Any actor who can smack a zombie upside the head with a cricket bat (Shaun of the Dead), chase down criminals while carrying a machine gun (Hot Fuzz) and figure out transwarp beaming (Star Trek), can easily go on a road trip with an alien who'd rather chill out on the couch than take over the world.
Actor Simon Pegg and his long-time friend and co-star Nick Frost have an adventure of a lifetime as they discover a rather unusual alien in Paul. The sci-fi comedy directed by Greg Mottola also stars Kristen Wiig, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, Sigourney Weaver and a very special cameo worth his weight in geek cred.
StarWars.com chats with Pegg about the origins of Paul, his favorite Comic-Con memory, why Roswell is a perfect spot for an alien encounter and how Paul would fit into the Star Wars galaxy.
How did the idea for Paul come about?
It started as a joke. We were being hammered by rain whilst shooting Shaun of the Dead back in 2003 and our producer, Nira Park jokingly asked if we could come up with an idea that would mean we could shoot somewhere it wasn't so wet. Nick and I decided to spontaneously riff a pitch, for our next film. We thought of the desert because of the constant sunshine, that lead us to Nevada and Area 51, which of course meant aliens.
We then insinuated ourselves as two British tourists and arrived at the idea we would happen upon an alien in the desert and help him get back to his ship. The alien would look very much like we would expect him to look but he would behave like an ordinary, slightly grouchy guy. His name, we plucked out of the sky, would be Paul. Five years later with Edgar [Wright] gearing up to shoot Scott Pilgrim, Nick and I decided to go back to the idea we'd had all those years ago and write the movie.
There are plenty of sci-fi references in the film -- which one is your favorite?
There are lots but they all came about very organically. We didn't set out to refer to certain films, it just happened that way. It's hard to pick a favorite and since the next question deals specifically with my favorite Star Wars reference (of which there are a few), I would say a certain nod to a very famous line from the sequel to the film that put a certain Paul actress on the cinematic map. As Paul says about the pick up point at which he has arranged to meet is ship, you'll know it when you see it.
Which is your favorite Star Wars reference in Paul?
Probably the scene where the gang enter a roadhouse which has the distinct feel of another famous movie bar -- a seedy little dive situated in a wretched hive of scum and villainy, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. You know the tune, you're singing in your head right now.
Having San Diego Comic-Con as a geektastic destination in Paul, what real-life experiences at the convention did you draw inspiration from?
We've had some great times at Comic-Con. I lined up to meet Carrie Fisher the first time I attended. She was lovely and the moment of eye contact I shared with her meant the world my inner Star Wars fan. She was my first crush and my heart was racing. I guess we channeled a little of that excitement as Graeme and Clive are in line to meet the sci-fi author, Adam Shadowchild played by Jeffrey Tambor.
Every sci-fi fan's dream is to accidentally discover an alien at Roswell. Do you think after seeing Paul more fans will be making the "trek" out to the desert?
I hope so. There's not much out there to look at but the vibe is definitely there. It's like Loch Ness, you may never see the monster but there is an eerie sense of potential by the water. The Nevada desert is big and lonely and you can totally get why people may have had some odd experiences out there, particularly with a top secret Air Force base nearby. The strange lights in the sky may have a very earthly origin but out there you could totally buy into a conspiracy theory about alien tech. It is, as they say, a trip.
How much research did you do about Area 51? Was there anything usual you discovered you didn't know before? What was it like visiting the real Area 51?
We didn't actually visit Area 51, just the surrounding area and Rachel, NV. The Little A'Le'Inn which is the diner we visit in the movie is a real place and I highly recommend it. The special Alien Burger is delicious.
What is it about Paul that makes him different than any other alien on the big screen?
Paul's like E.T. but less of a hippy. He swears, drinks, smokes and has the capacity to be a little rude but he's a loyal friend and a fierce ally. He's the best friend every science fiction fan dreams of having. All the other aliens around at the moment just want to eat, kill or enslave us. This guy just wants to hang out and have fun.
If Paul were in Star Wars, which side would he be working for -- Darth Vader or Rebel Scum?
Paul would probably not get involved in politics. Morally speaking he would be on the side of the rebels but he probably wouldn't join the rebellion because it would be too much like hard work for him. He's more likely to sit in the corner of the cantina and mind his own business. Listen to the music, soak up the vibe, have a drink with Uncle Owen.
Why should Star Wars fans everywhere go see Paul?
Paul is a film made by Star Wars fans and fellow Star Wars fans will get a lot out of it. When I was 12 and I saw E.T. recognize Yoda on Halloween and heard that phrase of Yoda's theme intrude upon the E.T. score, I felt like Steven Spielberg had made a film specifically for me. We think you will feel the same way about Paul.
Paul opens in theaters March 18. Watch trailers, featurettes and more on the official Paul movie site.
Be sure to watch this video of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost re-enacting C-3PO and R2-D2 stuck in the desert.
Follow Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Greg Mottola on Twitter.
