Simon Pegg Set to Direct His First Ever Feature Film!!

Simon Pegg may be known around the world for his quick wit, iconic characters, and clever screenwriting — but now he’s eyeing a spot behind the camera, too. While promoting Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — in which he will play Benji Dunn for the final time… or is it? — Pegg sat down with Collider’s Steve Weintraub to talk about his work on the franchise. The conversation took a turn toward what’s next, specifically, whether Pegg has any new writing projects in the works. Turns out, Pegg is quietly preparing his feature directorial debut. And no, it is not a sequel to his… shall we say, “acclaimed” short film Au Revoir, Chris Hemsworth.

“I am writing something,” Pegg confirmed. “Au Revoir, Chris Hemsworth, for those of you who don’t know, was a small, three-minute French New Wave movie I made with Pom Klementieff in Venice while we were having a break on Mission: Impossible. It was part of their fantasy football league. It was a diss video about Chris Hemsworth. It’s amazing. It’s on YouTube. Check it out.” Though that short was just for fun, Pegg is officially working on something a little more serious — and potentially his first full-length feature as director. He told Collider:

“I’ve adapted a book which I have loved for a long time, which I hope to direct. I can’t really say any more than that because I don’t want to jinx it. Nothing’s been officially announced, but that’s the last thing I wrote.”

When asked whether the project might begin shooting this year or next, Pegg responded with a hopeful “soon.”

What Films Has Simon Pegg Written?

This would be Pegg’s first time directing a feature film, but not his first brush with filmmaking outside acting. He’s long been one of the creative forces behind beloved films like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, co-writing those movies with Edgar Wright and delivering some of the most influential genre comedies of the 21st century. He also co-wrote Star Trek Beyond, Paul, and Run Fatboy Run. Pegg has often spoken about his admiration for directors like Wright, Christopher McQuarrie, and J.J. Abrams — and it seems that admiration is now turning into action.