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5th
April 04 |
 Interview
by Gavin Hanly
If you live
or work in London, it's been hard to miss the posters advertising the new romzomcom
out on on April 9th. From the creators (and much of the cast) of Spaced comes
the film that should show everyone how to make a proper zombie film (none of this
"running" malarkey). 2000AD readers reacted with joy when we heard that
the films creators Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg were producing an original strip
for the comic, with Pegg in particular being well known as a huge 2000AD fan.
We caught up with a very busy Edgar Wright to ask him a few questions about the
adaptation.
How did the
2000AD strip come about and how does it link into the film? Did you ever consider
a full blown adaptation of the film?
It was a suggestion from the 2000AD boys themselves. I think
we'd shown our fanboy stripes in Spaced - with the use of Bisley, Jim Murray and
Jason Brashill's artwork and even a brief appearance from Tharg (in the comicshop
storeroom).
We dismissed the idea of a full adaptation - as the prog comes
out before the film. Also writing a parallel story is much more fun. The great
thing about zombie films is there is a million different stories in any crisis.
Not just Shaun's.
Has the Shaun prequel given you a taste for writing comics?
Can we expect any further comic strip outings?
It was fun. For Simon especially, writing the strip was a dream
come true. I always fancied myself as a 2000AD artist but was not good enough.
It would be nice to do some more strips in the future. If this
goes well, we can do another parallel story.
 You've
got loads of American coverage from pretty influential sites like Ain't it Cool.
Are you looking forward to the US release? Are you afraid they won't get it or
do you care?
We definitely made the film to appeal to a UK audience first
and foremost. But having just come back from a screening with the legendary Harry
Knowles, I can confirm that they do get it and loved it. Slackers and geeks are
universal in their loves and concerns.
Are you into
comics in general? Any favourite artists or writers that come to mind?
I used to be. Particularly
in that late 80's period in the wake of The Dark Knight Returns. That and Killing
Joke were much loved. Aside from that I was a real Marvel boy, used to buy everything
(and still got them in little plastic bags too). I was a real early Todd MacFarlane
fan. Not only his Spider-man period, but also his stint on the 'grey' Incredible
Hulk with Peter David writing. Also a big Bernie Wrightson fan.
Do you still read 2000AD? If so, what do you think of it
these days? Does it fill you with a nostalgia for your youth?
I don't read it
as much as I should or used to, but I was a big 2000AD nut in the 80's . Used
to read it in the late 80's to early 90's, around the period of Bisley's ABC warriors.
I also used to devour the Megazine but also the Best Of 2000AD monthly, particular
favourites being Strontium Dog. I liked to immerse myself in the older strips
like Robo Hunter, the V.C.s and Nemesis. Artist wise I obviously had a big love
for Brian Bolland and Simon Bisley but also Carlos Ezquerra and Mike McMahon.
 If
someone gave you the opportunity (i.e. budget/creative freedom etc) to make a
2000AD film would you be interested? Do you think there's room for more genre
movies with a UK feel?
Yes, very much so. I always wanted to make a film out of the
Strontium Dog story 'The Killing' - where Johnny and Wolf are on the planet full
of bounty hunters. Like a Battle Royale before it's time. I don't see why there
couldn't be a great UK genre film in the mould of Mad Max 2.
Simon seems to have taken the demise of Johnny Alpha fairly
hard. Does playing him in the audio stories help him cope with the pain?
I think so. I don't know whether he wore a curly black wig
in the recording booth or not though.
Will it ever be possible for a grown man to read a comic
on the tube without getting disparaging looks from strangers?
I don't see why not. If grown men can read Harry Potter on
the tube then it's all fine as far as I'm concerned. I read Heat on the bus -
which is a guilty pleasure.
Should comics/horror/science
fiction be more mainstream or would that just ruin it?
 I
think they should remain as left-field and quirky as possible. In this day and
age, if anything, you need to be a bit more twisted to survive. As far as English
comics go, I'm not sure the mainstream angle has ever troubled it.
And finally - what's next for you both? Are there any other
film genres that you'd like to attack next?
Sci-fi, action,
musicals. They are all good jumping off points into craziness. Have vague ideas
for a sci-fi comedy, a cop horror and a car chase musical. Love to mix things
up. Can't wait to start on the next one.
The Shaun
of the Dead strip appears in prog 1384, and the film opens on April 9th all over
the UK (US tbc). We order you to see it.
Find out
more at the official site.
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