
I've read a few of the novels. I read Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Allan Beene Foster and I read The Admiral Thrawn books. But I'm all about movies, and when I say movies, I mean the first 3, not the prequels.
What is you favourite video game of all time, and which game of recent history has impressed you?
Thank you very much!
My favourite game of all time is probably Half Life 2. And I love love LOVE the look of the new Alien game, which is called Alien: Isolation.
Who is the funniest human being you have ever hung out with?
Nick Frost. No question.
Hey Simon, huge fan. I just wanted to know, boxers or briefs?
Boxer-briefs.
What should I whisper into my girlfriends ear?
Ehm - haha! "You're beautiful."
Can you tell us something about yourself that we may find surprising?
I've never been to Italy. It's my great shame.
If you were to be casted in a comic movie, who would you want to be?
Ehm... I've always had a soft spot for The Hulk.
Well, hello again. Just one question, if the Muppets ever did another show like The Muppet Show again, would you be a guest star?
Most certainly, it would be an honour.
Hi Simon!
I’m a big fan, thanks for doing another AMA!
My question is if you’re a fan of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” and if so who’s your favorite character?
I LOVE Game of Thrones. And I am Team Tyrion all the way!
I LOVE Game of Thrones. And I am Team Tyrion all the way!
Although I'm also in love with Daenarys Stormborn.
If you could do anything other than acting, what would it be and why?
I picture you as...an accountant or tech support. :P
I answered that, didn't I, with that special FX thing? I always wanted to do special makeup FX.
What's your favourite fast food place?
I don't eat fast food, I look after myself. BUT - at a push - In n Out burger.
Gigantic fan. My only question is what are ways kids used to make fun of you or your name in school?
Ehm - yeah, sometimes.
Would you rather fight one horse sized duck or 100 duck sized horses?
I would rather fight... I would take them both on, at the same time.
On the subject of your new film, what makes you truly happy?
That's a really hard question. Because it's not a simple answer. Happiness is something you experience along the way, it's not a destination that you get to. But I feel happiness is being okay with yourself and the world. Or at least that's a good place to start, anyway.
How amazing was it like to take a picture with Tom Cruise's leg?
Hahahahahaha!
Uh - me and Tom sat in the car today, and I said "I'm going to take a picture of your knee and tweet it." And we laughed a lot. And I did it. It was fun.
Simon, can you talk about your ties to the comic book series 'The Boys '? Will we ever see a movie? I LOVE the comics and think it'd make for an interesting screenplay.
I keep hearing about it, it would make a great screenplay. I feel it might be timely as well, because it's about keeping superheroes in check. But I think I'm too old to play Wee Hughie.
What is the best film you've recently seen?
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson's most recent film. I just loved it.
How would you defeat zombies from the upcoming zombie apocalypse when it finally happens?
Ehm - just by being careful, and always having a blunt object, not relying too heavily on guns, because they run out of bullets. I'm also trying to keep a grip on reality, and know that it's never going to happen.
What should I have for dinner today?
A lamb tagine.
I feel like if I were ever to meet you I would pull a Troy from community when he meets LeVar Burton.
Is there anyone left in the world you could meet that would leave you speechless?
I met Bill Murray recently, and I was nearly speechless on that occasion. But I played it very cool, and he was very nice. There are always cool and interesting people to meet. I hope I am rendered speechless on many occasions during the remaining time i have left on earth.
Can dogs look up? My friend doesn't think so.
Yes they can. There's no question about this. It's a rumor that Nick Frost started and delights in perpetuatin'.
What is it like working on movies with your best friend?
It's great, because we get to hang out more than we would in real life.
Hey Simon!
This is is an interesting question-at least to me-What has been your strangest fan encounter?
Thanks for doing this!
The fans that I meet are generally lovely people. I've never had a particularly weird fan encounter. Everybody I meet seems to be cool, and "with it," I feel lucky that I attract a particularly cool type of person. So I can't say I've had a particularly weird one.
Hey Simon, huge fan of the Cornetto trilogy and all of your other films! Just wondering did you and Mr Wright decide on Cornettos to be the constant factor in the three films?
No, that was an accident. We put one in Shaun of the Dead, we got free ice cream at the premiere, so we thought we'd put on in Hot Fuzz so we could be more free ice cream, and it became the linking factor, the thing that people focused on as the linking factor in the movies, when really the linking factors were more complex, but ice cream is easier to explain.
Who tickles your funny bone?
Nick, always. Whenever I see Nick, we text each other every day and he always makes me laugh, to the point where if I look at my phone and burst out laughing, my wife will say "How's Nick?"
What's your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Just hang out with my family, and try and have as normal a life as possible. I love being at home, just hanging out with my daughter and playing My Little Pony and stuff. Although I'm not a Brony.
Simon, do you like to do draawrings?
Yes, but I'm nowhere near as good as the artists that I've played in the past.
Ever thought about changing your last name to Says?
I get it! I see! No, never.
Mr Pegg
On a scale of 1-10, how awesome does it feel for you to wake up in the morning as Simon Pegg?
Sometimes it's very awkward.
What does Timothy Dalton smell like?
Like quality leather. He smells rugged and aromatic.
Who is your favorite Star Wars character and why?
Chewbacca. Because he's so cuddly.
Hi Mr. Pegg! Can I please have some screenwriting advice?
Ehm - yeah, write what you know. Simple as that.
What's your favourite flavour of crisps?
My favourite crisps? Smoky bacon.
What do you/will you tell your kid about fame?
It shouldn't be the goal. It should just be a result of the goal. If at all.
It shouldn't be the goal. It should just be a result of the goal. If at all.
Don't make fame the goal.
How many push-ups can you do?
thousands.
What did you eat for dinner last night?
I had a lamb tagine!
if you had to choose one, would you choose the mighty duo of Bill & Ted or Wayne's World?
Bill & Ted.
Read any good comics lately?
Ehm, I haven't recently. I find it difficult to juggle parenting with any kind of other stuff time.
Who is your favorite Star Trek character besides Scotty?
I've always loved Spock. I love his demeanor and his kind of, you know, his puzzlement of the human condition. I think he's a fantastic character, and I love Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of him. And Zack Quinto's.
What film has your favorite soundtrack or score?
The Empire Strikes Back. It was, I think, one of the greatest film scores of all time.
Hello Simon! What do you like the most about Morocco? I'm a huge fan from Agadir who unfortunately cannot meet you :/
Lamb tagine!
What's your favourite book ?
My favourite book is probably The Big Tagine Cookbook.
Who's your favorite Beatle? John, Ringo, George, or Paul?
:Huff:
Do I have to have a favourite? I love them all, for different reasons. And equally.
Any chance we'll see more of Burke and Hare in the not-so-nearly-but-potentially-tomorrow-future?
No, because they're both dead! Did you not watch the end of the film?
Simon, if you were given the option to work with motion capture technology to act in a video game (much like Ellen Page in the recent Beyond: Two Souls) do you imagine you'd endeavor in something like that?
Sure! I mean, it's an emerging technology, so never say never.
What is you favourite cake? Or tart if that's what you're into...
Black Forest gateau.
I always wanted to know: at the end of Shaun of the Dead, where Shaun is underneath the pub, he is wearing a (red) bandanna, smoking a cigarette, and looks generally awesome. Is this a reference to Metal Gear Solid/Solid Snake?
Absolutely not!
Who's your favourite Muppet?
My favourite muppet is probably... Beaker. Yeah, him. Beaker!
Do you like sherlock the tv series? Xx
I do, I love it! It stars some of my very good friends, and I think it's amazing.
Since J.J. is also doing Star Wars, any chance you could show up as a Bounty Hunter or Jedi?
Big dan, can't wait for yours and Edgar's next movie!
Yes, I play the part of Dan Solo, Han Solo's younger bother.
Any crazy antics while filming Hector and the Search for Happiness?
Story time!
It was a fairly busy shoot, because we went all over the world. There were antics a-plenty. But I think it'd be difficult to relate a particular one. And have it be as crazy as it was for me. Again, you have to be there.
Favourite Beer? Favourite Pokemon?
I don't drink beer. And I don't watch Pokemon.
What's your favourite football team?
I don't like football either!
Huge fan of your work!
I feel like your horror tropes work on so many levels because they take themselves seriously enough to never devolve into something akin to "Scary Movie" or nonsense like that. What do you do to try and find that comedic line between silly and scary?
Also, you've done zombies and aliens. Any interest in a Lovecraft style movie? It feels like a treasure trove of source material that would go well with your style.
Yes, if something came along that tickled my fancy, absolutely!
Hi Simon! Hot Fuzz is my family's favorite movie. We quote it obsessively. But we also love the Star Trek reboot. My question for you is: Which do you enjoy more as an actor: comedy, action or sci fi? And which do you enjoy more as a viewer? Thank you so much for giving us hours of enjoyment! <3
Ehm - I don't really go by genre, particularly. It's usually about the script, and whatever that says or the way that it says it. I mean, I love all those things, but I don't really prefer any one type of thing. It's not that easy. Oh, I don't know. That's quite a generic question.
What film would you recommend people may not know about?
And you met George Romero , Ever meet Sam Raimi or Bruce Campbell?
There's a great british film which you should know about called Withnail and I. And every human being should see that film. I've met Sam, and I'm friends with Bruce on Twitter. They're great people.
Hey Simon,
You're now forced to do your own stunt for a movie scene.
Do you choose to be lit on fire and fall out a five story window?
Or do you choose to crash a speeding car into water and swim out the window?
I would do... I would jump out of a window on-fire, and then land in a speeding car, and then end up in some water. I'd do them all at the same time.
Is Nick as cuddly and wonderful as he looks?
YES!!!!!
Hi Simon. What would be your last meal of choice if the world was to end in a few hours? I like your movies.
Eh - probably a gigantic lamb tagine.
Hey Simon, If Hot Fuzz 2 becomes more than just an idea, can I be an extra?
Hot Fuzz 2 isn't even an idea.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? And what would your costume consist of?
I would like to have the power to clone myself because it would make promoting movies so much easier. And then I could stay home. My costume would be... MC hammer trousers, and a very tight t-shirt.
Mr. Pegg!! I'm such a huge fan of you in general, At World's End was the last film I watched with my best friend before he left for school out of state (wonderful memory successfully created).
My question is if you had the opportunity to film a martial arts movie with Donnie Yen as the protagonist and yourself as the antagonist, what absolutely nefarious plan would Donnie be trying to stop you from completing and what would your signature deadly martial art style be?
I have no idea what you just said. You can write that.
Mr. Pegg, sir, I am a huge fan. One of my many favorites is A Fantastic Fear of Everything. It was quite humorous. How do you feel about a turtle named Ichabod? Any suggestions for a better name? I'm looking into buying one.
I think Ichabod is a great name for a turtle.
I think you should also consider "Wesley."
Would you ever do a pirate movie and would it be called Pegg Leg's Pay Day?
YES and YES!
Hi Simon, how's it going? What is your favorite Harry Potter character? Thanks for doing this AMA!
I was always a huge fan of Professor Remus Lupin, the erstwhile defense agains the Dark Arts teacher and werewolf.
Hello Simon. I am in the shittiest period of my life, so i come to you for advice. How do you keep going when times get tough?
You have to be certain that those tough times are only temporary. And you need the tough times to really enjoy the good times. Because if everything's easy, life's very bland. So just be as tough as you can be, and get through it, know that things will get better, and good stuff is waiting on the other side.