Smile! New 'Ghost Protocol' clip boasts humor

A new clip from Brad Bird's new "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" adventure has surfaced on the Web, and it features Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg having quite the humorous discussion about an upcoming mission. Be advised, this one contains witty dialogue.

"Protocol," the latest and probably not the last installment in the series also stars Tom Cruise, who will sort of pass on the torch to Renner. If this flick succeeds at the box office, and I believe it will, Renner could take over in future sequels. Also part of the cast: Paula Patton.

Besides the crazy action and freakingly awesome stunts, one thing I am looking forward to in this flick is the acting. "Protocol" features a strong cast, and the clip above strongly suggests the performances will make this an even more enjoyable experience.

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" infiltrates theaters Dec. 21, 2011, and I am ready!

International Trailer for 'Paul' with Simon Pegg

Greg Mottola's upcoming comedy "Paul" opens in theaters March 18, 2011, and the international trailer just debuted at MSN. Check it out after the jump. Looks like quite the strange sci-fi comedy...

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America’s UFO heartland, where they meet a distressed alien named Paul, who is on the run from federal agents.

"Paul" also stars Jane Lynch, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen's voice, Blythe Danner and Sigourney Weaver. The trailer below offers a funny first look at the upcoming comedy.

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Simon Pegg back for 'Mission: Impossible IV'

How about some more "Mission: Impossible IV" news? Word is Simon Pegg may return as Benji in Brad Bird's upcoming "Mission: Impossible" sequel. Paramount may launch the film into production very soon.

Andre Nemec and Josh Appelbaum wrote the script, and J.J. Abrams is back on board to produce. Tom Cruise is back as well, and word is Ethan Hunt will train a young operative this time around. We'll see...

Funny man Pegg, who also starred in Abrams' "Star Trek," will soon be seen in Greg Mottola's "Paul." He's also part of the cast of "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn." (Source: Heat Vision)

What is 'Paul'? Here's the synopsis!

Filmmaker Greg Mottola ("Superbad" & "Adventureland") is currently working on his next feature, and in case you missed it, it's a sci-fi comedy titled "Paul." But what is "Paul" exactly? The answer has arrived and you can read the official synopsis just below:

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunite for the comedy adventure "Paul" as two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America’s UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien who brings them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever.

For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (Seth Rogen) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base. For reasons unknown, the space-travelling smart ass decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town—a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy and Clive Collings.

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Is Len Deighton on Quentin Tarantino's wish list?

Quentin Taratino is currently traveling around promoting "Inglourious Basterds," but that doesn't stop him from chatting about some potential projects he'd love to tackle.

While talking to the Sun, Tarantino revealed that he would love to bring some of author Len Deighton's books to the big screen, particularly "Berlin Game," "Mexico Set" and "London Match."

Of course, Tarantino also mentioned a few names he said he would love to work with. "I am a huge fan of Simon Pegg, so I would definitely love to work with him," he told The Sun.

"I also think Kate Winslet is one of the best actresses that ever lived, so I would be honoured to work with her," he said. Other names included Anthony Hopkins and Michael Caine.

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Daily news dose: Seth Rogen joins 'Paul'; Dustin Hoffman boards 'Barney's Version'

Here is your dose of film news for May 27, 2009:

• Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Jane Lynch have joined Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Greg Mottola's upcoming comedy "Paul," which Pegg and Frost also wrote. The film follows two sci-fi freaks who encounter a real alien during a road trip to Area 51. Rogen will voice the alien. (Variety)

• Dustin Hoffman has joined Paul Giamatti in Richard J. Lewis' indie drama "Barney's Version," based on the novel by Mordecai Richler. The film focuses on a character who's been through three marriages, has had two children, and may have been somehow involved in the disappearance of one of his buddies. Hoffman will play a retired cop. (Variety)

• Liraz Charhi has boarded Doug Liman's "Fair Game," a drama about the Valerie Plame Wilson case. The Hollywood Reporter says Charhi plays an Iraqi doctor sent to Baghdad to collect information about Saddam Hussein's nuclear program. Naomi Watts and Sean Penn co-star.

• Jessica Szohr from "Gossip Girl" is set to star in Alexandre Aja's upcoming "Piranha 3-D." Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Ving Rhames, Dina Meyer and Richard Dreyfuss are already cast. The film, which will open March 19, 2010, follows a group of strangers battling hungry fish in a lake. (Variety)

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost to star in 'Tintin'

We haven't heard that much about Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's ambitious "Tintin" project in a while, but the movie is certainly not dead. On the contrary, it's actually set to head into production in the coming months.

Now, according to the folks at Ain't It Cool News, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are on board to star as Thomson and Thompson. This info comes from one of their sources, so it has not been announced officially quite yet.

Okay, as you know these two characters totally look alike and Pegg and Frost share no physical similarities at all, but I think they'll somehow be able to make it work because the animated film will be shot in 3D using motion-capture technology.

Andy Serkis is also on board as Captain Haddock. Thomas Sangster was attached to star as Tintin, but he recently dropped out because of scheduling conflicts.

That's all I got for you for now. "Tintin" will be produced on a budget of $130 million via Sony and Paramount. Spielberg is helming the first film, while Jackson will direct the second one.

Good to now this is moving ahead. "Tintin" always was a huge part of my childhood, and I can't wait to see that delightful character stroll across the big screen.

Review: “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People”

Seen on: October 4, 2008

The players: Director: Robert B. Weide, Writer: Peter Straughan, Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Simon Pegg, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson

Facts of interest: Inspired by the book by Toby Young.

The plot: A British journalist (Pegg) discovers a way into the world of celebrities when he's offered a job at a prestigious New York magazine.

Our thoughts: “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” marks Simon Pegg’s latest effort in a lead role, and while the British comedian puts on a decent enough show, everything around him falls to pieces early on. Inspired by the life of Toby Young, the film focuses on a British celebrity journalist who gets the unique opportunity to work for Sharps, New York’s most respected magazine.

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'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People' web reviews

Simon Pegg plays a British writer invading a big-time New York magazine in Robert B. Weide's new comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," which also stars Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton, Jeff Bridges, Kirsten Dunst and Megan Fox. That's quite a cast! But is the film funny enough? And how is Pegg doing in the lead role? Let's find out:

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It all boils down into a hodgepodge of scenes that seem to be thrown together in singular attempts to capture an audience's attention rather than service any kind of cohesive story with a particular goal."

• Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson: "Pegg helps a great deal in this regard. He doesn't actually give a consistent performance, as he did so well in 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz,' but he's also not afraid of being 'unlikeable.'"

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Simon Pegg leaves ‘Bastards,’ joins ‘Paul’

Yes, you read right. British actor Simon Pegg left Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming WWII drama “Inglorious Bastards” because of scheduling conflicts, according to Empire Online.

Okay, it may not hurt the project that much, but I was definitely looking forward to Pegg kicking butt as a British lieutenant.

On the other hand, however, “Superbad” director Greg Mottola is set to direct “Paul,” a road trip comedy written by Pegg and his buddy Nick Frost, whose acting credits include “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.”

Not much is known about that project at this stage, but the plot centers on two buddies taking a road trip across America.

That’s good news. I strongly believe in Mottola’s ability to direct other hilarious comedies, and with Pegg and Frost supplying him with a script, what could possibly go wrong?