• News

• All

Director Greg Mottola and actor/writer Simon Pegg at the Paul at Comic-Con 2010

Jul 27, 2010 By Mark Redfern Photography by Wendy Lynch Redfern

Paul, the upcoming movie written by and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (the first theatrical movie the stars of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz have written together), was destined to have a panel at Comic-Con, as part of the movie takes place at the famed convention. Pegg and Frost play British geeks who come to Comic-Con and then take a road-trip across America in an RV, in which they encounter an actual alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen). The comedy is due out March 18, 2011 and features an impressive cast, many of whom were at the panel, including Pegg, Frost, Rogen, Bill Hader, Sigourney Weaver, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, and Joe Lo Truglio. The film also stars Kristen Wiig, Jane Lynch, Blythe Danner, Gilbert Gottfried, and Gregg Turkington (as his Neil Hamburger character), as well featuring as a cameo by comic book writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead).

Pegg and Frost took an actual road-trip across America to prepare for writing the script. "A lot of what happened on that road-trip is in the film, including meeting an alien," Pegg joked near the start of the lively panel (which happened about an hour after the infamous stabbing incident took place in the same room, in which one attendee stabbed another one near his eye with a pen in a disagreement over seats).

Director Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) said that he wanted to work with Pegg and Frost because he was so impressed with Shaun of the Dead. "If I could ever make a movie as perfect as Shaun of the Dead, I'd retire. Which is why I haven't retired," Mottola joked.

A Comic-Con exclusive trailer, or "sizzle reel," as Pegg put it, was screened. The trailer began with Pegg and Frost standing outside the San Diego convention center, about to enter Comic-Con, which drew enthusiastic applause and screams from the audience. Pegg wears an Invincible t-shirt in one scene. Tambor plays a sci-fi writer they both admire who's also a bit of a dick. Eventually they go on their road-trip and meet the titular alien Paul near Area 51. Soon government agents (Bateman and Truglio) are after them.

Tambor said that he first came to Comic-Con in the '80s for the TV show Max Headroom. "I think this movie is great and does these people proud," the veteran actor said in reference to the Comic-Con audience. "It's our love letter to all of you really, so we hope you enjoy it," said Frost. The interior Comic-Con scenes were in reality shot at a recreation of the event in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "We actually tried to shoot here last year, but to quote the San Diego fire marshal, 'No fucking way!'"

The cast was asked what their Comic-Con experiences (past or present) had been like and if they get noticed/stopped when walking around. Frost joked that he had been "walking around...dressed as a slave [Princess] Leia." Bill Hader said that "from 2000 to 2004 I came as a fan and I really loved it. This is the first time I've come with a project and I was on the floor and no one gave a shit."

"I too went on the floor," said Tambor, "and people thought I was Dr. Phil."

"Since I lost a little weight I look a little like J.J. Abrams," joked Rogen. "People don't like me so much, but they fucking love J.J. Abrams."

The panel ended with Rogen relating his favorite Comic-Con moment. "A few years ago here I smoked a joint with [comic book writer] Ed Brubaker and Method Man, at the same time. Fuck yeah!"