Just Another Reason For Me To Love Simon Pegg....

I adore Simon Pegg and everything he has done professionally. I also feel like he is a true "geek" in his own personal life and loves the culture as only a true fan from childhood can. So when he appeared on Sirius Radio's show 'Unmasked' and relayed a story about the first time he showed his 3 year old daughter A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, it juts drives home the point that he is someone who "gets it" and should be looked towards for opinions by big wigs on what geeks may want to be included/excluded from projects to come. Check out the story after the jump and how it may have influenced JJ Abrams in his production choices for Star Wars VII (a movie that Pegg is not even billed as appearing in!). I love this man....



So apparently, when he sat down to watch Empire with his daughter and Yoda came on the screen this is the exchange between them that occurred:

When he appears, I saw her sort of sit up. She looked at the screen and then she looked at me and then she looked back at the screen and she watched it for a bit. And then she said – ‘Daddy, he’s real!’ And I kind of like burst out crying. I was like – ‘You’re my child!’ And it’s because he’s there. He’s there interacting with Mark Hamill. Even if he was CG, we’d still know he wasn’t really there because he’s a sort of a little long-eared alien. But the fact that it was a puppet who’s existing in the same space as Mark Hamill, talking to him, it made her believe in him in a way that CG would never do.”

OH. MY. GOD. What a perfect way to raise a child, and the validation of her saying this has to make you feel good as a geek parent. But it gets better.

Apparently on a set visit to SW VII, he met up with his friend JJ Abrams. Pegg relayed the story to JJ, and JJ used that story as part of his argument with the big wigs and executives for more practical effects and puppets over full on CGI. Abrams had been making the case for practical effects all along, but Pegg's story literately put a face to the feelings and may have been the reason why they ultimately allowed JJ to do his thing.

When Pegg finally got the chance to visit the Star Wars set (and possibly shoot a role in the movie, depending on who you believe), the actor was approached by some of the puppeteers, who identified him as “the guy whose daughter saved Star Wars.”
“I know that J.J. had always planned to do that,” Pegg said of the new film’s use of practical effects, “but it was a nice little validation of that impulse, I think, to have a child of that age say that.”

Wow. Imagine being that kid.... her timely and TRUE comments may have helped save the new Star Wars films.... Congrats Simon, you got a good egg right there!!!  

'The World's End' Gets New Posters... And I Am getting More Excited By The Day!!!!

I am eagerly anticipating the release of the latest Nick Frost/Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright collaboration... literally gonna be one of the best moments of my cinematic summer. But I am getting even more excited when I see the newest promotional materials being issued for the movie. I am getting a very spacey, galactic feel to these pics... and that plays into the alien twist that has been rumored to plague the protagonists, who are on a quest to complete a 12 bar pub crawl that they had failed on when they were younger. With Frost & Pegg leading the charge and Wright behind the camera, I am in. These guys never disappointed me before... why think different now? Check out the new posters after the jump...

 

New Images From 'The World's End' Have Me Even More Excited For The Return Of Wright/Pegg/Frost!!!

Ever since I saw the pure genius that was Shaun of the Dead, I knew that I was going to be a forever fan of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost. The movie was pure perfection, and truth be told there hasn't been much that the three have done since (either as a team or solo) that I haven't enjoyed. They have all branched out to do great stuff, but a chance at getting them back together now that they have reached such great heights in their career is a dream for a fan like me. It looks like I will be getting my wish this year with The World's End, the third chapter in the 'Blood & Ice Cream' trilogy started by Shaun & Hot Fuzz. The movie is top secret, but it revolves around a reunion of 5 high school buddies who started out on a bar crawl through their town bars (there are 12) years ago and only got through 9 of them. Now adults, they plan on tackling the circuit of pubs once again. They plan on culminating the lifelong journey at a pub called The World's End. Only something seems to get in the way... something like aliens perhaps... or another major world ending threat... yeah, shit gets real! With an excellent supporting cast joining Frost & Pegg (Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, and Eddie Marsan) and Wright behind the lens, I am in. The film comes out here in the States in October, but take a look at the 1st movie poster and four stills from the film to wet your beak a bit after the jump...

 

Shaun of the Dead: Lego-ized & Stylized

Shaun of the Dead is one of my favorite movies of the past decade. I loved that freaking movie so much it hurts. It also helped introduce the world to actors Nick Frost & Simon Pegg, and director Edgar Wright. So how cool is it to come across a re-creation of the tavern in the film, The Winchester, made entirely of Legos? Pretty fucking cool... lol. Not only can you enjoy many detailed pics after the jump, but you can also learn how to create the set itself by clicking on this step by step website. I gotta think about putting my utter hatred for assembling Legos myself aside and make this display for my home office. I really might. Enjoy the pics after the jump...

How cool is this comparison shot:

Here Is Some Comic Book Movie News I Can Get Behind!!!

As a true geek I am eagerly anticipating as many comic book movies as humanly possible. I don't give a flying fuck about overkill... as far as I am concerned I have been waiting on quality made comic book movies my whole life. They just seemed to start getting them right around 2000 with X-Men, so I'll take as many as I can get my hands on. Given the fact that these films are making big bucks, it is refreshing to see studios putting together stellar casts to staff the films. Some recent announcements on the comic book movie front have me quite excited. Click after the jump to hear my thoughts on Captain America 2, Lobo, and Ant Man.


First up, it has been announced that Captain America 2 will be The Winter Soldier storyline. This means Sebastian Stanz (the lad who played Bucky in Cap pt 1) will be in full commie mode as Winter Soldier... but I am much more excited to see Caps other sidekick Falcon join the fray. And who will be playing the bird of prey soul brother #1? Anthony Mackie, that's who!!!! I love this casting choice, as Mackie is riding high and will be a great addition to a strong cast for Cap 2. I'm really looking forward to this one because it will straddle both the 1940s & current time frames in the Marvel Universe.

Next, there are rumors circulating that Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, is in line to play the crazy ass Czarian himself... LOBO!!! What a great potential movie this could be, especially with Johnson in the driver seat of the space traveling chopper. I imagine this in the vein of a space based adventure movie like Chronicles of Riddick, with The Rock being snarky, tough as nails, and bad ass in white body paint with chains ablaze!!!! I can't think of anyone possibley better for this role... can you?

Finally, I am hearing that Edgar Wright is getting a great response to his SDCC footage for Ant Man, and obviously the film is moving forward. But who will be under the helmet? This is a big decision, because not only will the actor be getting his own flick but he is sure to play a part in future Avenger storylines in some for or another (either as Ant Man, Giant Man, Goliath or Yellow Jacket... or just Hank Pym the scientist). It's no suprise that Wright's good friend and usual leading man Simon Pegg is being mention for the role, but it seems like that rumor is now becoming more and more of a possibility. Couple this with the fact that Pegg is a natural fit for any comic book property and that he hasn't been in a Marvel flick, I think this is the clear choice... no?

Either way, I think the next few years will continue to be pretty great. As a comic book geek, I am thoroughly intrigued. See you at the cinema!!!!

Finally!!!! A Teaser Poster & Film Synopsis For Edgar Wright's 'The World's End'

As the self proclaimed "World's Biggest Edgar Wright Fan" I have been eagerly awaiting the third installment in his Blood & Ice Cream trilogy with Simon Pegg & Nick Frost. Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz are two of my all time favorite flicks of all time. So obviously I am super excited to see what they have in store for us in 'The World's End'... and now we have a teaser poster & synopsis for the movie. Holy fucking shit, this one sounds epic. Check out the poster & synopsis after the jump...

First the synopsis:

20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub – The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.

Now the poster:

Clearly these ridiculous titles that occupy the majority of the poster are the names of the English Pubs that the gang will try to hit up on this epic bar crawl. We shall soon see. But between this and the epic Ant Man footage that I heard about from this years Comic Con (as soon as it leaks online I am posting it!) it looks like 2013 is gonna be a great year for Mr. Wright & the boys.  I for one can't fucking wait!!!!!

Shaun of the Dead Movie Poster by William Henry

Shaun of the Dead is one of my all time favorite flicks. Edgar Wright killed it. So did Simon Pegg & Nick Frost. Anytime I see a new take on artwork for the film, I am going to get excited and probably post it here on CCD. Why? Because I can... and because Shaun of the Dead is just rad enough to warrant constant posts... Catch the full size poster from William Henry after the jump...

The Death & Return Of Superman: A Short Film by Max Landis

Check out this very cool short film, The Death & Return of Superman by Max Landis. If the name sounds familiar, that is because Max is the son of famous film director John Landis. He is also a now successful screenwriter, ever since his newest script 'Chronicle' opened up at #1 in the box office this week. Anywho, here is Max's riff on the whole "Death of Superman" debacle by DC Comics, and its quite funny. He even has pals like Elijah Wood, Simon Pegg, and Ron Howard along for the ride. This is quite funny. Check it out after the jump...

Payne's 'Replace Face' Blog Brings Our Favorites Back in Time!

Artist Steve Payne  has been devoting a full blog site to recreating images of our favorite celebs in the regal style of George Dawe paintings over at his tumblr site Replace Face. Bruce Willis, Sir Ian McKellan...and even some of Payne's family and friends come to life in full color homages set in 19th Century Europe. According to Payne, George Dawe was... 

"...an English portrait artist who lived in St Petersburg in 1819. He was commissioned to paint portraits of Russian Generals who had successfully fought Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812 and over a nine year period he completed over 300 of them."

***Click 'READ MORE' below for more of Steve Payne's masterful work**

The art seems to come to life seamlessly as if the muse in question really had posed for each. Here's more on what Payne had to say about his own style. 

"I was always drawn to the fun side of image manipulation, the kind of stuff you can do using photos of your friends.

When I first started using photoshop I learnt quite a lot by trying to do that sort of stuff, turning people into JEDI’s, putting them onto movie posters, etc. Then gradually as the years went by I moved on to doing more professional retouching jobs and as I started to learn a different set of techniques I didn’t really do as much of the fun stuff anymore.

So… With that in mind. I decided to do some fun stuff! Yeah, why not!

One thing I’ve always wanted to try (I have a list) is to incorporate someone into a painting, mimicking the painterly brush strokes and making everything fit and work nicely and look natural and stuff. There’s an art to head swapping, I’ve seen so many awful attempts. The most important things to consider are anatomy, perspective and lighting. If you can get those things right, you’re more than halfway there. My artistic ability serves me well with this stuff, I can just tell if something looks wrong"

Who would you like to see Payne recreate next? Give him a shout out at his page or provide suggestions in the comment section below.

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