Transcript

Edgar Wright | SmartLess

From SmartLess · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 2 min · 13,533 words · 301 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Edgar Wright | SmartLess", an episode of SmartLess published October 20, 2025 (1 h 2 min, about 13,533 words). It mentions 148 people, works and ideas, including Curtis Wayne Wright, Edgar, The Running Man, Shaun of the Dead, Positive Sean.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: The Thing, Shaun of the Dead, Shawn of the Dead, Will Arnett
  2. – 20:00: Halloween, Comet Relief, The Thing, Wild at Heart
  3. – 30:00: Nick Frost, Spaced, Spaced, Simon Peg
  4. – 40:00: Baby Driver, Baby Driver, Baby Driver, The Thing
  5. – 50:00: The Running Man, The Running Man, Connie Stephen, Baby Driver
  6. – 1:00:00: The Running Man, Baby Driver, The Running Man, Baby Driver
  7. – 1:02:25: Michael Grant Terry, SmartLess

Notable quotes from "Edgar Wright | SmartLess"

  • Sean,, you're, adjusting, back, to, being, in Southern California.
    about Positive Sean · at
  • I, knew, it., Edgar,, I, knew, it., God,, it's so funny. I was talking about you yesterday with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were Have you ever…
    about Shaun of the Dead · at
  • This is my idea of a perfect movie cuz as and I love you and I love that film and it's so it's still, so, Oh,, you, know what, we, were talking about? How brilliantly you had…
    about Shaun of the Dead · at
  • Edgar, I love that the in my notes it says you made a clay animation when you got that camera about wheelchair clay.
    about Edgar · at
  • Lights on for me. Thank you. There's motion sensors. I'm in I'm in the I'm in a conference room. I'm actually mixing The Running Man right now. It is not It is not finished.…
    about Curtis Wayne Wright · at
  • To them, we're going to get to the last thing I wanted to say before we get to that is Baby Driver cuz Baby Driver is one, of my, favorite, movies, of, all, time and seen it so…
    about Baby Driver · at
  • And, what, drew, you, to, it, for, people who don't know for Tracy, there was a Running Man movie in the 80s with Arnold Schwarzenegger. And it's I did not Richard, Dawson.
    about The Running Man · at
  • Usually the times when the crew really bond over something is like you and Baby Driver like the opening credits of the film is like a threeinut take and with lots of…
    about Baby Driver · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Curtis Wayne Wright — Person · Main guest · 1 mention · first at
    Primary interview subject; discusses his filmmaking origins, collaborations (Spaced/Cornetto trilogy), and his then-in-progress film adaptation of The Running Man.
  • Edgar — Person · Main guest · 1 mention · first at
    Primary interview guest — film director discussing career, influences, and current film The Running Man.
  • Positive Sean — Person · Co-host · 1 mention · first at
    Podcast co-host engaging with guest; participates in conversation and anecdotes.
  • Simon Peg — Person · Referenced collaborator · 6 mentions · first at
    Frequently referenced actor/collaborator (Simon Pegg) — co-creator/lead on Spaced and collaborator on multiple projects.
    Really original and really funny to go and watch Spaced with that you directed with the great Simon Peg and Nick Frost.
  • Nick Frost — Person · Referenced collaborator · 5 mentions · first at
    Actor frequently mentioned as part of Edgar's core ensemble (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Cornetto trilogy).
    Kept doing this on Shaun of the Dead that I would sometimes give him a direction and Nick Frost would walk up to me and whisper in my ear say, Please remember I am not an actor.
  • Connie Stephen — Person · Referenced author · 3 mentions · first at
    Author of The Running Man (as Richard Bachman); cited as gateway author for Edgar's reading during youth.
    Because I' I'd read the book as a teenager. I think probably like a lot of people, Stephen King was a real gateway author for me in the sense of I was reading his books in my…
  • Will Arnett — Person · Host / Co-host acquaintance · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned by hosts as friend/frequent collaborator in anecdotes; discussed by guest re: early support.
    To have a region free player. And I came to the Arrested Development set and I went to Will's trailer and Will, you had inside of your trailer, you had the DVD cover of Space photocopied and plastered absolutely everywhere.
  • Jessica Hines — Person · Collaborator (Spaced co-creator/actress) · 2 mentions · first at
    Co-writer/actor on Spaced; referenced by Edgar as part of the early team.
    21. And then a, couple, of, years, later, I, wor, with, Simon Peg and Jessica Hines for the first time. And then Spaced, I was 24 when I did Spaced, which seems crazy. That's amazing.
  • Richard Bachman — Person · Author pseudonym · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as Stephen King's pseudonym under which The Running Man was published.
    Yeah,, it, was, it, was, one, of, the, books he wrote under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. He wrote like five novels before he got rumbled, maybe four novels before he got rumbled as Richard.
  • Edgar's brother Oscar — Person · Collaborator (crew) · 1 mention · first at
    Edgar's older brother Oscar worked on Edgar's movies and was met on set of The Running Man.
    And he's worked on all of my movies as well, so he's he's amazing.
  • Coleman Domingo — Person · Cast member (The Running Man) · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned among cast of The Running Man.
    Coleman, Domingo,, Michael, Sarah., Michael Sarah. There we go. Sarah, your other colleague.
  • Amy [last name or role to be added] — Person · Guest/participant (needs disambiguation) · 1 mention
    Ambiguity detected; needs disambiguation to distinguish from other Ames/Amy mentions and to link to transcript usage
  • Josh Brolin — Person · 26 mentions
  • Daniel Lewis — Person · Referenced friend · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as a British guest and mutual friend the hosts and guest know and like.
    Yes., He's, a, very, good, friend, and, I, love him. And you guys love Daniel, Lewis.
  • Michael C. Sarah — Person · Cast member (The Running Man) / referenced musician partner (unclear) · 1 mention · first at
    Name appears in cast listing context (possible mis-transcription of 'Michael C. Hall' / 'Julia ...'). Mentioned among people in The Running Man.
    Okay., Sure., and, Julia, [ __ ], your amazing girlfriend who's this she was in the scene with me and, I, love, her, and, she, is, an incredible singer and I love her music.
  • Beck [full name or role to be added] — Person · Guest/participant (needs disambiguation) · 1 mention
    Ambiguity detected; Beck could be a surname, given name, or reference; requires explicit identity
  • Simon Pegg — Person · 36 mentions
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    And, what, drew, you, to, it, for, people who don't know for Tracy, there was a Running Man movie in the 80s with Arnold Schwarzenegger. And it's I did not Richard, Dawson.
  • Marx Brothers — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    Arrested Development was one of the biggest joke delivery machines on TV. It had the kind of speed of a Marx Brothers film. And that was the thing that I think when me and…
  • Daniel Lewis — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Yes., He's, a, very, good, friend, and, I, love him. And you guys love Daniel, Lewis.
  • James Gray — Person · 1 mention · first at
    I, know., How, did, you, get that, easy, to, pinpoint you, Quinton or James Gray?
  • Joe Dante — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Sort of growing up in the 80s of people that meant a lot to me were like John, Carpenter, Joe, Dante, John, Landis, and then when I was like in my maybe about 15 I think there…
  • John Carpenter — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Sort of growing up in the 80s of people that meant a lot to me were like John, Carpenter, Joe, Dante, John, Landis, and then when I was like in my maybe about 15 I think there…
  • John Landis — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Sort of growing up in the 80s of people that meant a lot to me were like John, Carpenter, Joe, Dante, John, Landis, and then when I was like in my maybe about 15 I think there…
  • Three Stooges — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Oh,, it's, fun., It's, a, blast., It's, kind, of like they just decided, let's remake the first film and put more Three Stooges in it.
  • Matt Lucas — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Released in a cinema one screen but I but through that I got into TV. It was first through like Matt Lucas and David Williams. They were doing a cable show and I was directing…
  • Bob Einstein — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Been a season 3 episode. I don't remember which one it was, but I remember Bob Einstein was in it and I went on set. But I remember Will, you did this prank that when I came to…
  • James Lance — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Might be actors around. In fact, the only actor that's in it who's and if you from Ted Lasso, James Lance is in the movie. And the only reason that he's in the movie is that he…
  • Michelle Gondry — Person · 1 mention · first at
    The same way it was which is a real shame because obviously there are some music, videos, well, Michelle Gondry they're like works of art they belong in a museum they're…
  • Alan Partridge — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Over in like 20 years ago but prior to that there'd be things like the dayto-day and Brass Eye and Alan Partridge and Brilliant th, those, shows, were, huge, for, me.
  • Michael Ball — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Somebody read the pages at the end of the day but you know obviously with writing with Simon Peg or Michael Ball or Joe Cornish you know like immediate feedback hanging off…
  • Joe Cornish — Person · 1 mention · first at
    The day but you know obviously with writing with Simon Peg or Michael Ball or Joe Cornish you know like immediate feedback hanging off each other. Yeah because if you write something, you're Oh, this is kind of a funny bit.
  • Richard Dawson — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Running Man movie in the 80s with Arnold Schwarzenegger. And it's I did not Richard, Dawson.
  • Richard Bachman — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah,, it, was, it, was, one, of, the, books he wrote under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. He wrote like five novels before he got rumbled, maybe four novels before he got rumbled as Richard Bachman. It was this pseudonym that he.
  • Coleman Domingo — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Coleman, Domingo,, Michael, Sarah., Michael Sarah. There we go. Sarah, your other colleague.
  • Amelia Jones — Person · 1 mention · first at
    First, time, we, worked, together, since Scott Pilgrim. Amelia Jones, Jamie Lawson. Shawn Hayes is in the movie.
  • John Lee — Person · 1 mention · first at
    John Lee, they did it. It is a absolutely You want to talk about wallto-wall jokes. There's nothing else but jokes.
  • James Dean — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Giant. You to you a couple years ago you're like Let's go see Giant with Rock Hudson and James Dean at, the, Vista.
  • Rock Hudson — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Giant. You to you a couple years ago you're like Let's go see Giant with Rock Hudson and James Dean at, the, Vista.
  • Michael Grant Terry — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Smartless, is, 100%, organic, and, artisally handcrafted by Bennett Barbco, Michael Grant, Terry, and Rob Armjarf.

Books & papers

  • The Running Man — Book · Referenced work / Source material · 10 mentions · first at
    Original Stephen King novel (as Richard Bachman) referenced as the source inspiration for Edgar's new film adaptation.
    Loose adaptation of the books which is one of the things that attracted me because I' I'd read the book as a teenager. I think probably like a lot of people, Stephen King was a…
  • Fistful of Fingers — Book · Referenced work · 2 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's early low-budget film project discussed in the context of his career beginnings.
    Industry. I had made a film when I was 20. I went to art college for two years and then I made a really lowbudget film called a fist full of fingers that was shot on 16 mil which cost like 30 grand total.
  • The Thing — Book · 11 mentions · first at
    That's, the, thing, I, get, offended, by.
  • Baby Driver — Book · 7 mentions · first at
    To them, we're going to get to the last thing I wanted to say before we get to that is Baby Driver cuz Baby Driver is one, of my, favorite, movies, of, all, time and seen it so…
  • Spaced — Book · 6 mentions · first at
    Just such a example of a really great show, great writing, great directing great acting which is spaced and is not as heralded as it should be. And I urge anybody who wants to…
  • Shaun of the Dead — Book · 5 mentions · first at
    And this will appeal to you guys because this is also this was in the way that you showed Shaun of the Dead to your kids. This was a film that was dear to me when I was too…
  • Black Rabbit — Book · 3 mentions · first at
    I, watched, episode, five, last, night, of Black Rabbit.
  • Hot Fuzz — Book · 3 mentions · first at
    Yesterday with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were Have you ever seen Hot Fuzz? I was like Guys, I am decades ahead of you. Have I seen hot before, they, were, born?
  • Arrested Development — Book · 3 mentions · first at
    Because I remember something that you did because I came and visited the set of Arrested Development. It must have been a season 3 episode. I don't remember which one it was…
  • Wild at Heart — Book · 2 mentions · first at
    And, but, but, I, went, as, Bobby, Peru, from Wild at Heart.
  • It's Your Move — Book · 2 mentions · first at
    But Jason in the UK in the sort of mid80s they actually showed and I was a fan of It's Your Move. Oh yeah, it's, true., And, I, remember, specifically, and I've mentioned this to you before the episode that I remember, and this.
  • The Young Ones — Book · 2 mentions · first at
    But, I, think, the, the, first, one, that, made a really big impact on me, which is more of a culty show in the States, was The Young Ones which, was, only, 12, episodes…
  • Friday the 13th — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Brother to watch things that were like sci-fi related, but something like Halloween or Friday the 13th would be off the table. But Alien and The Thing were okay because they had a sort of fantasy sci-fi element.
  • The Exorcist 3 — Book · 1 mention · first at
    What, about, The, Exorcist?, I, can't, believe I was allowed to see that.
  • Weapons — Book · 1 mention · first at
    What, about, What, about, Have, you, seen Weapons? Weapons is about kids that disappear. I love that movie. Would you let kids go see that?
  • Aliens — Book · 1 mention · first at
    The films I got into and I remember the films I didn't get into. Like I couldn't get into Aliens. I couldn't get into The Fly.
  • The Fly — Book · 1 mention · first at
    The films I got into and I remember the films I didn't get into. Like I couldn't get into Aliens. I couldn't get into The Fly.
  • Gremlins — Book · 1 mention · first at
    One time though, I tell you the first 15 I ever got into was Gremlins was rated 15 in the UK.
  • Blind Applause — Book · 1 mention · first at
    In, the, Blind, Applause., Yeah.
  • Raising Arizona — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Then when I was like in my maybe about 15 I think there was the year that I saw Raising Arizona by the Cohen brothers and Evil Dead 2 by Sam Ramy in, quick, succession., And…
  • Look Around You — Book · 1 mention · first at
    It, was, it, was, it, was, through, all, that and then look around you and you really opened my eyes actually. You kind of in addition to space so many of the other things. you were really my entree to stuff because we didn't, as.
  • The Dregs of Humanity — Book · 1 mention · first at
    The, dregs, of, humanity., And, then, you, have fake skeletons.
  • Ted Lasso — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Might be actors around. In fact, the only actor that's in it who's and if you from Ted Lasso, James Lance is in the movie. And the only reason that he's in the movie is that he…
  • The World's End — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Spaced, you did what's known as the Cornetto trilogy now, which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End with your friends. it's a dream for everybody to just kind…
  • Asylum — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Version of Comedy Central, the Paramount Comedy Channel at the time. And there was a show called Asylum and I got asked to direct it and Simon Peg was in it and he brought…
  • Bell Bottoms — Book · 1 mention · first at
    For, maybe, 20, years, before, I, made, it where it was that song that opens the movie Bell Bottoms by the John Spencer Blues Explosion. I would like hear the song and I would…
  • Faulty Towers — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Was repeated a lot. So that would be something Faulty, Towers.
  • Are You Being Served? — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Were on TV when I was, like things like 40 Towers and Monty Python was slightly before my Are You Being Served was always on.
  • Brass Eye — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Over in like 20 years ago but prior to that there'd be things like the dayto-day and Brass Eye and Alan Partridge and Brilliant th, those, shows, were, huge, for, me.
  • Scott Pilgrim — Book · 1 mention · first at
    First, time, we, worked, together, since Scott Pilgrim. Amelia Jones, Jamie Lawson. Shawn Hayes is in the movie.
  • Airplane! — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Films I shouldn't Abraham Zucker. I shouldn't leave Jim Abrams out. but you know things like Airplane and Top Secret, those films are huge for me. the, Python, movies,, the, Marx, Brothers, like just like I just I don't know how.
  • Top Secret! — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Films I shouldn't Abraham Zucker. I shouldn't leave Jim Abrams out. but you know things like Airplane and Top Secret, those films are huge for me. the, Python, movies,, the, Marx, Brothers, like just like I just I don't know how.
  • Monkey Business — Book · 1 mention · first at
    The, Python, movies,, the, Marx, Brothers, like just like I just I don't know how many times I've watched Monkey Business and Duck Soup.
  • Duck Soup — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Like just like I just I don't know how many times I've watched Monkey Business and Duck Soup.
  • A Fistful of Fingers — Book · 1 mention
  • Alien — Book · 1 mention
  • American Werewolf in London — Book · 1 mention
  • Evil Dead II — Book · 1 mention
  • Giant — Book · 1 mention
  • Ozark — Book · 1 mention

Companies & orgs

  • Trader Joe's — Company · Incidental mention · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in passing as where a pumpkin cake was purchased.
    No, I bought it from Trader Joe's.
  • SmartLess — Company · 2 mentions · first at
    We're talking about stuff that people like life, life, like life. It's smartless.
  • Channel 4 — Company · 2 mentions · first at
    Did this prank that when I came to So Space was this sitcom that I did on Channel 4, which is one of the main channels in the UK and it was out on DVD, but you couldn't get it…
  • Comic Relief — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Thing about the lack of wheelchair ramps in the cinema. So I did like I did an animation about it for comic relief.
  • Spotlight — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Was a what's the version of ZAG in the UK is like the spotlight which is like the kind of actors union and, there, was, another, actor, called Nick Frost in the union.
  • Chaquitos — Company · 1 mention · first at
    He, worked, at, a, Mexican, restaurant,, which is not really a thing in the UK, as you probably know. called Chaquitos. I remember he wasn't he'd never acted before and he…
  • Paramount Comedy Channel — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Started doing TV and I did this TV show on like the I guess the British version of Comedy Central, the Paramount Comedy Channel at the time. And there was a show called Asylum…
  • Monty Python — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Faulty, Towers., I, mean,, the, ones, that were on TV when I was, like things like 40 Towers and Monty Python was slightly before my Are You Being Served was always on.
  • Adult Swim — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Bill, Hater, loves, it,, too., And, and I, didn't, a, lot, of, the, adult, swim shows never made it over to the UK. Like the, guys, who, did, wonder, shows, and, Oh,, yeah., I, have, seen, that.
  • BBC — Company · 1 mention
  • The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion — Company · 1 mention
  • The League of Gentlemen — Company · 1 mention
  • The Mighty Boosh — Company · 1 mention

Products & tech

  • Baby Driver — Product · Case study · 9 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's film discussed for its unique use of music and action sequences.
  • Shaun of the Dead — Product · Case study · 6 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's film discussed as an example of his work and influence.
  • Hot Fuzz — Product · Case study · 4 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's film mentioned in the context of his filmmaking style and collaborations.
    I, knew, it., Edgar,, I, knew, it., God,, it's so funny. I was talking about you yesterday with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were Have you ever seen Hot.
  • Fistful of Fingers — Product · Case study · 2 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's early film discussed as part of his career beginnings.
    Fistful, of, fingers., Yeah, it, did, get, it, got, released, at, the, cinema in the UK in like one I say cinemas it released in a cinema one screen but I but through that I got into TV. It was.
  • Beck — Product · Music video collaborator (duplicate entry) · 2 mentions
    Duplicate entity in provided list; same as earlier Beck mention (musician Edgar directed for).
  • Swedish Fish — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Tooth, too, cuz you had Junior Mint sent to the set of Baby Driver. And I go to the lobby and I get a pack of Swedish Fish, finish them. I come and go get another one with…
  • iPad — Product · 1 mention
  • Junior Mints — Product · 1 mention

Concepts & topics

  • Monty Python — Concept · Referenced work · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as an influence on Edgar Wright's comedic style and filmmaking.
    Faulty, Towers., I, mean,, the, ones, that were on TV when I was, like things like 40 Towers and Monty Python was slightly before my Are You Being Served was always on.
  • The Young Ones — Concept · Cultural reference · 2 mentions · first at
    A British TV show that influenced Edgar Wright, mentioned in the context of comedy influences.
    But, I, think, the, the, first, one, that, made a really big impact on me, which is more of a culty show in the States, was The Young Ones which, was, only, 12, episodes…
  • Halloween — Concept · 6 mentions · first at
    Brother to watch things that were like sci-fi related, but something like Halloween or Friday the 13th would be off the table. But Alien and The Thing were okay because they had a sort of fantasy sci-fi element.
  • Cornetto Trilogy — Concept · 2 mentions · first at
    That's, great., So,, so, from, there, after Spaced, you did what's known as the Cornetto trilogy now, which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End with your…
  • Synesthesia — Concept · 1 mention
  • Tinnitus — Concept · 1 mention

Places & events

  • Comet Relief — Event · Referenced event · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as the competition where Edgar Wright won a video camera.
    Yeah., I, mean, I, I, remember, making, I, I, won I won a video camera on the BBC when I was 16. and I'd entered this competition that was part of Comet Relief and I won and I won a video camera which I previously wouldn't have been able to.
  • Be Involved in the Running Man — Event · Referenced production involvement · 2 mentions
    Phrase in transcript referencing participation in the film production (ambiguous entry).
    Uhhuh., Wait,, I, want, to, know, Edgar, I was had the pleasure of meeting Oscar, your older brother, on the set of The Running Man, which we'll get to later.
  • New York, New York — Place · 3 mentions · first at
    I, was, just, saying, I'm, flying, to, New, York next week and I'm and I'm downloading all the episodes and I was going to watch it last night, but Black Rabbit is very intense from everybody that I've.
  • Southern California — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Sean,, you're, adjusting, back, to, being, in Southern California.
  • Venice — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., Yeah,, I, remember, we, all, met, at, a restaurant in Venice or something and that's when Will said, You got to watch this movie, Shawn of the Dead.
  • UK — Place · 1 mention
  • US — Place · 1 mention
  • Vista Theatre — Place · 1 mention

Media & podcasts

  • The Running Man — Media · Main topic · 10 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's novel, discussed extensively in the podcast.
  • Shaun of the Dead — Media · Referenced work · 7 mentions · first at
    Highlighted as a significant film in Edgar Wright's career and a favorite of the hosts.
  • Baby Driver — Media · Referenced work · 7 mentions · first at
    Discussed as one of Edgar Wright's films, with insights into its creation and themes.
  • Shawn of the Dead — Media · Referenced film · 3 mentions · first at
    Shaun of the Dead referenced repeatedly as a seminal film by Edgar and hosts; example of Edgar's work.
    I, knew, it., Edgar,, I, knew, it., God,, it's so funny. I was talking about you yesterday with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were Have you ever…
  • Hot Fuzz — Media · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as part of the Cornetto trilogy and a film Edgar Wright is proud of.
    Yesterday with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were Have you ever seen Hot Fuzz? I was like Guys, I am decades ahead of you. Have I seen hot before, they, were, born?
  • Spaced — Media · Referenced work · 6 mentions · first at
    A TV show directed by Edgar Wright, known for its originality and humor.
    Show, great writing, great directing great acting which is spaced and is not as heralded as it should be. And I urge anybody who wants to watch a show that's really original…
  • Hot Fuzz — Media · Referenced film · 3 mentions · first at
    Part of Edgar's Cornetto Trilogy; referenced as film hosts and guest have seen and recommended.
    That's, great., So,, so, from, there, after Spaced, you did what's known as the Cornetto trilogy now, which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End with your…
  • Fistful of Fingers — Media · Referenced work · 2 mentions · first at
    Edgar Wright's first film, a low-budget project that helped launch his career.
    Fistful, of, fingers., Yeah, it, did, get, it, got, released, at, the, cinema in the UK in like one I say cinemas it released in a cinema one screen but I but through that I got into TV. It was.
  • The Young Ones — Media · Cultural reference · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a significant British comedy show that influenced Edgar Wright.
    But, I, think, the, the, first, one, that, made a really big impact on me, which is more of a culty show in the States, was The Young Ones which, was, only, 12, episodes,, which.
  • The World’s End — Media · Referenced film · 1 mention · first at
    Third film in Cornetto Trilogy referenced as part of Edgar's body of work.
    That's, great., So,, so, from, there, after Spaced, you did what's known as the Cornetto trilogy now, which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End with your…
  • Black Rabbit — Media · Referenced TV show · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned by hosts as a series some are watching; used as conversation starter.
    Next week and I'm and I'm downloading all the episodes and I was going to watch it last night, but Black Rabbit is very intense from everybody that I've heard. It's very…
  • Ozark — Media · Referenced show · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned briefly as a series someone plans to watch; used in casual viewing conversation.
    No,, you, got, to, start, with, Ozark.

Full transcript with timestamps

This is a podcast and we're talking with people about talking. We're talking about stuff. We're talking about life. We're talking about stuff that people like, like like, life, like, life, like, like like life. It's smartless.

Smart less. Smart less. I, watched, episode, five, last, night, of Black Rabbit.

Oh,, Sean,, you, know, what?, You're, such, a good friend. Six,, seven,, eight.

Sorry., Hang, on, one, second., Well,, um, when you I, finished, it, last, night.

Support., Okay. You, did? I, watched, them, all. No,, you, got, to, start, with, Ozark.

No,, sorry., I, did, it., I, did, it., I, got Ozark. I am so close to watching Ozark. I know.

I, know., I, know. Dude,, I'm, so, excited., I, First, of, all,, I close to I'm close to seeing your movie for the third time. Um, but listen

why?, By, the, way,, I, haven't, seen, it. No,, I, know., But, uh, but, you're, an incredibly supportive friend, so no doubt you will.

Oh, yeah,, I'll, see, it. Of, course, I, will., You, know what, I actually did? I actually

No,, no,, sorry., I, was, talking, to, Sean. Oh yeah,, if, that, wasn't, already, clear.

I, I listener, listener,, just, give, us, a second. Go, ahead,, Chewy. What, were, you, going, to, say?

Chewy. Chewy. A, lot, of, I, got, a, I, got, a, lot, of, issues with Will Arnett this morning. Uh

oh. No,, not, really., I, love, Will, Arnett. Well, that's my favorite. I, was, just, saying, I'm, flying, to, New, York next week and I'm and I'm downloading all the episodes and I was going to watch it last night, but Black Rabbit is very intense from everybody that I've heard. It's very intense and I don't like watching I don't watch intense stuff before bed.

Is, that, true? You, quite, literally, don't. You're, going, to, have, to, watch, it, at night because I like low lighting on set. Um, it's really cool.

But, sorry,, your, plan, was, to, watch, it, on a on a laptop there on a computer there on a plane

on, my, on, my, iPad. So,, the, third, time, I, see, your, film,, I'll see it in another movie theater like I did the first two times and really focus.

Is, it, Is, it, a, feature, film, or, is, it, is it a limited series? It's, a, limited, series.

Okay., Thank, you, so, much,, caller. So,, I, thought, maybe, the, least, you, could do is watch it on television at your house.

A, sig, alert., We, got, a, SIG, alert, over, on the 40. It's really good. Can, I, come, and, watch, it, in, your, theater?

You, sure, can. That, would, be, fun., Sean, has, I'm, going, to watch the last two.

Wait,, Sean,, you, watched, it, in, theater. He, watched, the, first, two, in, the, theater. He's going to watch the last two in the theater.

The, last, two., Yeah. But, you, watch, it, there, on, your, What?, You got a 13-inch laptop with Let me just see. You might not have my number. Let me just see.

It, was, while, you, were, out, of, town, and you know Wednesday, Lakeside, open, invite., If, you could if you could somehow get through the first six episodes on your 13-inch laptop, you're welcome to come over for seven and eight with Sean.

Yeah,, let's, do, that. You, think, I'm, on, a, 13-in, laptop? That's, the, worst, thing, you, ever, said, to me.

What, is, it, like, a, 50-in, laptop? That's, the, thing, I, get, offended, by.

Pop, it, open. How, is, everybody, doing?, Uh I'm, doing, really, well. Sean,, you're, adjusting, back, to, being, in in Southern California.

Yeah,, finally., Just, like, the, last, two days. Are, you, off, your, jet, lag, yet?, Yeah,, just like literally the last two days finally finally waking back up at like 4 in the morning like my regular schedule.

It's, been, a, week, over, a, week. I, know. How, many, pounds, have, come, back, onto, your body?

I'm, This, is, a, good, question., Just yesterday I was like, "Wow, I gained four pounds already in a week."

No. Well,, I, mean,, I, don't know, if, it's, just I'm full of whatever, but yeah.

Spaghetti. Yeah. I, mean,, I, just, had, another He's, got, colon, back. You, just, had, a, what?, I, just, had, a, piece of cake uh pumpkin cake with Well because I lost so much weight, I could just eat kind of couple things.

Well,, but, you, what, what, was, happening, as you were losing weight was you were approaching your proper weight. Uh but you said, "No, no, don't get too close. Let's get

Sorry,, Sean., Are, you, drinking, cake, right now? What is that?" Remember, the, cake, shake, from, uh Partillos? Remember?

Oh,, yes. Isn't, that, a, great, idea?, He, grinded, up, a cake and put it in a milkshake. So, it's a cake shake. It was so good.

I, heard, they, got, that, from, an, anonymous tip from Glenn in Illinois. You, know, what, you, ought, to, do.

Put, the, cake, in, the, shake., Yeah. Sh., Did, you, say, you, had, a, piece, of pumpkin cake already this morning? It's not yet. No, it's just past 9:30.

Yeah., A, pumpkin, cake., Huge, piece, of pumpkin cake with my tea. My tea with milk.

Pumpkin, cake., I, want, some, pumpkin, cake. Pumpkin, cake, with, cream, cheese, frosting. It's so good. It tastes like fall.

How, did, you, get, that?, Did, you, make, that? No, I bought it from Trader Joe's.

Remember, when, you, were, making, yummy stuff for a little while last year? I'll, do it., You, want, me, to, do, it, again?

Remember, you, made, a, cheesecake?, I'll, do it. I was sending you recipes from the New York Times

and, I, made, them. Oh, god., Okay,, I'm, going, to, start, sending them. All, right., Well,, you, know,, it's, a, the fact that

Speaking, of, sweet, treats,, go, ahead. Good., Nice., Nice., And, tea., And, tea.

It's, a, British, guest., Yes. Is, it, a, British, guest? Yes., He's, a, very, good, friend, and, I, love him. And you guys love

Daniel, Lewis. And, you, guys, are, friends, with, him,, too. My guest today has been obsessed with movies since he was a kid. His parents dropped him at the cinema

at, the, cinema, because, it, was, cheaper than a babysitter. At 14, he was charging classmates for his homemade action films, working supermarket jobs to buy realels, staying up till 3:00 a.m. for late night horror. When he finally got his

When, he, finally, got, his, first, VCR,, he was watching six movies a day. Since then, he's made zombies lovable, turned small town cops into action heroes turned a pub crawl into the end of the world. Please welcome my brilliant honor to call a friend Edgar. Right. Will got it very early.

Very, early., I, knew, it., Will, got, it., One got it straight away. I, knew, it., Edgar,, I, knew, it., God,, it's so funny. I was talking about you yesterday with my with my son. We were talking about Shawn of the Dead and then they were like, "Have you ever seen Hot Fuzz?" I was like "Guys, I am decades ahead of you. Have I seen hot

before, they, were, born?" Yeah. Yeah., Yeah., Well,, I, don't, know, whether, I should be flattered or it's just predictable that like Sean basically said he likes movies and Will said Edgar right

I, know., How, did, you, get that, easy, to, pinpoint you, Quinton or James Gray?

No,, you, know, what,, Edgar?, What, you, know, it's funny. One of the the reason I was talking about you with with my son, my 15-year-old, is we were talking about films and stuff that he liked and and we showed them Shawn of the Dead and Hot Well, not Hot Fun, but Shan of the Dead when they were quite young cuz I was like, "This is my idea of a perfect movie cuz as you know, and I love you and I love that film and it's so it's still, so, Oh,, you, know what, we, were talking about? How brilliantly you had people panicking in the background and and Sean and those guys had no idea."

and I would use I was like it's such brilliant film making. So that's that's where how it came up.

Oh,, thank, you., I, think, it's, it's important to have I mean I'm not a a parent not yet but like to have horror films that you can show to kids because

I, think, my, parents, would, allow, me, and, my brother to watch things that were like sci-fi related, but something like Halloween or Friday the 13th would be off the table. But Alien and The Thing were okay because they had a sort of fantasy sci-fi element.

What, about, The, Exorcist?, I, can't, believe I was allowed to see that. No. Yeah.

What, about, What, about, Have, you, seen Weapons? Weapons is about kids that disappear. I love that movie. Would you would you would you let kids go see that?

I, mean,, I, I, I, would., I, mean,, you, have different um in the UK, as you probably know, the ratings are different. So, you can't do the thing that you do in the States where a parent or guardian could take you into a PG-13 or an R

right? Like, a, 15, is, a, 15, and, an, 80, is, an, 18. So,, when, I, was, um, there, used, to, be a cinema around the corner from my house where I grew up and probably from the age of like 12 to like 15, 12 to 13, I was trying to get into 15 rated films

and, doing, that, thing, where, you, would, be so dumb. Like I mean I mean I remember the films I got into and I remember the films I didn't get into. Like I couldn't get into Aliens. I couldn't get into The Fly.

And, didn't, you, I, read, that, you, you changed your voice to act. Yes. Yes. You, know, the, two, things, I, would, do, to pretend to be older than I was

was, affect, a, deeper, voice and, also, wear, hair, gel,, wear, product, in my hair. I thought that was something adults did

but, it, didn't., Sometimes, it, didn't, work. One time though, I tell you the first 15 I ever got into was Gremlins was rated 15 in the UK.

Wow. Uh, cuz, in, the, US, it, was, one, of, the, first PG-13s, right? And um me and my brother I was 10 and my brother was 12. We went up to the cinema manager with a copy of the novelization of Gremlins and said to the manager, "Hey, um we've already read the book, so we know what happened, so we're not going to be scared, so you should let us in." And it was a matinea and it was pretty quiet. And the manager looked around and said, "Get in there." And it was honestly the most exciting screening of my life

because, you, any, moment, you, thought somebody's going to come in and say "You shouldn't be in here. You're not 15."

Oh, my, god,, that's, great., I, love, that. Um, you, know,, hey,, uh,, it's, before, I, forget because it's such a great question and my brain doesn't work good. Um, do do you guys celebrate Halloween over there? It's not as big as it is in LA, but then in if I have one bug bear about Halloween is that in Los Angeles it seems to go on for three [ __ ] months.

I, know., I, know. I, mean,, Halloween, starts, at, the, end, of August. It's ridiculous.

But, it, struck, me, that, you, would, probably be a great costume um maker uh thinker. What was your best Halloween costume you you've ever put together?

Ah. And, and, and, did, you, did, you, go, to, the prosthetics department there? Yeah. To to get some appliances put on.

Appliances. You, know, what, I've, done?, I, You, know what? When I was when I've been living in LA sometimes, I used to resent the fact that you'd need to get more than one costume.

Halloween, would, be, like, a, 4, day, weekend and it's like I'm going to do one costume this year.

I, think, my, favorite, one, I, ever, did, and and this will appeal to you guys because this is also this this was in the way that you showed Shaun of the Dead to your kids. This was a film that was dear to me when I was too young to see it. Is I went to a Halloween party in LA as David Norton from American Wolf in London.

Oh, god., Really? This, is, a, real, deep, cut, costume. Yeah,, it, is. What?, That, JB., What, was, your, best costume ever?

No,, we've, done Teen, Wolf, 2,, right? Uh, Team, Wolf. Close., I, went Team, Wolf, also.

Close., I, went, as, Jason, Baitman,, which, uh you, did, it. I, did., which, meant, that, I, wore, the, uh, a a hockey goalie mask for Jason and a net over my body with a bunch of hooks and lures on it for bait man and I thought I was a genius. I was so disgustingly proud of it and all drunk and I was just like yeah I was like 19. I just like tapped everyone on the shoulder saying hey man guess who I am. I was just it was a total embarrassment. Shnie. Shaunie. I mean that is

I, told, you, when, that, I, I, think, I, already told you when I went as Static Cling one year, but then I went as And then my when I was a kid. Yeah. When I was a kid, my mom let me go as a hooker. I went as a I dressed up as a hooker.

Wow. Yeah. And, what, that, look like? And, did, you, work? No., I, mean,, she, got, me, like

What, did, she, make? Was, it, successful? She, got, me, like, a, boa, and, like, a, jacket. Like no questions asked. I'm like "Lady, you're not going to ask any questions."

My, my, my, first, year, in, New, York,, 1990, and I didn't really celebrate it that much before, and I agree with you Edgar. It's too I'm a bit of a Baham bug when it comes when it's not for Halloween. A little bit. I love it.

And, um, but, but, I, went, as, Bobby, Peru, from Wild at Heart. Oh,, wow. Did, you, tell, William, Defo, that, when, he was on?

I, did., I, don't, think, I, did., I, tell, him Bobby, Peru., I, I, took, I, took, uh, I, took Dracula teeth that you just buy at like at the at at a Halloween store and then I melted them down so they were straight across and I wore I wore a bolo tie and

Wait,, who, was, Bobby, Peru?, What, was, that from? William, Defo, William, Defo's, character from Wild at Heart.

Terrifying., Terrifying, teeth., Did, you Yeah, the teeth are are horrific. The, teeth, are, terrifying., Yeah., The problem is I had to explain it to everybody.

It's, just, such, a, boozy, holiday,, isn't it? It is a boozy holiday. I mean, my god, you really got to drink into it.

Uhhuh., Wait,, I, want, to, know, uh, uh, Edgar, I was uh had the pleasure of meeting Oscar, your older brother, on the set of The Running Man, which we'll get to later.

Oh,, yes. This, is, a, This, is, This, is, a, film, I, want to see. In, the, Blind, Applause., Yeah.

No,, I, mean,, I, just, watched, it, the, other day. It's I we'll get to it later, but it's [ __ ] incredible. It's incredible,

I'm, sure. Yeah,, it's, it's, I, was, blown, away., But wait, I want to talk about Oscar. Was did did that how were you guys close when you were young and did he have the same love that that you had for movies and stuff?

Yeah,, very, much., I, mean,, my, brother, he's two years older. I think we went through that difficult period as teenagers where I think from the ages of like 14 to 17, we hated each other's guts and then we and then we got thick as thieves again immediately afterwards. And and he's worked on all of my movies as well, so he's he's amazing.

So,, it's, really, great, to, have, that relationship. But there was a period where we hated each other.

Yeah., Yeah., Yeah. As, teenagers, do. Of, course., Of, course. Um,, Edgar,, where, did, where, did, your, your your your love of and then uh I assume shortly thereafter the the the the skill at creating such exciting visuals in films uh along with

uh, your, ability, to, tell, story, and, and and and and have performances and all that other stuff and music.

Music., Yeah., But, like, Yeah., So, you're, do you can you attribute it to one particular film that you saw and you're like that's the kind of style I want to learn about because you're just so incredible at using every department. You know often directors specialize in one but on all of them you're just you seem to have so much fun making movies. I think it was my parents were both artists and art teachers and I think they they got me and my brother interested in cinema early on and and they were very supportive parents cuz I'm not from like a you know rich background or anything and and I had no connections with the within the industry but my mom and dad like my you know would just kind of like encourage us to sort of go for it even though there was no clear path to being in film. Yeah.

So, I think the the thing was of starting with like a Super Eight camera um and just making like amateur films and sort of just [ __ ] around like um but I think the and and so it was that thing of like knowing I wanted to be in film but not knowing exactly how to do it and the only way you could really like force yourself into doing it was just making films with your friends and try and watching things and trying to figure out how they did it and doing the zero budget version of it. Mhm.

So, then, was, that, mostly, it?, The, fact that you had a little camera when you were a little kid and you're really too young to kind of grind about performance and crap like that? You're really like looking to like make whip whip hands and and and strong pushes and all that stuff like cuz you had a little camera and you didn't have dolly track or anything. You just like on your shoulder and it just be it's a much more visual effort right? As a little kid, I bet.

Yeah., I, mean, I, I, remember, making, I, I, won I won a video camera on the BBC when I was 16. and I'd entered this competition that was part of Comet Relief and and I won and I won a video camera which I previously wouldn't have been able to afford but as soon as I had that it was kind of like my you know kind of you know like school school sort of went out the window a little bit and I was just this like amateur filmmaker like making sort of films in free periods and but I would make things like I would make c I would make like a a I couldn't didn't have a steady cam so I would make like a a fake sort of cradle with like a ceiling tile and string and like run around with it doing way. So to answer your question though Jason I tell you a lot of filmmakers that were really big to me beyond like you know Steven Spielberg and George Lucas but there was a particular time of like when I was

sort of growing up in the 80s of people that meant a lot to me were like John, Carpenter, Joe, Dante, John, Landis, and then when I was like in my maybe about 15 I think there was the year that I saw um Raising Arizona by the Cohen brothers and Evil Dead 2 by Sam Ramy

in, quick, succession., And, those, were, real like mindblowers to me in terms of like oh my god, look how much fun these guys are having in film. It was so infectious. Both of those movies, one of which is a comedy, one of which is a comedy horror, but they have a lot in common. And those guys were friends as well and colleagues, but like just what they did with the camera and how they got like just magic and infectious enthusiasm out of every frame. Th those were like

I, got, to, see, Evil, Dead,, too., Um,, is, it significantly better than Evil Dead one?

Oh,, it's, just, Have, you, Have, you, You haven't seen the second one? Don't, know, it., Yeah.

Oh,, it's, fun., It's, a, blast., It's, kind, of like they just decided, let's remake the first film and put more Three Stooges in it.

We'll, be, right, back. And, now, back, to, the, show. Edgar, I love that the in my notes it says you made a clay animation when you got that that camera about wheelchair clay.

Usually, they, usually, just, put, it together. Combine, the, two., Yeah,, they, bundle, it.

They, bundle. Um Amy, Amy, Polar, taught, us, to, to, bundle, right? Bundle., Yeah,, I, got, to, take, that, into consideration. You made a claimation about wheelchair access. Is that what it was?

That, was, the, thing, for, Comet, Relief. That's, so, funny., I, mean,, what, was, that? What what about wheelchair access? I mean, why that? It was I I think I I had seen something. There was a film program in in the UK. Um I guess it was probably film 91 at the time, but they had a thing about the the lack of wheelchair ramps in the cinema. So I did like I did an animation about it for comic relief.

Oh,, that's, great. So, that, was, when, I, I, was, on, TV, when, I was like 16 years old.

And, one, of the, things, the, funny, thing about that and actually you can find the clip on YouTube. One of the weird things, imagine being on live TV for the first time and they accidentally told me the night before that I'd won and then somebody a researcher said, "Oh, he's not supposed to know that."

So, then, imagine, imagine, having, this pressure being on TV as a 16-year-old. Then they say, "Tomorrow when you're on the show, pretend like you haven't won." So when they say that you've won, you have to act like you're really surprised.

That's, a, lot, of, pressure, on, TV., If, you watch that clip, if you see that clip see my amazing acting of like who me?

Oh,, I, love, that., That's, great. If, anybody, wants, tips, on, on, how, to, act like you never won, just ask me. Hey listen,

Edgar. Well,, that's, going, to, change., That's going to change after this. You, know,, we, we, uh, uh, Edgar, uh, we, got, to know each other back kind of around the Dead days. And then and you introduced us to our our dear friend who are also friends with Pete Saraphinoitch was through you and through and and Simon everybody I know all these great dudes. Um and it was in that time uh that you you recommended that I wa I really wanted to watch the a show that I've told so many people about that to me is just such a example of a really great show, great writing, great directing great acting which is spaced and is not as heralded as it should be. And I urge anybody who wants to watch a show that's really original and really funny to go and watch Spaced with that that you directed with the great Simon Peg and Nick Frost.

Yeah., Just, and, Jessica, Hind and, Jessica., I, mean,, incredible., How, did that come about?

Well,, I, was, um, Yeah,, I, I, had, I, had basically I I'd gotten my break into the industry. I had made a film when I was 20. I went to art college for two years and then I made a really lowbudget film uh called a fist full of fingers that was shot on 16 mil which cost like 30 30 grand total.

Fistful, of, fingers., Yeah, it, did, get, it, got, released, at, the, cinema in the UK in like one I say cinemas it released in a cinema one screen but I but through that I got into TV. It was first through like Matt Lucas and David Williams. They were doing a cable show and I I I was directing that when I was 21. And then

a, couple, of, years, later, I, wor, with, Simon Peg and Jessica Hines for the first time. And then Spaced, I was 24 when I did Spaced, which seems crazy. That's amazing.

It, seems, I, I, realize, now, I, I, knew, it, at the time that it was really special, but now I really

just, I, feel, so, thankful, that, like, I can't believe I was directing like a show that was on network TV when I was 24. Um and actually I remember well I got to say actually I want to say thanks to all of you. Um Will I remember when I first came to LA you and Amy when you um you were both so generous to me and just would sort of take me and the first time I met both of you actually was at a dinner that Will brought me to. Um but I just to I want to reference space because I remember something that you did because I came and visited the set of Arrested Development. It must have been a season 3 episode. I don't remember which one it was, but I remember Bob Einstein was in it and I I went on set. But I remember Will, you did this prank that when I came to So Space was this sitcom that I did on Channel 4, which is um one of the the main channels in the UK and uh and it was out on DVD, but you couldn't get it

in the States yet. So kind of like comedy nerds like yourself like would would get kind of copies of it and have to have a region free free player. And I came to the Arrested Development set and I went to Will's trailer and Will, you had inside of your trailer, you had the DVD cover of Space photocopied and plastered absolutely everywhere.

And, then, you, turned, around, and, he, said and he said "Oh, I didn't know you were coming.

That's, great." Which, was, a, very, very, Which, which, says everything about you is extremely silly thing to do and and I really appreciate it.

Yeah., Yeah,, I, remember, we, all, met, at, a restaurant in Venice or something and and and that's when Will said, "You got to watch this movie, Shawn of the Dead." And I watched it right away. And

yeah,, that's, when, we, first, met., It, was so long ago. Go on. Yeah. It, was, it, was, it, was, through, all, that and then and then look around you and you really opened my eyes actually. You you kind of in addition to space so many of the other things. you were really my entree to stuff because we didn't, as you said, we didn't get a lot of those shows and and you recommended so many things that really opened opened uh my eyes to a lot of the great stuff that they do in the UK and I've never looked back. I've been an Angloile ever since.

I, want, to, I, want, to, say, one, thing, that um like this has never been mentioned on this podcast before. I don't think so but Jason in the UK um in the sort of mid80s they actually showed and I was a fan of It's Your Move. Oh

yeah, it's, true., And, I, remember, specifically, and I've mentioned this to you before the episode that I remember, and this would be a real deep cut Halloween costume. There's an episode where you have to pretend like a rock band is coming to to schools of humanity.

The, dregs, of, humanity., And, then, you, have fake skeletons. That, he, remembers, that.

That, he, remembers, that. It's, insane., I, remember., Well,, I'd, like to pitch that next Halloween the four of us should go as the dregs of humanity to a party and have to explain it to every single person there saying, "We're doing a bit from It's Your Move."

Come, on., It's, Your, Move., Don't, you, move. I, loved, I, loved, It's, Your, Move,, too., I watched it when I watched it. I did too. I watched it.

Me,, too., I, was, like, "This, kitty's, such a bad kitty." So, sort of, you know just doing [ __ ] It was cool. It was a cool show. So then after wait I did want to I wanted you to tell me this one thing about fist full of

well, I, want, to, I, want, to, ask, about, space or just while we're on spaced I remember you told me one time Edgar and tell me if I'm wrong that that you when uh you and Simon were putting it together and Jessica and you didn't know and Nick had never acted before. Is that true Nick Frost?

Oh, that's, right., Yeah. And, how, and, how, that, came, about., Nick Nick had never acted before and um there was a what's um the version of ZAG in the UK is like the spotlight um which is like the kind of actors union

and, um, there, was, another, actor, called Nick Frost in the union. So, because, the, Channel, 4, weren't, really going to take a chance on somebody who had no credits. So we said, "Oh yeah no, he's been in all these other shows." No really.

We, pretended, he, was, the, other, Nick., So, apologies to the other Nick Frost.

No, way. Another, way., It's, true. No, way., And, And, he, could, keep, his, name.

Yeah., I, think, uh, I'm, not, sure., Maybe, the other Nick Frost changed his name.

But, And, Simon,, maybe, you, Andrew, or, Simon told me this like Simon worked with him at a restaurant maybe, and he said he was his funny he was his funny friend and he was like he was funnier than everybody else I knew.

He, worked, at, a, Mexican, restaurant,, which is not really a thing in the UK, as you probably know. um called Chaquitos. I remember he wasn't he'd never acted before and he would do this thing and he kept doing this on Shaun of the Dead that I would sometimes give him a direction and Nick Frost would walk up to me and whisper in my ear say, "Please remember I am not an actor.

That's, great.", And, that, continues, to this day. I, love, that. So, funny. So, wait,, so, the, fistful, of, fingers, you got you somebody gave you $11,000 to make that? Uh yeah, I mean it was um I owe it all to a a newspaper editor in my hometown, Mike Matias, who had some I think he had just come into inheritance so he had some tax loss money. So we made the whole thing on 11 grand and then we raised another um another like maybe it was cost the whole thing cost 20 22 grand actually. Yeah, it was like sort of shot it over like 20 days on 16 mil. It was all starring like my school friends and my college friends. It didn't actually occur to me that there might be actors around. In fact, the only actor that's in it who's um and if you from Ted Lasso, James Lance is in the movie. And the only reason that he's in the movie is that he um his mom heard that in the local paper that some kids

are making a movie and he said, "Oh, I'm an actor." And I said "Oh, sure. You can be in it." That was how the casting worked. So that's great. It was ex it was very it was like um 78 minutes long with credits. Actually here's a good story. I had to pad it out.

The, movie, as, you, all, know, having, made directed and um you know and and written is that you usually have the assemble edit um for Tracy. The assemble edit is when when the when the the whole the whole all of the takes of the movie are put together. So like usually an assembly edit it might be hours and hours long but the assemble edit of fist full of fingers the whole thing with every single shot was like 75 minutes long

and, it, meant, that, I, couldn't, really, cut it down which was there were some bits I wanted to cut out.

Shitty, parts, need, to, stay, in. Yeah., So, here's, what, I, did., I, needed there, was, at least, one, bit, I, really wanted to cut out. I mean, now I would probably cut another 25 minutes out, but um at the time to to cut some bits out I basically created a scene in the dark. In the middle of the movie, there's a scene where it's a western, so they're cowboys around a campfire and they blow out the fire. And so I thought I could just put a whole like scene in black here to pad it out for 2 minutes.

So, I, just, put, like, just, black, film, and just like they just talked for two minutes in the dark and that was my way of padding it out.

Oh, wow,, that's, a, good, idea., Long, end credits, long omni credits. So, smart.

That's, great., So,, so, from, there, after Spaced, you did what's known as the Cornetto trilogy now, which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End with your friends. I mean, it's a dream for everybody to just kind of work with their friends. And you did it three times in these like incredible movies like one after another.

Was, that, working, title, on, on, all, three of them? Yeah., Yeah., Eric, Fner,, Tim,

Nyra, Park,, who, you, well, know,, Jason, as well, like did all of the movies. I mean,

and, Liza, Jason. Yeah., And, it, was, it, was, straight, after, I say after the second series of Spaced we we started writing Sha. Um I mean, it was funny. It was never meant to It's funny. It's called the Cornetto Trilogy because a Cornetto for the um American listeners is a brand of ice cream in the UK and the Europe in fact in most of the world except the states.

Yeah., And is, it, three, lover, three, layers? It's, just, a, No,, it's, No,, it's, not., It's like

a, preack., It's, like, a, prepackaged, ice cream cone, isn't it? Yeah. Like, a, drumstick.

Yes. The, only, reason, it, came, up, as, a, trilogy is when we did Sha of the Dead, which mentions Cornetto once, we got free ice cream at the premiere and I said to Simon when we were writing Hot Fuzz "Hey, we should write Cornettos into the second one so we get free ice cream again."

That's, great., I, love, that. How, did, How, did, you, and, Simon, meet? because, that, was, when, you, guys, that that was it's been a sort of a lifelong collaboration you guys.

He, says, we, met, at, the, Batisy, Art, Center and I know the truth is we met at the Riverside um studios. We met I he was friends with um there was in the like around that time when I first moved to London like you know 30 years ago and there were a lot of people on the scene who all now become huge like the Mighty Bouge guys and you know Simon and and uh Matt Luke and David Williams and the League of Gentleman guys. They were all sort of coming up around the same time and I met Simon backstage at a comedy gig and I'd seen him doing standup on TV and he's from the same area as me. We're only like we grew up like 50 miles away from each other. So we're both from the West Country

and, um, I'd, seen, him, on, on, TV, doing, a, a standup set about regional TV. So I went up to him and said, "Hey, I'm from the West Country too." So, I think he remembered me as who's that weird kid who came up. Who's that weird kid with a beard?

And, and, then, and, then, you, guys, And, then what happened? The, lights, are, turning, off, in, my, room., I have to I just get the motion sensors on in here.

Look, at, that. SOS. It's, okay., I'm, in, the, dark, now. You're, definitely, not, in, the, US.

Well,, we're, just, Are, you, holding, so? No,, we're, we're, shooting, we're, shooting the campfire scene. We're shooting the

Wait,, so, you, guys We, could, pat, this, out, for, 2, minutes., You got So you guys meet and you say, "Hey let's do a TV series."

No., Uh,, we, um, Oh,, somebody's, coming, in to Here we go. Somebody's switching the lights on for me. Thank you. There's motion sensors. I'm in I'm in the I'm in a conference room. I'm actually mixing The Running Man right now. It is not It is not finished. It's out on November 14th, but and it will be finished by then. But um uh Simon, yeah, he was I I started doing TV and I did this TV show on on like the I guess the British version of Comedy Central, the Paramount Comedy Channel at the time. And there was a show called Asylum and I I got asked to direct it and Simon Peg was in it and he brought Jessica Hines who co-wrote Spaced and co-created Spaced onto that. So I was working with them for the first time. So, I'd already met him and I and I knew then it's funny when you meet somebody that you think I'm gonna I thought even then like and this is eight years before we made the movie. I was thinking I'm going to make

a movie and he's going to be in it. I I knew then that Simon was like a, great, comedy, leading, man

and, it, was, just, about, then, finding, the idea of what that was. Yeah,, it's, so, great.

I'm, so, I'm, so, I'm, so, I, can't, believe you're at a mix right now. If you already given your notes, they're implementing your notes and in that break you're doing this podcast.

Yeah, it's, very, fancy, to, say,, "Guys,, I, got, to go and do smileers right now."

It's, very, fancy, you're, doing. They're, like,, "What?, What, are, you talking about?"

I, bet, that, mix, is, enormous,, right?, I mean, it's, Well,, Sean, has, seen, the, movie.

Yeah. It's, a, It's, a, It's, a, complic, It's, a complicated beast. Massive., Yeah., I, mean,, it's, it's, it's it's so incredible. Well, before we get to them, we're going to get to the last thing I wanted to say before we get to that is Baby Driver cuz Baby Driver is one, of my, favorite, movies, of, all, time and seen it so many times and yes bravo, bravo, bravo. And I did not know this until I

Baby, Drive movie. A, bambino, driving. I, know., I, was, hoping, you, were, going, to say bambino. I was when I was that you did.

I, did., He, did. I didn't I, didn't, know, that, you, had, or, still, have tonitis. Is that true?

No,, I, had, it, when, I, was, young, which, is, when, you, hear, high, pitch, things in your ears and Yeah. pitch noises and stuff,

but, it, was, something, that, actually,, you know, tonitis suffers or tinitus as we call it in the U. It's one of those weird words like

aluminum, alum, aluminum aluminum, aluminium aluminium um, risoto, risoto., Um,, no., I, had, it, when I was young and uh and but I didn't, you know, like the the the thing that the character does in the film to sort of like tune out the tonitis with music was not something obviously that I I I I could figure out when I was it was happening when I was probably eight or nine, but it was it was

yeah,, I, did, used, to, have, that., So,, it was something when that kind of idea came back around

and, knowing, people, obviously, a, lot, of people in the music industry have tinitus. Um

so, it, was, it, was, um, I, had, had, experience of it, but not not anymore. Not I mean hopefully not again.

And, when, did, you, become, and, I, I'll, say the word obsessed with music because you sent me or you still send me your yearly kind of

Yes., So, good. End, of, your, playlist. Yeah., And and, I, listen, to, it, and, it's, so it covers all mediums, all kind of genres of music. When did you first listen to an album or a song and be like I you just you love it? Well, I think probably just, you know, my parents' vinyl, like in in the days before, like we all old enough to remember the days before like computers and um you know when there was nothing on TV. I I mean I used to kind of like, and I'm sure like a lot of people like put the white album on and just watch it go around.

So,, sit, and, watch, the, vinyl, go, around. So, I've always been a huge music fan. I think it's probably one I don't play an instrument and I think it's one of one of if I have a regret it's that I I don't I mean I guess I could still start.

Never, too, late. Too, late, but I'll, never, be, I'll, never, be, a, pianist like you Sean. Although I if I I would like to play the piano. That would be the instrument I'd like to play. Can't do it like you.

You, can, you, can, you, can but, your, your, films, uh, you, know, use, m such a great expression for your your your sort of musical uh um affinity uh in film, right? It's and it's such a great way to use music and you do it always so effectively in your films. Do you get really excited by that by that process of using music in your films?

I, think, I, have, the, kind, of, movie, music version of Sesthesia where I kind of just imagine it like Baby Driver sort of existed in my head.

Yeah. For, maybe, like, 20, years, before, I, made, it where it was that song that opens the movie Bell Bottoms by the John Spencer Blues Explosion. I would like hear the song and I would see the scene and then I, don't, know if, you, guys, have, this, as you know when you're writing is you can see the movie in your head and and the difficult part is writing it down. So I think Baby Driver was one of those films that I kind of saw in my head and at some point I had to figure out what it was and how I could make it into a film.

So that would have been I, do, that, sometimes fermenting, in, my, brain, for, a, long, time.

Yeah., And, the, music, was, always, music, was always the thing that inspired the sequences and it's something that like in a lot of the movies I've made is that like a song will sort of trigger the entire thing.

What, about, directing, videos?, Have, you done that? Cuz I'd imagine that would be a super exciting thing to do in this area. Yeah.

Great, stuff. Yeah,, I, have, done, I've, done, music videos. I mean the the sad thing is is that the kind of like the the you know budgets for music videos started going down like 25 years ago and and and now you know like it it isn't a a thing in the same way it was which is a real shame because obviously there are some

like, music, videos, like, well, Michelle Gondry they're like works of art they belong in a museum they're incredible like so I have done I have done some not as many as I'd like but I've done ones for

Beck, and, Fel, Williams, and, um, I', I'd, like to do more, but it they're difficult things to make because they, you know if you're doing a budget. Yeah.

Yeah., It's, like, a, lot, of, pulling, favors and you can only do that so many times in a row. I think I did two lowbudget fil music videos in a row right after Shaun of the Dead and I realized after the second one, it's like, ah, you can't ask people to work for nothing twice in a row. Whereas the opposite of that would be a lot of fancy directors like you will in between projects will do commercials um because the budgets are so high and you can get all the fun gear and and work with the cinematographer maybe you have. Do you do a lot of that at all?

Not, as, much, as, I'd, like, to., But, I, mean, I think also the thing with that is also if you've got a crew that you really like is to keep them working.

Yeah., Yeah. You, know, and, so, that's, a, nice, thing, is it it it may not even be working with new crew. Sometimes it's working with the crew that you know as you would know it like it can be like three years between movies or four years between movies. So if you have a team of people that you like working with doing commercials and music videos is a great way to all keep working together. I mean I that I think that's the thing cuz I write as well. It's it's it's I'm always envious of directors who can kind of do a film a year cuz it a minimum it's like three years between movies for me and and usually when you finished a movie you kind of think like oh we've got this great team we should just keep going.

But it never works out like that. You can't I've never rolled straight into another movie

cuz, you're, writing, everything, you direct. Yeah. And, I, need, a, nap. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah., Yeah., You, I, remember, I, remember you saying that years ago. We were talking about something and you said "No, no, I only I only I can only direct the things that I write. It's the only way you can kind of get your brain around it, right?" I You've always held to that.

Yeah., So, far,, I, mean,, I, I, that's, not, to say that wouldn't change. And you know and I I I you know, I don't write a lot. I mean, Baby Driver is actually the only thing I wrote on my own. Everything else I've written with co-writers, which you know, like um

um, and, I, love, that, and, I, I I, like, doing that. But I wouldn't I wouldn't rule that out. I um you know, I think it's that thing where you you I mean, it's really difficult as well with like something like Shaun of the Dead was a film where to just read the script without knowing how I would direct it or how Simon and Nick would perform it. I think, you know, some actors passed on it because they were just sort of baffled by it or or studios passed on it because they couldn't quite see it and in a way you guys

Yeah., You, had, to, see, Simon, and, Nick doing it and you had to see their tone of their naturalistic comedy performance

because, you, could, take, exactly, the, same screenplay and, make, it, really, broad, and, silly, and it would be an entirely different movie. though it was a thing with that film in particular and it helped that we had space and we could show people space and say, "Hey, this is what kind of what it's going to be like." But it wasn't an easy sell for everybody, you know.

I'm, sure, I'm, sure, it's, a, it's, a, narrow target if if you look at it that way. It's a comedy. It's a horror film. It's all of these things. And it's it's silly in parts in a way, but you also have to have those I I tell you, man, one of my favorite moments in film history, I swear to you, and I reference it all the time, is when when everybody's surrounded and Nick gets a [ __ ] Frost gets a [ __ ] phone call and he answers it.

Yeah. And, he's, like surrounded, by, zombies., Yeah. Yeah., You, all, right?, How, you, doing?

He's, just, super talking, talking, to, his, dealer., talking to his. It's so [ __ ] funny in this great heightened moment and then it's completely burst by he gets a phone call and he takes it. We'll be right back. And now back to the show. Is there a comedic tonal like north star for you uh that I'll bet is British that sort of established what what you thought was the funniest kind of comedy when you were growing up?

Oh, yeah., I, mean, I, think, there, were, like there were shows some of them before my time and that get repeated. I mean I feel the shows that were really like the groundbreakers. I mean obviously Montipython was before my time but it was repeated a lot. So that would be something

Faulty, Towers. Faulty, Towers., I, mean,, the, ones, that were on TV when I was, you know, like things like 40 Towers and uh Monty Python was slightly before my Are You Being Served was always on.

I, love, that, show. But, I, think, the, the, first, one, that, made a really big impact on me, which is more of a culty show in the States, was The Young Ones

which, was, only, like, 12, episodes,, which was so punk rock. It was It, was, only, 12, episodes., I've, never seen. It was like one series in 1982 one series in 1984. Every episode ended with them dying.

Like, it, was, such, a, sort, of, love, that show. It, was, like, a, It, was, like, a, total, hang grenade of a show. And I remember I was too young to see it the first time at school, but all of the kind of the cool kids at school were talking about the young ones. So when the second series came around, I was all over it. And

remember, um, Nature, Sews, the, seed., We plant the seed. Nature sews the seed. I remember that show. That was so good. I want to see.

It, was, It, was, a, It, was, It, was, incredible that show and it and it really it really stands up. They they used to have bands on every week.

They, you, know, they, they, would, they figured out they could get a bigger budget as a variety show if they had a band on so randomly in the middle of a sitcom like Mohead would be on all of a sudden.

It, was, such, a, weird, Yeah., It, was, so, sort of the the format of it was so was so uh alien to what we were accustomed to uh well certainly you know I don't know about the US but but Canada as well. So that when we s I remember seeing it, it was so jarring to watch the first time cuz it was so unlike anything else.

I, think, it, was, like, that, on, British, TV as well when it first came on. I mean it was it was the start of something. I mean, alternative comedy as they called it in the 80s was like huge and there were like shows that that haven't traveled over to the US that uh you know I mean I guess in that pre kind of like cable age where things started traveling over in like 20 years ago but prior to that there'd be things like um the dayto-day and Brass Eye and Alan Partridge and um

Brilliant uh, th, those, shows, were, like, huge, for, me. when you when you were when you were writing when you're writing uh comedy specifically, do you find it helpful because you mentioned you wrote you you write with other people and you've written with with uh um Simon a lot. Do you writing comedy? Do you find it helpful to to write with somebody else?

Oh, yeah. In, terms, of, sort, of, for, sort, of, pace, and sort of for for tone and all these things and for jokes obviously

I, think, writing, comedy, on, your, own, is, a very lonely business. Yes., I, think, writing, with, a, coowwriter and and pinging things off each other or just reading it aloud. I think that's a big thing is just reading the script aloud to each other and you know you get to the point where you could almost perform it like a play. I think I you know Baby Driver I wrote on my own but that was more of an action film and that was it was it was the most difficult script to write because you're constantly looking for you know affirmation from somebody like please somebody read the pages at the end of the day but you know obviously with writing with Simon Peg or Michael Ball or Joe Cornish you know like immediate feedback hanging off each other. Yeah because if you write something, you're like, "Oh, this is kind of a funny bit."

And if you're writing with somebody else and you sort of go, "Yeah." And then the guy blah blah blah blah blah. And you're writing with goes, "Yeah, it's pretty good." And you're like "Okay, well yeah, that's a terrible idea."

Yeah. No,, I, I, mean,, I'm, I'd, like, to, write something else like that. And me and Simon keep talking about writing something else together. And I think it really just comes down to just being in the room together really. It's just like we got to do that and just hash it out and have fun with it, you know?

Okay,, speaking, of, writing, with, somebody, you had a writing partner on The Running Man. I want to talk about The Running Man. Um, I'm so excited for everybody to see this. It's so good. I was blown away. I have

Listeners,, Sean, Sean, P., Hayes, is, in, this film. Sean, is, in, the, running.

I, did, it, to, hang, out, with, Edgar, and, and it was a blast. It was so And, you're, in, the, ones, the, only, scene, in the movie that Glenn Powell is not in.

I, know,, right?, I, was, in, the, Now,, was that Do you requested that, Sean? That's

No,, Glenn, requested, that. Oh,, Glenn, did., Glenn, specified., By, the way, I I spoke to Glenn for a long time yesterday and went on and on about how incredible he is. He is so commanding and so I said the greatest gift I I a compliment I could give you and I gave it to Jason too on Black Rabbit is there's nothing lazy about it at all. There's nothing at all. Fully committed fully into it. He's like a huge action star Glenn Powell. I mean hands down like you buy every single thing he says. It's it's He's amazing. This movie looks huge.

Yeah,, it's, huge., It's, It's, so, good., And um I remember just to start off the first day, I I was so embarrassed. I made some stupid joke like I'm going to connect with the crew and make them like me. Not thinking they'd already been there for 14 hours when I came to rehearsal. And they I said some stupid joke and nobody laughed. I was like, "Oh god, this is going to be [ __ ] awful." And then I fell into the hole off the stage.

Nobody, remembers, that., She, went,, "Oh, no. They do now. They, do, now., And, um, and, I, thank, God, it didn't hurt, but I was like, "Oh my god I fell on I fell on the

What, was, the, joke, that, you, tried, to connect with the crew?" I, said,, "The, reason, the, movie, got, green lit is here."

Oh, no. I, remember, that, now., That's the, walking, green, light, has, arrived.

Um, so, but, anyway, it, was, great., You, were, great. I, have, I, have, to, rectify, something, Jason. We have to work together because I've now worked with two of the three people on this call because I did a voice over in my in my Grindhouse trailer. Don't

and, Sean, is, in, the, running, man., So Jason, I have to I have to I have to complete the set.

Nothing, would, make, me, happier. Okay., Can, I, can, I, make, a, picture? Drags, of, humanity, the, movie.

Drags, of, humanity, or, just, or, it's, your next move. It's, your, next, move.

What's, that, character, doing, now?, Teen, in 3D. Let's, do, it., How, are, you, spelling, three?

Yeah,, that's, a, great Oh,, there's, a, few, e, there's, a, few, too many e on it.

Um,, okay., So,, talk, about, the, Running, Man because it was it was it was incredible. It was you shot through November through through March, right? Of last last November through March.

Yeah. Um,, and, what, drew, you, to, it, for, people who don't know for Tracy, there was a Running Man movie in the 80s with Arnold Schwarzenegger. And it's I did not

Richard, Dawson. Yes. And, Richard, Dawson,, right?, And, um, I, did not know it at the time that it was a Stephen King book. I didn't know that. I thought it was an original idea.

Yeah,, it, was, um, it, was, one, of, the, books he wrote under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. He wrote like five novels before he got rumbled, maybe four novels before he got rumbled as Richard Bachman. It was this pseudonym that he wrote for like nonh horror stuff. And so the Running Man was written in 1982. And um the Schwenegger 87 version is a very loose adaptation of the books which is one of the things that attracted me because I' I'd read the book as a teenager. I think probably like a lot of people, Stephen King was a real gateway author for me in the sense of I was reading his books in my early teens and it was probably some of the first grownup books I ever read and The Running Man made a particular impression on me and I'd actually read the book before I'd seen the Schwarzenegger film.

So, I was aware that it was drastically different and so I was always interested in in doing a new adaptation of it because I thought, well, this is a book that hasn't really been adapted. Um, so and also I have like a dream to adapt a Stephen King book and um and

yeah,, so, it, was, it, was, um, I, mean, I, it's diff it's difficult for me to talk about when I'm still making it, but I I I mean you've seen the movie Sean, but it's

it's, been, such, a, kind, of, adventure., It's also funny as well like it it it has some

One, of, the, things, why, I, want, to, say Glenn's in every scene except the one that Sean's in. Sean's in a show that Glenn is watching right at the start of the movie. He's a host of a different game show that's not the running man

right? And, um, but, Glenn, is, in, every, scene because, in, the, book,, one, of the, things that was really intense about the book is that you see the entire thing through Ben Richard's point of view. And that was something that I thought, well that's something that's not in other movies like this. Usually they cut away to the baddies or you go to kind of like another location or somebody else watching the show. But we stay with Glenn and his you know like subjective intense experience, his point of view. So it was it was and you know like so Glenn was on set every day

and he, really, brought, it., It, was, amazing. Yeah, it, was, an, amazing, cast, all, around., Like, in fact, I was just talking to friend of the show, Josh Brolan, who's in the movie, and he said to say hi.

The, other, JB,, the, real, JB., Sorry., JB,, we love Josh. We love Josh. Coleman, Domingo,, Michael, Sarah., Michael Sarah. There we go. Sarah, your other colleague.

First, time, we, worked, together, since Scott Pilgrim. Um, Amelia Jones, Jamie Lawson. Um, Shawn Hayes is in the movie.

Okay., Sure., and, Julia, [ __ ], your amazing girlfriend who's this she was in the scene with me

and, I, love, her, and, she, um, is, an incredible singer and I love her music. That's all I wanted to say about that.

There, you, go. Oh,, that's, all, you, wanted, to, say? When, do, we, get, to, When, do, we, get, to enjoy this film?

Yeah. November, 14th. Oh,, just, in, time, for, Thank, you. It's, coming., It's, coming, very, soon., It's um

it's, I've, never, made, a, movie, I, don't know if you guys have ever done I've never made a movie that's been finished so close to release.

Um, and, it's, exciting, and, nerve-wracking at the same time. But like it's it's crazy that um

you, know, it, it, it's, it, will, it, probably will be finished in like a week week's time or something like that which is wild.

I, can't, wait, to, see, it, again., And, and you I read that you uh can only get through directing drinking espresso. Are you still drinking espresso in post?

Way, too, much., Way, too, much. It's, too, much. No, trouble, sleeping. Yes., Lots, of, trouble, sleeping.

I, have, to, knock, myself, out, with melatonin and edibles. Uhhuh. Oh, god., I'm, with, you., Welcome.

I'm, with, you., Yeah. What, what, what, do, you, think?, You, know, it's funny. You you've done lots of so many things in different areas and and but comedy is always kind of at the heart of what you do. So whether it's horror or action, there's always the you know, comedy is always there. It Have you do you want to get back into and do you have any desire to just go pure comedy again and go into Yeah.

No,, I, I, think, and, also, you, know, as, as, we all know as I'm I'm I'm still want to make movies for the big screen and for some reason at the moment comedy has kind of like sort of you know um like not being made for like the sort of the cinema anymore which is really strange but I think things are cyclical. I think it will come back.

Well,, because, they, always, have, to, have the and your films have big a lot a lot of your films have these big elements to it and they're very as Jason pointed out early on, you have a you have a great visual style and you have a great and so that's all part of it. It kind of sort of complements the whole thing. But I when I go back and I think about space even now as I'm thinking about how simple it was and and how much it was just on the you know the writing and the direction, the acting and just the pure comedy of all that that must be attractive to you on a certain level to kind of

Oh, yeah., get, back, to, something, a, little simpler in that way. I, think, so., Or, it's, it's it's, finding what that is that sort of like I mean there's I mean listen you know I'm going to flatter you both but like you know Arrested Development was one of the biggest joke delivery machines on TV. It had the kind of speed of a Marx Brothers film. And and that was the thing that I think when me and Simon, you know, like um would talk about that show all the time, you know, because also American shows at that time when they were network shows, 22 minutes long and like you know, with like 22 minutes and like 500 jokes. Incredible. And I I love I love those things. I mean, I'm I'm still like a huge comedy fan. And you know the the best comedy films that just like you know, obviously when I was growing up, things like the Zucker brothers films I shouldn't Abraham Zucker. I shouldn't leave Jim Abrams out. Um, but

you know things like Airplane and Top Secret, those films are huge for me. You know,

the, Python, movies,, the, Marx, Brothers, like just like I just I don't know how many times I've watched Monkey Business and Duck Soup.

Duck, Soup., I, watch, Duck, Soup, every, New Year's Eve. Yeah it's, incredible. This so funny for me on the extreme is I used to Edgar I suspect you've seen it and I don't this is not a recommendation uh to for anybody to watch it because it's very jarring and a lot of people have but I'm a huge fan of it because it's ab I've never seen anything so densely packed more densely packed with jokes pure just jokes and again a lot of it people I've had people react with tears in their eyes because they feel so jarred by it Xavier Renegade Oh,, you, know what?, I, have, never, seen this show, but Bill her talks about it all the time.

Bill, Hater, loves, it,, too., And, and I, didn't, like, a, lot, of, the, adult, swim shows never made it over to the UK. Like

the, guys, who, did, wonder, shows, and, uh, uh Oh,, yeah., I, have, seen, that.

Vernon, Chapman, and, and, and, uh, what's, it? John Lee, they they did it. It is a absolutely You want to talk about wallto-wall jokes. There's nothing else but jokes. And it's also very disturbing. So

this, is, an, animated, show. Yeah., I, I, I, send, this, with, a, big warning. There's a big warning on it because people will people they'll they'll end up responding to this episode with tears in their eyes. I was like, "Man, you really [ __ ] me up with that exact renegade angel."

Oh,, really? Holy, [ __ ], Anyway,, sorry., That's, just Edgar., What's, the, What's, the, best, We'll We'll leave on this. What's the best piece of advice you've gotten and the worst?

Oh. Oh,, god., The, worst, advice the, best, the, best, and, worst, was, from, a, a guy who used to run a big studio. He said, "Be patient. Just be patient."

Which, is, the, best, and, the, worst. Best, advice, and and, the, worst. And, the, worst.

It's, both. It, is, true. Um I wish I had a great pathy answer for this. I I remember somebody said to me like that I mean

I, say, to, people, all, the, time, is, like because sometimes I feel that people make movies and that they're making movies to kind of fulfill a brief. I I think, you, and, I, don't, know if, everybody ever says, but you have to be the cinem. you have to make the movie that you want to see as as a as a as a customer. And so I'm always and so I mean I I I can't believe I'm like telling you advice that I've given myself or given to other people. But it is that thing as I think that's the thing that I I I I think about all the time is I want to be the audience member. And I think as a film director always just chasing that thrill of the of the film that you saw or the film that you want to see that if you didn't make this film yourself you would want to be the biggest fan of it. And I think that's something is just I haven't really answered your question Sean, but I think that's always the thing that I

return to is just to sort of try and be, sincere, in, the, process, of, make, make the movie that you know that you would want to see

instead, of, trying, to, guess, what, they want. Yeah. Yeah., Cuz, I, think, I, think, that, comes, I think you can tell those movies where people are kind of

working, in, genres, that, they, don't necessarily love. Um, I think you can tell. I think when people like really love what they're doing, it's it's it's palpable and it's infectious. You know

I, bet, you, have, those, moment., I'm, I'm kind of visualizing you having a moment like do you can you remember moments on maybe on Running Man where you there's a big moment or a big shot or something happened and when you yell cut, you were like [ __ ] yes.

Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., Well,, you, never, people always say like I mean even on comedies especially they say like um oh you guys look like you're having such a blast and you always say well you never have time you know on a schedule

to, stand, around, and, high, five, each, other afterwards. It's like even after the most famous bit in the film, like when the film comes out, you know, on the day of like, okay, so now we're going to put the camera over here and now we're going to get this shot and you know Jason, you know this. It's just you're always moving on to the next thing.

But, then, you, see, it, in, the, editing, room, but it's just you and the editor and you're like, "Oh god, I wish I had them all around to watch this right now what they've all created."

Yeah., I, think, the, times, that, you, have that moment actually is when you're doing a scene in one take if it's a because then I think what happens is watching the play crew crowds around the monitor because like did we get it? Did it work

and, there, there, are, quite, a, few, like wers in the running man. So th those are usually the times when the crew really bond over something is like you and Baby Driver like the opening credits of the film is like a threeinut take and with lots of choreography and you know so everybody crowds around the monitor to see whether it works and whether we got it. Um so I think th those are the moments I think where usually everything else is you're just shooting shooting shooting and then like you know it's the end of the day. Well, you can really tell how much you love what you do watching your stuff. You're you're you're one of the most exciting filmmakers that we have, Edgar. Uh it's truly a joy watching everything that you do. Cannot wait to see, man.

It's, been, awesome., And, you've, been, and you've been so supportive of us. You you were one of the first people to text me when we started doing this uh podcast years ago and and you've always been so sweet about it.

So, well,, it, made, me, miss, hanging, out, with you guys. We'll, get, back, to, it., Was, in, the, middle of the pandemic and I was like and then I start texting. are saying, "Oh, I I miss you, but then I hear you every week. It feels like in my life and stuff." So

finish, up, your, post, and, get, back, up. I'm, going, to, be, in, London, in, 10, days, and I'm going to

I, know., I, I, You, know, what?, I, I, have tickets to see Is this thing on? Oh,, you, love, it., Such, a, good, movie. You'll love it.

Unless, I'm, mixing,, I'll, be, there. Great., Great., Please, be, there., Please.

I, actually, got, tickets, ahead, of, time., I was going to tell you that. I'll see you in London.

Oh,, man., I, can't, wait, to, see, you., Oh, good. I hope you come. I hope you come to be

and, we, all, we, always, say, like,, you, know, everybody check out whatever movie or whatever somebody's promoting. But I don't have to tell people to check out The Running Man because just watch the trailer. People are going to come. It's incredible.

I'm, so, excited, for, The, Running, Man., I'm so excited to see this film. Let, me, put, it, this, way., The, guy, who, got the film green lit is on the call.

Hey, brava. Bravo. Wait, really? Paramount, were, like,, "We're, not, sure about this at this budget level." And they said, "John Hayes is in." Okay

here, we, go., Check,, check,, check,, check, check. But we did really quick, we saw Giant. You to you a couple years ago you're like "Let's go see Giant with uh Rock Hudson and James Dean

at, the, Vista." At, the, Vista,, right?, And, we, go, and, uh and I because I knew you had a sweet tooth, too, cuz you had Junior Mint sent to the set of uh Baby Driver. And I go to the lobby and I get a pack of Swedish Fish, finish them. I come and go get another one with another packet of Swedish Fish. And you turn to me and you go, "Wow, so it's really true."

Oh,, the, lights, the, lights, have, gone, out again. This must be the end. Anyway, we love you. Thank you uh for being here. It's so nice to see your faces.

It's, so, good, to, see, you. We'll, see, you, all, soon, in, person. Thanks, for, doing, this.

So, good, to see, you., Love, you., Bye., Bye. Bye. I'm, going, to, do, the, traditional, slamming of the laptop.

Oh,, yeah. There, you, go. that Edgar. I mean, he's just, you know I I I I called you a stuffed animal with blood uh on my recent press tour uh as as an attempt to say the most flattering thing I could possibly say about you cuz you're so goddamn sweet. But he would be

the, stuffed, animal, with, blood, that's sitting right next to you. Yeah, he's

on, the, on, the, dayb, bed., He's, such, a, good such, a, good, person. Such, a, good, person., So, sweet., Always been He's always so warm. And then it sort of it betrays like this incredible talent that he

is, one, of, our, great, filmmakers,, you know, I love to watch him do his thing on set.

It's, so, fun. He's, so, he, he's, so, like, calm and, he, brings, people, together,, too., I mean, he did right, you know, he's introduced us to so many of our friends that we became friends with over the years. certainly to me and you know lifelong friends Pete Sarapin which obviously we we mentioned before and all those guys in Simon he's just such a great people person and you know he's just such a great person.

Yep. Yeah., Good, friend. Jason, Jason, you, look, like, you, look, like you have to go.

I, was, grinding, on, a, buy, right, then, but um I, know none, of, them, seemed, really, good, enough. Um

you, got, it., Is, there, anything, that, you that was sort of coming close? Um,, well,, he's,, you, know,, he's, a, great person who brings a bunch of people together. Makes it really hard to say goodbye to those people. But that's just too literal and you got to commit.

I, mean,, the, fact, that, he, lives, in England and also in No, don't do that. By by country by

We, haven't, used, that, one. I, mean,, it's, loose., It's, loose,, but it'll work.

Talk, about smart. Smart glass. Smartless, is, 100%, organic, and, artisally handcrafted by Bennett Barbco, Michael Grant, Terry, and Rob Armjarf. Smart less.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Edgar Wright | SmartLess"?

Curtis Wayne Wright (Guest), Edgar (Guest), Positive Sean (Host), Will Arnett (Host), Amy [last name or role to be added] (Guest), Beck [full name or role to be added] (Guest).

What is discussed in "Edgar Wright | SmartLess"?

In order: 0:00 The Thing, Shaun of the Dead, Shawn of the Dead, Will Arnett; 10:00 Halloween, Comet Relief, The Thing, Wild at Heart; 20:00 Nick Frost, Spaced, Spaced, Simon Peg; 30:00 Baby Driver, Baby Driver, Baby Driver, The Thing; 40:00 The Running Man, The Running Man, Connie Stephen, Baby Driver; 50:00 The Running Man, Baby Driver, The Running Man, Baby Driver; 1:00:00 Michael Grant Terry, SmartLess.

What is mentioned in this SmartLess episode?

148 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Curtis Wayne Wright, Edgar, The Running Man, Shaun of the Dead, Positive Sean, The Running Man. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Edgar Wright | SmartLess"?

The episode runs 1 h 2 min; the transcript is about 13,533 words in 301 timestamped sections.

More from SmartLess

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated February 6, 2026.