Congratulations Peggster.net on reaching 5 years old (fifty in website years). Thanks to all you hitters, posters, moderators and lurkers and special reinforced super thanks to Ms. Harmony Carrigan for thinking the whole thing up and executing it with such extraordinary aplomb.

Love and thanks all round.

Simon (Peggster in Chief)

Just after I wrote this Edgar sent me the link to his own lovely tribute to the great man. Head on over to edgarwrighthere.com to read it. It's no surprise that we echo each other's sentiments entirely and Edgar has put together a beautifully thoughtful piece, which really sums up our feelings for Edward. I wanted to post my own thoughts nonetheless, since they are personal to me and my affection for the great man is boundless.



Edward Woodward was in my opinion, one of the country's finest actors, a true luminary of the British stage and screen, whom I was lucky enough to get to know in 2006 during production on Hot Fuzz. Whilst hatching our 'straight cop in a crooked world' tale, Edgar Wright and myself had always hoped to secure the services of Mr. Woodward, not least because our story was in no small way a tribute to the inspired 1973 horror/mystery/quasi musical, The Wicker Man in which Edward starred as the ultra pious, Sergeant Howie. A similarity he was quick to point out on his first day in the rehearsal room. I have a very clear memory of Edward's arrival. He was immaculately turned out (as always, it transpired), leaning on his walking stick having negotiated a flight of stairs, somewhat out of puff. Edgar and myself stood up, as one does when a superior enters the room, to receive him with barely disguised geekish warmth, to which he responded with impeccable courtesy, although I'm sure internally, he was reserving his judgement. After all, who were we? A pair of spotty herberts, whose only distinction from the legion of fans he must have encountered over the years, was that we had written a film he had agreed to be in. We chatted for a while, partly to allow Edward to get his breath back, partly because Edgar didn't want to immediately assume the role of authoritarian; mainly because we just wanted to get to know him. It became apparent very quickly that Edward was great company. A true raconteur with a seemingly endless supply of stories from his eventful life and illustrious career. From tales of working with Olivier to meeting the mafia on the set of The Equalizer to an hilariously improbable encounter with another Edward Woodward deep in the Australian outback. We realised quickly that at least part of each rehearsal day should be given over to what we referred to as 'anecdote time' , not least when Edward was joined by the likes of Billie Whitelaw and Timothy Dalton. It was a genuine treat for myself and Edgar to sit back and watch this hugely talented and experienced actor, tell us of his experiences in a world we had ourselves, barely ventured into.

On set, Edward was the absolute model of professionalism. Gregarious, focused and utterly dedicated to giving the best performance he could. The fact that this was an outright, often silly comedy did not in anyway undermine Edward's commitment to the role of Tom Weaver, the Neighborhood Watch Alliance's chief civilian liaison to the Sandford Police Service. It was enormous fun just to watch him bring the character to life. Sometimes as an actor, it's hard to stay in character when you are performing alongside people for whom you have such respect. It's almost too exciting, you want to laugh, take stock, proffer a hug. This was definitely the case with Edward.

My last memory of this kind and endlessly likable man is a very happy one. At a small get together in central London to celebrate the completion of the movie, Edgar and myself had given our heartfelt thanks to the assembled cast, when Edward stood up unannounced and proceeded to entertain the room for a good five minutes, with jokes and sweet sentiments about his time on the film, that left us genuinely touched and beaming with pride. This was after all Edward Woodward; Sergeant Howie, 'Breaker' Morant, David Callan, The Equalizer. It's one thing to meet your heroes, it's another find them the person you hoped they would be. Edward was definitely one such hero.

Simon Pegg 16/11/09

Hi all,

Thought you might like to hear how things are going on the Paul front. It's been a while since we wrapped now and with the absence of Lance B's video blogs, I guess things must seem to have gone very quiet. Rest assured the good (space)ship Paul is progressing apace. Our venerable and brilliant director Greg Mottola, is currently ensconced in an edit suite in NYC with Oscar winning editor, Chris Dickens (Slumdog Millionaire ... and Spaced, Shaun and Fuzz), putting together the first pre f/x cut. The next phase of the process will see Greg and Chris continue to hone and cut the movie and will of course entail the complex process of bringing Paul himself to life, combining the efforts of ace f/x wizards, Double Negative and further work with The Green Hornet himself, Mr. Seth Rogen. Rest assured all is going well and we're all very excited. More news of a kind as we encounter it.

Simon

Hello all,

As is being reported by various news sources (don't know who told them, 'cos it wasn't us) we had a little girl last week. Name, weight, time, place etc all belong to us and we won't be going out of our way to divulge them anytime soon. Rest assured, everyone is well.

Thanks for all your well wishes though, they are greatly appreciated.

Love,

Simon.x

There have been a flurry of stories recently, delighting in my rejection of the possibility of ever living in the US, particularly LA. This was of course proliferated by a British publication which decided to run with the passive/aggressive suggestion that nowhere beats ol' Blighty. Where as I probably deflected the notion of emigrating due to my roots; familial and social connections being of great importance to me, it was in no way a dismissal of LA. Maureen and I have had a wonderful time whilst living in the City of Angels and Santa Monica has far more to offer than solely a British themed pub. I feel a huge debt and affection to the people I have encountered during my stay in this beguiling city from the wonderful doctors at St. John's Medical Center, to the staff at the Starbucks on the corner of Montana and 7th. Whatever the future holds for me, be it London forever or a more international lifestyle, I'd be a lucky man if I ever settled in this crazy, erratic but ultimately warm and friendly town. Clarification ends.

p.s. Kristen Wiig is one of the funniest human beings I have ever met. If you aren't already a fan, seek her out. She is, quite simply, extraordinary. I jump up and down and clap every time I see her.

Sx

Hello all,

It's here. Your one stop shop for all things Paul. Kicking off with not one, not two but three video blogs AND the opportunity to ask us questions, not to mention stay abreast of our progress here in sunny/cloudy/windy/rainy/hot/freezing New Mexico.

Ladies and gentlemens, I give you ... http://www.whatispaul.com

Enjoy.

Simon.x

Okey dokey then. Hope you guys boldly go this weekend and if you do, I hope you enjoy it. I'm very proud of this movie and of everybody involved with it. It's a hell of a ride, so in the words of one James Tiberius Kirk ... buckle up.



Sx