There are few movies likeShaun of the Dead. Not only in terms of its ability to endure in pop culture 13 years after its release, but few movies have ever managed to blend comedy and horror in such a brilliant way. Some have wondered why we never got a sequel, withSimon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright opting to makeHot Fuzzinstead. As it turns out, Pegg actually, albeit jokingly, pitched aShaun of the Deadsequel that would have involved vampires instead of zombies. Here’s what he had to say about it.
“I jokingly wrote a treatment for From Dusk Till Shaun, which was a sequel. Edgar thought it would be funny to do the film again, with vampires. It was all just pub talk.”
While it doesn’t sound likeEdgar Wrightactually considered making the movie,From Dusk Till Shaunsounds like a fantastic idea. If you haven’t seen Robert Rodriguez’sFrom Dusk Till Dawn, it’s an excellent vampire movie that would make for a great template to do aShaun of the Deadsequel. As Nick Frost explains, there’s certainly enoughfans of the movieto justify doing a sequel.
“I don’t think it was until we went back and did theHot Fuzzworld tour that we realized how much people loved Shaun of the Dead. It went from us doing pretty good gigs at small bars, so to speak, to then going back and there’s 5,000 people going mental.”
Perhaps the time has passed for a sequel toShaun of the Dead, but the idea of doing a sequel with vampires, at least at one point, certainly would have excited fans. Then again, we can’t totally rule it out. Edgar Wright says, “I would like to work with them again, of course.” and Simon Pegg says, “It’s just a question of sync-ing up our respective diaries.” So who knows what that eventual collaboration will be?
While talking aboutShaun of the Dead, Simon Pegg talked a bit about how tough it was to sell the idea of a zombie romantic comedy, or “rom-zom-com,” to people. One such person was legendary actress Helen Mirren, who was offered a role inShaun of the Dead. However, she didn’t end up taking the role.
“Some people just didn’t get [the concept]. I’m not embarrassing her by saying this, because she says the same thing, Penelope Wilton initially passed. Helen Mirren was offered Barbara. She said, ‘I would only do the movie if I got to play Ed.'”
Shaun of the Deadremains not only a great comedy, but anexcellent zombie moviein its own right. The movie was successful, making $30 million at the box office, but its legacy as a cult classic is what really helps the movie endure. Even if we never get to seeShaun of the Dead 2, it’s still fun to think about what could have been. you’re able to check out the full, in-depth conversation with Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright aboutShaun of the Deadover atEntertainment Weekly.
