Latest news with #Pegg
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Ready for the apocalypse
Actor Nick Frost is ready for the end of days, he tells Tim Lewis. Nick Frost isn't messing around. "Could I have two double espressos," he says, when we meet on the dot of 10am. "So, like, four espressos." We are in a cafe, the Pheasantry, in Bushy Park, southwest London. The park, across the way from Hampton Court Palace, has been a hunting ground for kings, the spot where General Dwight Eisenhower plotted the D-Day landings from a tent and, latterly, the birthplace of Parkrun. But Frost, the 53-year-old British actor, sees other potential for this bucolic parkland now abundant with deer and protected anthills. "When me and Simon" — that's Pegg, actor and frequent Frost collaborator — "used to live together, we always had places we'd go should the zombie apocalypse actually happen", he says, necking the first of the espressos. "We had lots of rules and plans, and the Pheasantry falls into that because there's a fence all the way around. A really good fence. And you could easily cultivate the land that's here and live in this structure." With stern-faced suspicion, Frost scans the light-filled room, mainly filled with tired-looking new mums and retirees nursing a midweek cappuccino. "So this is a great zombie fallback." There are maaaaany possible follow-up questions, but I go with: where else have you identified as a decent apocalypse refuge? "Another place is Twickenham stadium because, again, it's completely fenced in," he says, the second double espresso bolted. "And you could turn the pitch — not that I've over-thought this — into quarters: one would be for grazing livestock; I'd have an orchard in another; wheat or corn, etc, in the third; then I'd leave one fallow for each season. Then just rotate. And I'd live in, like, Vodafone's executive box." Overthinking is one of Frost's defining traits, and makes him a highly entertaining, unpredictable person to spend an hour or so with. It is also very on-brand for him to spend his downtime obsessing over what would happen if the human race were faced with imminent, violent extinction. Frost has one of the great, accidental origin stories in acting. For most of his 20s he worked in Chiquito's, a Mexican chain on London's North Circular, first as a waiter and later as a line cook. A random meeting with Pegg, whose girlfriend worked in the restaurant, led first to a flat-share and then the cult TV series Spaced , written by Pegg and Jessica Hynes, and then Shaun of the Dead , a comedy about friends who have to problem-solve their way out of — yep — a zombie apocalypse, both of which Frost, laconically, starred in. "Even when I was 28, 29, when we were just starting to do Spaced , I had no plan at all," recalls Frost. "Like, I just did a thing. Another thing turned up, and I did that. I went back to waitering after Spaced." Frost's involvement, with Pegg and the director Edgar Wright, in the Cornetto trilogy — Shaun of the Dead , Hot Fuzz and The World's End — is enough to guarantee him life membership in the British film pantheon. But he's clearly a grafter: alongside his prolific work in movies and TV, he's written a pair of screenplays and a couple of books. The first, Truth, Half Truths and Little White Lies , was a memoir, telling his chaotic life story until he landed Spaced ; the second, A Slice of Fried Gold , was nominally a cookbook, interspersed with haphazard reflections from his life and career, but much more unhinged and poignant than that sounds. Frost also makes and sells paintings. "People think, because you made Shaun of the Dead , you're a billionaire," he says. "The money you get paid for a film is ... it's not forever. I work because a) I like it, but b) I have to, like everyone." Every three months or so, Frost will receive a royalty cheque from his acting work. He makes a great ceremony of gathering the family — his partner Hayley, their son and daughter, aged 6 and 4, and his teenage son from a previous relationship — for the reveal. "Everyone crowds around to see me opening it," he says. "And I always pretend: 'We've done it! We've done it!' And it's £35." Still, playing the long game seems to be paying off. Frost recently landed two of the starriest roles of his career: first up, he is Gobber the Belch, the wise-cracking blacksmith, in the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon , the Cressida Cowell series that became an acclaimed animated trilogy. Then — even bigger — he is about to start shooting HBO's TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, with each of the seven books luxuriating in its own eight-episode season. Frost was recently unveiled as Rubeus Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper originally played in the films by Robbie Coltrane. The news still seems to be sinking in. "Both projects are in genres that I have loved my whole life, in terms of fantasy and wizards and witchcraft," he says. "Especially Harry Potter. It's like ... I'm f...... Hagrid!" We'll come back to all that, but first there's the tumultuous past few years to process — what Frost calls "the big bang" of his life. The cafe has been descended on by a throng of runners and dog-walkers, so we decide to stretch our legs in the garden. It's an idyllic morning: rows of goslings waddle in front of us. But his survival instincts never leave high alert. "See, you're fenced in, so you're safe," he says, surveying the Pheasantry's lush lawns, "lots of rabbits as well". Frost, who today wears a velour Sergio Tacchini top, blue cords and Asics running shoes, looks great, and that's part of the story. "Six years ago I stopped taking any kind of drink or mind-bending substance," he says. That went OK, but he started to find that he was swapping those dependencies for over-indulging in food, and his weight crept up to 35 stone. "Food had been my first addiction when I was 10," Frost says. This was the year his 18-year-old sister died of an asthma attack. "And I realised that it's fine to stop all that sh.. [drink and drugs]. But then going in the car and parking down by the river when it was nighttime and eating a tier of a wedding cake, that's going to f...... kill you, as well." Frost accepted he needed a more drastic overhaul. "Just a realisation that I would die," he says, matter-of-factly. "And a realisation that I had very young children, and this is how I am, and they're going to be left without a dad. It was like, 'What the f... are you doing, you nutter?'." Some of the changes are physical — Frost had his knee replaced last year and now regularly cycles loops of Bushy Park — and others are mental. When he was 47, about the time he was giving up drink and drugs, he was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, PTSD, dyslexia and anxiety disorders. That knowledge has been helpful to Frost and those close to him for explaining some of his more esoteric behaviours: say, rewatching old episodes of chef Rick Stein's TV shows. "I read a thing about manifesting," Frost says, referring to the time he was waiting to hear about Harry Potter. "And I thought, 'Let's write the word Hagrid down as many times I can'. And I wrote it down 5000 times. But rereading it back, my dyslexia took over at some point, and I didn't realise that for 2000 of them, I'd been writing 'Hadridge', I was spelling it completely wrong. So I'm still waiting to get the call to say, 'Nick, you're Hadridge, you've got it'."' The Hagrid announcement in April was, in some ways, bittersweet for Frost. He had to disable comments on his triumphant Instagram post after criticism came from trans-rights supporters that he would collaborate with Rowling, an executive producer on the new show and vocal gender-critical campaigner. "She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form," Frost says. Does he worry that the debate might overshadow the series? "I don't know," he replies. "But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves." We're back at Frost's car — surprisingly tidy for someone with young children — and he offers me a ride to the station. We talk about his tattoos, which he started getting compulsively after his father died, when Frost was 39. "The San Quentin sketchbook," he says, smiling, "the sh....., the better". One tattoo comes up repeatedly in our conversation: wobbly, ink-black writing on his forearm reads "Poor Old Me", a reminder to Frost to count his blessings, of which, he acknowledges, there are a multitude right now. As the car pulls into the station, Frost says, "I hate the word 'legacy', but there's always a part of me that wants to be remembered when I die. That's why I want to be buried, so I've got a little headstone somewhere. I write in the cookbook that the only thing I've got of my mum's was a f...... spoon. That's it. And I think, 'I'd want to be more than a spoon'." — The Observer
Perth Now
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Simon Pegg 'relishes' the anonymity that comes with living in the countryside
Simon Pegg "relishes" the anonymity that comes with living in the countryside. The 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' star moved to Hertfordshire from London's Crouch End 13 years ago, and he admits it was the best decision he made, because he can lead a "normal life" and not feel "constantly looked at". He told Rolling Stone UK magazine: "The thing I relish the most is being at home, and the familiarity of dog walks on a Saturday is nice. "I really love living in the countryside. "It's quiet, it's beautiful and it's normal." Asked if he loves the anonymity it gives him, Pegg - who has daughter Matilda, 16, with his wife Maureen McCann - replied: "One hundred per cent. "I used to live in Crouch End before we moved here, and I was basically living on the set of 'Shaun of the Dead'. "Everybody was really nice, and I never suffered any hassle, but I felt visible, and I couldn't really go into any shop or a restaurant without the feeling I was being constantly looked at, and that is of course a residual effect of doing a job which puts you in the public eye, and you have to be prepared for that. "But you can also mitigate that if it gets a bit overwhelming, and going out to live on a road where no one else lives was a pretty good way of doing that." The 55-year-old actor has suffered bouts of depression since he was 18, and the actor previously opened up about how he initially struggled to cope when he made the switch to Hollywood in 2005. He shared: "I was not in a good place, emotionally and physically. "It was a weird thing as well, because the dreams I'd had as a kid were manifesting and I wasn't happy and I couldn't figure out why. And that was down to personal things, depression. I had to get happy in myself before I could start enjoying anything else. Which I did. "But at that time it was very frustrating to be there and not be able to fully enjoy it, because I just felt all at sea." Pegg has found a sense of peace and happiness in recent years. However, the actor believes that his "demons" are always lurking in the background. Pegg - whose film credits include 'Hot Fuzz' and 'Shaun of the Dead' - previously told GQ magazine: "What I have come to realise from back then is that depression is always there. No matter what I did. "I don't think you ever really lose your demons. You just try to find a way to keep them in their place."
Evening Standard
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Mission Impossible's Simon Pegg: Police sometimes let me off because of Hot Fuzz
Speaking to the radio station as part of the latest Mission Impossible promotional tour, Pegg said: 'Do you know what, I got done for speeding in the UK by a police officer because I was listening to the Fallout soundtrack, and I was behind the wheel just gunning it up the A1 in the UK and I got pulled over.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Will Tom Cruise Finally Make a Bollywood Film? Mission: Impossible Stars Dream of India
A car chase in Mumbai, maybe a motorcycle one or just a a scooter caper through jammed streets. And a visit hopefully soon. For the "Mission: Impossible" cast, an India trip ranks high on the checklist of things to do. So, if Isai Morales, the villain in the just released "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning", hopes to come to India this summer itself, co-star Simon Pegg says he would love to visit them all, the cities and its beaches, and Hayley Atwell speaks of her love for Indian food. "I was really disappointed when we did 'Ghost Protocol' in 2011 because there was a section of the movie which was set in India. And I know Tom (Cruise) went out there and he had some amazing pictures taken next to the Taj Mahal," Pegg, who plays tech whiz Benji Dunn in the spy movie series, told PTI in a virtual interview. "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is the eighth and possibly the final instalment of the franchise which started with 1996's "Mission: Impossible". The lead star in all eight has been Cruise, whose role as spy agent Ethan Hunt has worldwide fan following. Where would Pegg like to film a future instalment of the franchise, known for its many high-octane action sequences often shot in exotic locations? Keen to visit India and thinking of ways to get here, the British actor responded, "Maybe a car chase through Mumbai. Is it possible to have a car chase in Mumbai or would it just be like a traffic jam?" His co-star Greg Tarzan Davis chimed in, saying a car chase in Mumbai would be "insane". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fuori tutto Ariel climatizzatori: prendi 2 paghi 1 Ariel Energia Scopri di più Undo Actor Pom Klementieff added, "It would have to be a motorcycle chase. They have a lot motorcycles there." To this, Pegg said, "Maybe a scooter chase then." Atwell and Morales echoed them. "I've never been to India. I would love the opportunity to work there. I love Indian food. We have some incredible Indian restaurants in London," Atwell, who plays the role of thief-turned-spy Grace, told PTI in a separate interview. "I may go there soon.. I may go there this summer if the stars aligned," added Morales. "The Final Reckoning" sees Hunt racing against time to stop a rogue AI known as 'The Entity' from gaining total control over the world's digital infrastructure and starting a nuclear war among the nations. It is a sequel to 2023's "Dead Reckoning". Cruise, who has headlined all the "Mission: Impossible" films since the first chapter in 1996, also recalled visiting India for "Ghost Protocol" promotions. "I feel so much love for India. India is an amazing country, people, and culture. I have to say the whole experience has been etched in my memory. Every single moment. From the moment I landed, going to the Taj Mahal, and spending time in Mumbai, I remember each moment quite vividly," the Hollywood superstar said in a promotional clip released by Paramount Pictures India last week. Cruise also expressed his wish to make a Bollywood-style film , especially one with song and dance sequences. "I love it when in a scene someone suddenly breaks into a song. I love it. It's something that I have grown up watching - musicals from different countries. I love Bollywood movies. You can just break out into a song, it's so beautiful. I love dancing, singing, and the actors. That is such a unique experience and craftsmanship of the actors to be able to sing, dance, and act," he said. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Do the Mission: Impossible cast really think Final Reckoning is the last movie?
The newest Mission: Impossible film, subtitled The Final Reckoning, is largely being seen as the last movie of the franchise, but the door has been left open for more. With the possibility there, the cast tell Yahoo UK they are ready and willing to get back in the saddle should Tom Cruise ask. Angela Bassett, who returns as Erika Sloane after first joining the franchise in Fallout, said she'd "take him up" on the offer and would "join in again" if the opportunity presented itself, the same went for both Simon Pegg and Pom Klementieff. "I love the character and I love the franchise," Klementieff explains. "I love everyone that I worked with so yea, absolutely." Pegg mirrored her sentiment as he added: "Any chance to to get back into those characters I'd take it." Bassett joked that even though The Final Reckoning seems like it'd be the last film, she's not convinced it actually will be: "I felt that too, is it really the final? Final but not the end." Greg Tarzan Davis, who plays agent Degas, took a different approach when asked about the franchise returning in the future because he felt The Final Reckoning was the perfect way to end things: "I think we put a nice bow at the end of this film. I think it wrapped up all of the films that came before it and it's an honour to be a part of it. "If Tom, in a theoretical world, if he says, 'hey guys I have this great story, this great idea I'd love for you all to come back', I can speak for all of us when I say I think we'd say yeah because, one, we all enjoy making films with Tom — we love making films, especially practical films — and we all love each other. "So to get a chance to work together again, I mean, that would be amazing. It's kind of sad to think that we're going to all be part ways and be doing our own thing." The Final Reckoning still gives the actors a lot to work with when it comes to their characters, especially Pegg's Benji who finds himself made the team's leader by Cruise's Hunt. For the Shaun of the Dead star it felt like a full circle moment for his character. "It was great because it felt like it was the right moment," he explains. "We'd spent 6 movies growing Benji and evolving him, becoming more capable and more experienced, and braver. And it just felt like this was the moment to do that, it was lovely and what an amazing team I had to lead." The actor will be taking "20 years of memories" with him in the meantime, which is a sentiment shared by all of his co-stars who feel they've learned a lot during their time with Cruise. "We've all asked for advice about professionalism and the business but the technical side of filmmaking too," Atwell reflects. "I think over time you get a sense of really what it takes to implement that advice, and his day-to-day dedication and commitment to always studying and pushing further, and asking more from himself, I think that it becomes contagious and very inspiring to be around." Davis agreed, adding: "Filmmaking is one of the key things and understanding that the audience comes first over any selfish thing that we have, like 'oh, I'm this actor and I just want to look good'. No, you want to serve the story which serves the audience, they're coming watch this performance, this story that we put on, so we want to make sure that we're giving them the appropriate respect to entertain them." The actor was first taken under Cruise's wing when he appeared in Top Gun: Maverick as one of the young recruits that Pete "Maverick" Mitchell has to train over the course of the film, and Davis adds that he is incredible grateful to Cruise for supporting him so fully in his burgeoning career. "Just starting out my career and having somebody like Tom to be a mentor to me has been a blessing," he says. "I couldn't have asked for one of the greatest starts for my career, hopefully I can sustain this — that's what I'm trying to do. "But it's been cool because I've had the example of cutting out what could have been bad examples from other people that may not [have] the same mindset Tom has, and just taking what he has taught me to heart and ingraining that in me... I'm looking forward to applying this this knowledge that he's giving me to my career in the future." The possibility of more films in the franchise will likely depend on how well the film does at the box office, and the film has strong competition in the form of Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. But Bassett says that Cruise doesn't see it that way. "I love it, and you know what? Tom loves it too," she says of both films being released on the same day. "Because he loves movies so he says that's the only place he does not believe that there is competition. "Not in the cinema, there is no such thing. It's a beautiful way to express it and to look at it, you know? And it's true. In my house there is never like, 'OK, who's going out to which film?' We don't have that." Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning premieres in UK cinemas on Wednesday, 21 May.
