Nick Frost is being honest about playing Hagrid ahead of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone arriving on the 2026 TV schedule, and admitting his performance may not be for everyone. The actor will tackle the immense role of being Hogwarts' groundskeeper and Harry's confidant, and confirmed he's going to be doing more than emulating the late Robbie Coltrane.

The actor spoke about what he's done with the character in a recent interview with The Times, and how his take on Hagrid had to be different than Coltrane. While he assured there will be some semblance of the iteration his predecessor helped make iconic, there simply needed to be more to the performance due to the length of the series:

Nick Frost added that elements of his Hagrid will be inspired by his uncle, as well as Michael Clarke Duncan's performance in The Green Mile, another great actor who left us too soon. Ultimately I like the comparison between Hagrid and John Coffey, as both could be characterized as "gentle giants" who have immense power but rarely use it.

The actor has no illusion about his take on the character, knowing that some audiences will want him to do a one-to-one performance of Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid. Fortunately, he's largely unbothered by that, as he shared his reaction below:

Not everyone who watches Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will like Nick Frost as Hagrid, though I'd be willing to bet many will. He's a self-confessed superfan of the franchise who made a habit of watching the movies yearly before this remake was ever a thing.

He also has the look down, even if Robbie Coltrane looked more in line with the original illustrations of Hagrid. He also has a solid library of roles to reference that suggest he'll do a fantastic job as the groundskeeper, who always has a penchant for sidestepping the rules a bit to help his friends or a magical creature.

Frost is confronting a reality that every actor in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will face, in that viewers will make comparisons to the former live-action cast. Hopefully, he can pass on his mindset to the younger actors stepping into the roles, and remind them that it's ok if people on the internet feel like the ones that came before them played the roles better. Based on the footage I've seen so far, I think it's possible we'll see many say the exact opposite, but I digress.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will air on HBO and HBO Max come Christmas time. I'm excited to return to Hogwarts this holiday season, and may need to rewatch the movies before it arrives so that I can get in the right frame of mind.

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World is a global franchise, one that's extended to books, movies, video games, theme parks, and (soon enough) the small screen. The upcoming Harry Potter TV show is in the works, and fans are eager to see a more accurate book-to-screen adaptation than the films. Nick Frost is playing the role of Hagrid (famously played by Robbie Coltrane in the Harry Potter movies), and it turns out that he really manifested the role. That's some real-life magic!

The Harry Potter TV show is coming to HBO (and streaming with an HBO Max subscription), and fans can't wait for it to finally arrive. While it's unclear when the premiere will be, we've seen sneak peeks of various actors in costume. In an interview with The Guardian, Frost spoke about his passion for the franchise, and how he tried to will his role as Hagrid into existence. In the actor's words:

Now that's some dedication. And it ultimately was successful, with Frost eventually landing the role of Hogwart's gamekeeper. I wonder if he kept the paper where he wrote Hagrid thousands of times? I'm sure some super fan would like to see or even bid on that bit of Wizarding World history.

While Nick Frost is clearly hyped to play the beloved character in the Harry Potter TV series, he has been the subject of some backlash. For instance, movie director Christopher Columbus took umbrage with him basically wearing the same costume as Robbie Coltrane. Others were skeptical about him playing Hagrid, so it should be interesting to see what the reception is like when he finally debuts as the half-giant.

Given how much this role means to the Shaun of the Dead actor, I have to assume that he'll be putting everything he has into portraying Hagrid. And he should be doing it for years, as the Harry Potter series is expected to play out over seven seasons, each of which adapts one of the novels. So he's got plenty of time to win over those naysayers.

For hardcore fans of the books, the TV adaptation has the ability to be more accurate to the source material. The movies had to cut a lot of material to avoid being too long, including entire plot points and characters. And that's a big reason why there's so much hype around the Potter series.

It's unclear when the Harry Potter TV series will premiere, but it's expected sometime in 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 TV schedule, fans will have to use patience while waiting to see what Nick Frost and the rest of the cast do with their characters.

A new Harry Potter era is upon us! As the HBO series currently films in the U.K. with the first season among upcoming book adaptations for release in 2027, we’ve been starting to see the first images of the cast embodying these iconic characters from the fantasy series. Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Harry Potter movies, has now commented on Nick Frost’s Hagrid, and I think he’s got some valid thoughts about what’s coming.

Chris Columbus Is Being Critical About The New Harry Potter Series

Chris Columbus deserves a lot of credit for bringing Harry Potter to the screen, given he was the first director to make a Harry Potter movie with 2001’s Sorcerer’s Stone before also helming the sequel, Chamber of Secrets. While he wouldn’t ultimately make the whole series, he was a big part of setting the tone of the franchise, casting its leads, coming up with the visual style of the Wizarding World and getting John Williams on board to compose its iconic score.

While talking to The Rest is Entertainment podcast (via THR), Columbus shared his thoughts on what he’s seen so far from the upcoming series. In his words:

The first look at Nick Frost’s Hagrid hit the internet last month, thanks to HBO sharing a photo of the actor in costume. Columbus shared that he noticed how close to Robbie Coltrane's costuming it looks before saying this as well:

To be fair, in the books, Hagrid is described as having a thick shaggy mane and beard while having a very kind nature, so both versions of Hagrid are true to that. One lingering question about Nick Frost’s version is whether he’ll appear taller since Hagrid is 8 '6" in the book, as the actor stands at 5' 7". (Coltrane was 6 ‘1").

As A Harry Potter Fan, He's Bringing Up A Growing Concern I Have For The Series

Anyways, Columbus’s comments bring up a solid point about how the series will choose to stand apart from the beloved movies, or copy the magic of the films because people already love them as they are. Obviously, fans like myself are already looking forward to seeing additional scenes from the book that couldn’t fit in the movies, but I also want the series to have its own identity as well.

I get frustrated with live-action versions of movies or remakes spending too much of its energy to deliver the same thing we’ve already seen, when there are a lot of creative paths one could go with the same material.

I hadn’t necessarily thought about this for Harry Potter, but now that Columbus has brought it up, my worry has grown about whether the TV show will feel more like a re-run than a new rendition of the series for a new generation.

Production on HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is now officially underway and, with that, behind-the-scenes photos are starting to drop. Earlier this week, fans were treated to the first look at Dominic McLaughlin in costume as Harry. Well, the teases are still coming, as the first official look at Nick Frost’s Hagrid has been released. I have to be honest in saying that I wasn’t super bullish on Frost playing Hagrid after his casting was announced, although I’m a big Frost fan. However, this photo alone has already soothed my concerns.

The photo of Nick Frost dressed up as Rubeus Hagrid was shared in a joint post from HBO Max, Warner Bros. TV, Frost himself and more on Instagram. In the photo, the fan-favorite actor sports long hair and a beard, which are defining features of Hogwarts’ groundskeeper and gameskeeper. The chosen attire for the character also seems to be on point. Check out the photo down below:

I don’t know about all of you, but that, to me, looks like Hagrid. Costumes and makeup can do a lot for an actor, and I have to say that the beard and hair, in particular, do a lot for this look. Of course, this is only a photo, and we’ve yet to actually see or hear the Hot Fuzz star actually portraying the beloved Wizarding World character. Of course, even aside from my previous reservations, I felt he could embody the role. It was more so the physicality that I had questions about.

What’s interesting, though, is that because the photo doesn’t show Nick Frost from the waist down, it’s unclear as to how the production might compensate for his stature. Hagrid is a half-giant and is quite tall as a result, while Frost is only 5′ 7″. I’m not sure if practical or digital effects – or a combination of the two – will be used to create Hagrid’s height. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t greatly intrigued to see what Frost and co. do with the character.

I’m not the only one who was a bit leery about the Shaun of the Dead star stepping into Hagrid’s shoes. One of my co-workers was as well, though she was convinced of it due to Frost’s performance in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake. Aside from fans’ thoughts, Frost has also received support since he was confirmed to be taking on the role of one of Harry Potter’s greatest allies. For instance, Simon Pegg shared lovely sentiments after his friend and frequent collaborator booked the gig.

By taking on the wildlife-loving gameskeeper, Nick Frost follows in the footsteps of the late Robbie Coletrane, who played the role in all eight of the Potter films. Frost explained that he wanted to play the role due to his Potter fandom, though he was also attracted by the scripts and the opportunity to work with director Mark Mylod. Frost has also addressed the fact that J.K. Rowling, who wrote the books, is an EP on the show and has been receiving backlash for her anti-trans views. With that, Frost said she’s allowed her opinions, which don’t align with his own.

I’ll certainly need to see more of Nick Frost as Hagrid before I’m 100% convinced of him in this role. However, this photo is an excellent start for that, and I’m hopeful that he’ll do justice to the character.

Harry Potter is set to debut on HBO sometime in early 2027. In the meantime, grab an HBO Max subscription and check out the eight OG films in the franchise.

There are popular franchises, and then there's Harry Potter. The Wizarding World has entertained audiences for decades thanks to the books, theme park, stage plays, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. The franchise (which is streaming with a Max subscription) will soon expand with a TV series. The anticipation for the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation is real, and actor Simon Pegg recently shared his sweet reaction to learning that his friend Nick Frost would be playing Hagrid.

What we know about the Harry Potter series is limited, but the cast is coming together. In addition to John Lithgow playing Dumbledore, Frost was confirmed to play Rubeus Hagrid. In an interview on Collider's TikTok, the Mission: Impossible star revealed that he knew about this casting before the general public. In his words:

NDAs be damned! Obviously, this sort of thing happens all the time, and ultimately, no one in the public knew about this gig until Nick Frost was announced officially as Hagrid. As far as Pegg telling his wife the news, that's something that many couples can identify with. I mean, you need someone to tell the whole truth to!

The Harry Potter TV show is expected to give each of J.K. Rowling's novels their own season, allowing for a more faithful adaptation to the source material with fewer cuts. Fans are fascinated by seeing which actors will play beloved characters, and wondering if any of the Harry Potter cast might join as new ones. In the same interview, Pegg was asked if he'd like a role, and he responded resoundingly with:

Points were made. While he hasn't had to film a Mission: Impossible movie every year, Simon Pegg has been in the franchise for nearly two decades now. After all, he debuted as Benji Dunn in Mission: Impossible II back in 2006. So the idea of joining another years-long contract might not be all that appealing to the 55-year-old actor, who also starred in the Star Trek franchise. Indeed, Lithgow stated that Dumbledore will probably be the last big role of his career. After all, the show will take at least 7 years to film, and that's assuming there's no big gaps between seasons like Game of Thrones or Stranger Things.

It's currently unclear when the Harry Potter TV series will premiere, but new updates about casting are coming out consistently. While we shouldn't expect it on the 2025 TV premiere list, we can re-watch the movies over on Max.

At this point in my life, I've been a ridiculously huge Harry Potter fan for a long time, with an entire wardrobe consisted of Gryffindor T-shirts. I love rewatching the Harry Potter movies, re-reading the books, and even just watching and reading fan theories about the franchise over and over again. However, one thing making me a little nervous has been HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV show.

Do I trust HBO a lot? Of course. The network has delivered iconic shows that have gotten the world talking, and have helped to change the culture of entertainment as we know it, with The Wire, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, The Sopranos and more proving its value, even if not everything is a clear-cut winner.

But it's the beloved character Hagrid that I've been worried about, as it was announced some time ago that Shaun of the Dead vet Nick Frost would be taking over the role of Hagrid for the TV series. Though I've had my doubts, my thoughts on the matter have actually changed in the meantime.

It's Always Hard To Fill The Shoes Of A Character's Original Actor

Let's get one thing straight – no one's ever going to fully replace the live-action characters from the Harry Potter movies. If those were the actors who played the characters that you grew up on, then those are yours to keep. No one can truly take their place in anyone's hearts.

I'm approaching the Harry Potter TV show with an open mind because while I still don't think anyone could quite replace Robbie Coltrane (may he rest in peace) as Hagrid, this is an opportunity to introduce the series to a new generation. I could see another actor playing Hagrid and becoming the love of this generation of kids.

Even so, it's hard to let things go, and when Nick Frost was cast, I was a little concerned. I knew he was a great comedic actor, but would he be able to bring the zaniness to Hagrid that we love, as well as the devotion he has for magical creatures and his students? Could he show just how warm those giant hugs would truly be? I didn't know.

Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long to find out.

Nick Frost's Performance In How To Train Your Dragon Changed My Mind

I freaking loved the live-action How To Train Your Dragon movie. I mean, everyone did, considering the film smoked the competition at the box office. But if we're talking about all these live-action movie remakes, this one takes the cake. It's better than most other Disney live-actions out there.

And one of the best parts was Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch. He perfectly captured the essence of the animated character and elevated it to a level I didn't think possible. He was hilarious and heartwarming, and I honestly cannot see another actor playing him.

That's what makes me so sure of Hagrid. If he can somehow capture that crazy character who sicked dragons on his students to try and teach them a lesson, then I really think he could rock it as Hagrid.

I Have Full Faith He'll Bring Hagrid To Life

There have been some casting decisions for the HP TV show that I haven't been massively supportive of fromt he start. Some have been great, to be sure, while others are more questionable.

But honestly, Nick Frost is the kind of actor that will really take it to another level. He has the skills and the comedic chops. And now, I know he can act well under loads of costuming and make-up – so Hagrid is the perfect choice for him.

Whether this series will end up being just as good as the original HP films, which have become some of the best fantasy movies of all time, is still up for debate. We'll have to wait and see – and maybe reread the books and watch the film again in the meantime.

There’s a lot of big emotions surrounding HBO's Harry Potter series. Between the fact that there’s already one successful book-to-screen adaptation and the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, there is some trepidation when it comes to the show. However, there’s also a lot of hype and excitement from fans as they learn more about this new venture into the Wizarding World. Amidst "the noise," Nick Frost, who will play Hagrid, has opened up about why he signed on to the project.

At the moment, Frost has been promoting the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon and its release on the 2025 movie schedule. While talking about taking over the role of Gobber there, he’s also been asked a lot about the other beloved part he’s taking on in the world of Harry Potter. When IGN posed a question about deciding to play Hagrid in the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation, the actor said:

In the caption of the clip, it noted that Frost was addressing “the controversy of joining the Harry Potter series.” This is not the first time he’s addressed it either. While he didn’t directly mention it in this moment, in an interview with The Observer, he was questioned about Rowling and her views specifically.

There, he said that “she’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they don’t align in any way, shape or form.” He also wondered if this issue should “blow over,” and said that “maybe we should educate ourselves.”

Now, when it comes to why the Hot Fuzz actor said yes, it all has to do with the story they’re going to tell and the creatives he’ll collaborate with. Specifically citing director Mark Mylod, who has helmed episodes of The Last of Us, Succession and Game of Thrones, and showrunner Francesca Gardiner, who was a producer on Succession and wrote episodes of His Dark Materials, the actor is really looking forward to working with this crew.

He’s also a big Harry Potter fan and simply cannot wait to take on the iconic role of Hagrid.

So, that’s why he said yes, and I’d imagine the other actors who will be making their way to the Wizarding World all have their own reasons for accepting their Hogwarts letter. Alongside Frost, John Lithgow has joined the cast as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu will play Snape, and Janet McTeer will play McGonagall. Meanwhile, newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play Harry, Hermione and Ron, respectively.

As the series continues to develop, I assume that more cast members will discuss why they said yes to this project. Then, eventually, we’ll be able to see them all in these beloved roles when the Harry Potter series becomes available to stream with an HBO Max subscription in late 2026 or early 2027.

For years, there have been theories and speculation about Gobber, the beloved How to Train Your Dragon blacksmith, being gay. Moments in the second and third animated movies allude to the idea, however it’s never directly confirmed or denied. So, with the live-action film being on the 2025 movie schedule, we asked Nick Frost about this ongoing conversation.

During CinemaBlend’s interviews with How to Train Your Dragon’s cast, Jeff McCobb asked Gobber actor Nick Frost about this ongoing discourse. Noting that the actor, who is “something of an unexpected gay icon a la Golden Girls or The Babadook," he brought up the theories regarding his character's sexuality. In response, the Hot Fuzz star said:

McCobb noted the theories and evidence surrounding the idea of Gobber being gay. This included a line from How to Train Your Dragon 2 (which you can stream with a Peacock subscription), where he noted the reasons why he wasn’t married. To that point, Frost explained that he really hopes this is an aspect of his character that can be explored more in these live-action movies, saying:

I certainly hope this story blooms as well. It’d be wonderful to have this LGBTQ+ representation in this franchise, and it’d be lovely to see Gobber in a loving relationship. So, here’s hoping that this long-speculated storyline gets some direct love in the officially upcoming How to Train Your Dragon 2.

I mean, they already have a gay icon in the role, as Frost told us:

He’s right; he has been considered a gay icon for a very long time. In fact, back in 2013, when he was on Conan, he explained that he wanted to be on the cover of American Bear. He noted that “big guys” who like “big hairy guys” find him attractive. Then he pitched Conan O’Brien the outfit he would wear on the cover, explaining that it’d have “white chaps, a kind of white cowboy vest and a tiny little cowboy hat” and “two little revolvers."

Clearly, his vision for this cover image hasn’t really changed. And I doubt his thoughts on Gobber will either.

Now, I’m hoping that Gobber and his sexuality can be explored more in How to Train Your Dragon 2. While LGBTQ+ representation in animated movies from Disney, DreamWorks and more has gotten better over the years, there’s still a lot of room for growth. Seeing Gobber speak openly about being gay and maybe even getting a love story would open a lovely door to fully open so we can welcome a new story to this beloved franchise.

The Harry Potter franchise remains a much-discussed topic but not solely for the reasons you might assume. J.K. Rowling, the author of the books at the center of the IP, has drawn backlash in recent years for comments she’s made about transgender people. This week, two notable Wizarding World stars, Tom Felton and Nick Frost were asked about Rowling, and they shared thoughts on her controversial views and their work with her.

Draco Malfoy Actor Tom Felton Weighs In On His Latest Wizarding World Gig

Last week, it was confirmed that Tom Felton would reprise his role as Draco Malfoy for the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The actor appeared at the Tony Awards this weekend, during which he was asked about his reprisal. As shared on Instagram, Variety specifically asked him whether J.K. Rowling’s views “impact” him and his continued involvement in the fantastical franchise. Felton responded by saying that he’s not plugged into that matter and went on to discuss the impact of the Harry Potter movies:

In 2020, J.K. Rowling went viral for making disparaging remarks about transgender women and has been critical of legislation that would ease transitions for people. Rowling has since doubled down on her views, which have drawn mixed reactions from her collaborators and the general public. Around that time, Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe weighed in on the matter and, while he didn’t actually name Rowling in his response, he expressed support for the transgender community and those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson also lent her support to transgender individuals amid the controversy.

One Wizarding World alum to support Rowling was Horace Slughorn actor Jim Broadbent. Bellatrix Lestrange portrayer Helena Bonham Carter also defended the author. When it comes to Tom Felton, his comments seem to suggest that he’s focusing on the impact that Rowling has made through her work as opposed to her personal views.

What Did Nick Frost Have To Say About J.K. Rowling’s Views?

The upcoming Harry Potter TV show is set to feature a fresh cast, which includes Nick Frost. As part of the new series, Frost will take on the role of Rubeus Hagrid, a character who was originated by the late Robbie Coletrane. Frost recently chatted with The Observer about his new gig and was asked about working with J.K. Rowling, given her views. Ultimately Frost thinks “she’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.” As for whether the controversy will overshadow the show, Frost said:

Harry Potter’s TV adaptation is set to debut on HBO Max (which is soon returning after being reverted back from Max) sometime in 2026. Production is coming together, with filming locations being nailed down and the cast is being assembled. Meanwhile, ticket pre-sales for Tom Felton’s run on The Cursed Child will begin on June 10. As for whether J.K. Rowling’s views continue to be brought up as the Wizarding World continues, that remains to be seen.

Since HBO confirmed that a Harry Potter TV series was in the works, fans have been wondering just how big the show might be, as what we knew about the Potter series was limited. Would it be a modest, nostalgic retread of the books? Or something far more ambitious? Based on new comments from actor Nick Frost, who’s stepping into the iconic role of Rubeus Hagrid, it sounds like HBO is aiming for something massive. Think Game of Thrones scale. And honestly? I couldn’t be more pumped for the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation.

In a recent interview with Collider to promote his 2025 movie schedule release, the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, Frost dropped a few juicy details about what the filming schedule for the Harry Potter series will look like. It’s no quick gig. According to the Attack the Block actor, each season is expected to take 10 to 11 months to shoot, nearly a full year of production per season. That’s not your average TV timeline. That’s the kind of heavy-duty, cinematic commitment usually reserved for epic franchises with sprawling worlds and ensemble casts.

But Frost, ever the upbeat presence, isn’t fazed by the workload. He sounds like a kid in Honeydukes. The Shaun of the Dead alum added:

Yes, he did just drop a casual “dancing mushroom,” which might be the most wonderfully weird tease yet. Whether that’s tied to the Forbidden Forest, a Herbology class, or something new entirely, it’s clear the visual scope of the show is going all in on the magic.

Frost didn’t spill much more about the series production beyond the 10–11 month schedule, but this actually tells us a lot. That’s about how long it took HBO to shoot the later seasons of Game of Thrones, which was infamous for globe-hopping production, huge battle scenes, and dense ensemble storylines. It’s a strong sign that the Harry Potter series won’t just rehash the films in episodic chunks, but it’s being built as a prestige series with the scale and ambition to match its beloved source material.

This tracks with earlier reports that HBO is approaching the show as a “faithful adaptation,” with each season focusing on a different book. If that's the case, we’re looking at seven seasons of meticulously crafted storytelling, packed with world-building and character depth that the movies sometimes had to skip.

If fans of the Harry Potter movies were worried that the series might be a low-budget rehash, fear not. Between the year-long shoots, wild practical effects, and HBO’s deep pockets, it’s clear this isn't just another reboot, but possibly a magical juggernaut in the making.

It’s been known for a little while now that the Wizarding World is set to receive a bit of a makeover due to the upcoming Harry Potter show from Max. The series is set to reimagine the beloved franchise for a new generation and, with that, a new cast is being tapped for the franchise’s famous roles. Several notable names have been in the mix as of late, including John Lithgow, who’s been linked to Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow and several others have now been confirmed for the production and, all the while, I’m wondering something about Hagrid.

Who’s Been Cast For The Harry Potter Show?

To say that Potter showrunner Francesca Gardiner has a massive task ahead of herself in regard to casting would be an understatement. Nevertheless, she’s now managed to land six actors – that we know of – to play several key staff members at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Aside from the aforementioned Conclave alum, some British talent has been tapped to play the likes of Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and more. Take a look at who HBO announced for the roles:

Janet McTeer feels like a fitting choice for McGonagall, who was famously played by the late Maggie Smith in the film series. Paapa Essiedu – who was previously a reported frontrunner for Snape – seems to be an inspired choice though, like his castmates, he has big shoes to fill. (I can’t imagine it’d be easy to follow in the footsteps of Alan Rickman.) At first glance, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse also seem to be solid choices for the quirky Professor Quirrell and grouchy caretaker Mr. Filch, respectively.

Rounding out this group is Nick Frost, who’s set to succeed the late Robbie Coletrane in the role of groundskeeper and gameskeeper Rubeus Hagrid. Frost previously denied chatter that he’d been tapped for the high-profile part, but it seems that was just a deflection. I’m a fan of Frost and, more often than not, I find myself smiling when he leads a project and serves in a supporting role. Still, I can’t help but think about one thing in regard to his Wizarding World casting.

What’s Nagging At Me When It Comes To Nick Frost’s Casting?

As great as Nick Frost is, from a physical standpoint, he’s a sharp departure from what fans have come to expect from the character of Hagrid. The half-giant groundskeeper is a tall and imposing figure, and the 6’1” Robbie Coletrane managed to embody that to great effect when playing the character. Frost, however, stands at 5’7”, which means he’s relatively short. In all fairness, the books list Hagrid’s height as 8’6”, which Coletrane was not, but it’s still intriguing that someone of Frost’s stature was tapped for this role.

It’s possible that the producers could approach this in one of two ways. One option would be to use some kind of practical or visual effects to amplify the Hot Fuzz alum’s stature for his Wizarding World role. That’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility, especially since it would appear HBO and Max are apparently spending a pretty penny on this series. On the other hand, it’s possible that Francesca Gardiner and co. could shock fans by altering Hagrid’s height in this particular continuity. That would be a bold choice, and I’d be downright surprised if the creative team committed to it.

The Harry Potter series was officially announced in 2023, and it’s been promoted as a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s best-selling book series. Warner Bros. TV boss Channing Dungey discussed the reason for the show’s existence, saying that the goal is to provide an in-depth interpretation of the mythology. As beloved as they are, the Potter films could only explore so much within their limited time frames, so a show allows for more room for development and minute details.

While I may still have mixed feelings about the show, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by the moves being made. I’m also among those waiting to see who’ll be cast as Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. For now, though, I’ll continue to ponder these current castings, especially Nick Frost’s. Nevertheless, I love the notion of hearing him say, “Yer a wizard, Harry.”

Be sure to grab a Max subscription so that you’ll be able to watch the Harry Potter show when it debuts.

Just like the Harry Potter movies introduced millennials to phenomenal actors like Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Jason Isaacs, the streaming series plans to do something similar for the next generation. While we know for sure John Lithgow has officially been cast as Dumbledore, other actors are rumored to be in negotiations for a role. As those possibilities swirl online, one actor has responded to the Internet chatter about him possibly playing Hagrid, and that actor would be none other than Nick Frost.

The role of Hogwarts gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, was first played by the late Robbie Coltrane. As the Scottish actor had heartwarming chemistry with the young cast and knew how to be so lovable on screen, those will undoubtedly be some big shoes to fill. In terms of who will take on the memorable role for the Harry Potter series (which will stream on your Max subscription), casting is unconfirmed just now.

However, there’s been a rumor floating around that the English frontrunner is Nick Frost as reports from the trades even mentioned the actor was "nearing a deal" to take on the iconic character. Yet, at an AwesomeCon panel (via Screenrant), the British comedian got real about the prospect.

I've seen some people acting like this is a full debunk of the rumor online. However, Nick Frost may not be saying “yes” that he’ll be playing the lovable Hagrid, but he’s also not saying “no” either. Considering the comedy actor was previously reportedly as being involved in early contract negotiations, it’s clearly too soon to say if he’ll be the important Harry Potter side character. Still, I would be interested to know if his comments are him being opaque on purpose to not let out a spoiler or if it is simply too soon for anything related to this casting to have gotten off the ground.

One thing's for certain, it wouldn't be a bad idea. I personally think the actor would be a great addition to the Harry Potter series. He's got the right look and a fun vibe, and I could see him pulling off the iconic character.

He’s made a name for himself showing off his comedic timing with Simon Pegg in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. Frost also made his way to American TV in a big way as part of the season two cast of AMC’s Into the Badlands. Plus, he’ll be in the ensemble of the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon as the mentor figure Gobber the Belch. With each role Frost takes on, we see him continue to bring heart, warmth, and even a little grit that would make him a perfect Hagrid.

With John Lithgow being the only confirmed cast member of the Harry Potter streaming series, Nick Frost isn’t the only actor in the mix of the rumor mill. In terms of frontrunners for Snape and Professor McGonagall, those key roles (also allegedly) look close to being set. Paapa Essiedu, known for the black-comedy series I May Destroy You, has reportedly been in the process of closing the deal on the potions professor. There’s also Kaos’ Janet McTeer, who’s reportedly in talks to play the Hogwarts headmistress. These casting speculations may not be set in stone just yet, but I’m excited to see how the magic unfolds when final decisions have been made.

Even though nothing has been confirmed about Nick Frost taking on the iconic role of Hagrid, you can tell he finds it a great compliment to even be thought of for the part. The excitement around the speculated cast of the new Harry Potter series is so hyped, it shows how much pressure there is to get the reboot just right.

Disney isn’t the only Hollywood studio betting on live-action remakes of animated classics. Universal Studios is also getting into the game by adapting one of the best DreamWorks Animation films, How To Train Your Dragon. Fans of the classic flick are thrilled they’re getting more stories in the universe, but the live-action element was unexpected. Thankfully, they don’t have to worry, considering the original director is at the helm again, and the new Hiccup actor is getting tons of praise from his cast. It seems like the film is in good hands — or should we say, good dragon’s reigns.

The live-action How To Train Your Dragon cast is full of veteran and rising actors, including Gerard Butler, who is reprising his role as Sotick the Vast. However, it’s the newcomer to the franchise, Nick Frost, who has been reassuring fans that the adaptation is going to be everything they deserve.

Frost plays Gobber the Belch, the longtime friend and right-hand man to Hiccup’s father, Stoick the Vast. All that’s to say, he spends a lot of time acting alongside The Black Phone’s Mason Thames, who landed the iconic protagonist role. In an interview with Collider, Frost opened up about what it was like working with Thames:

It’s always nice when an actor doesn’t take themselves too seriously and is able to really connect with their character enough to improvise on the spot.

Based on Frost’s praise, it seems like Thames is exactly that kind of actor, which bodes well for fans worried that a live-action remake would ruin Hiccup’s quirky, loveable personality. And if that doesn’t offer some peace of mind, check out Thames’ work in Netflix’s raunchy, coming-of-age comedy Incoming. It shows off his incredible comedic timing and adorable charm too.

Basically, what I'm saying is, I know Jay Baruchel left big shoes to fill. However, it sounds like Thames is more than up for the task, especially after reading Frost's comments.

While the live-action How To Train Your Dragon finished filming in May, it won’t be making an appearance on the 2024 Movie Schedule. Instead, it is set to premiere in theaters on June 13, 2025, alongside Disney Animation’s Elio.

This gives fans of the animated trilogy plenty of time to stream the originals on some of the best streaming services, including Hulu and Peacock, and prepare themselves for what a live-action Toothless is going to look like when he makes his mark on the 2025 movie schedule.

As the world of 2024 movies continues to unfold, the remake of How to Train Your Dragon is something that fans and spectators alike will be keeping a keen eye on. News surrounding the movie, set to release on June 13, 2025, has been proceeding on a steady track of development. Part of the fire surrounding those developments is the casting of the major roles present in director Dean DeBlois' live-action remake. 

You can now follow the path that How to Train Your Dragon is taking to returning to the big screen thanks to this handy cast list. So make sure to come back to this very rundow, and see who else has joined the ranks. For now, here's who we currently know has been cast in this Universal/DreamWorks live-action remake! 

Gerard Butler

In the 2010 version of How to Train Your Dragon, Gerard Butler played the role of Stoick the Vast. Chieftain of Berk, as well as father to Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Stoick balances parenting and leadership as a single father. So leave it to returning director Dean DeBlois to recruit his previous collaborator to reprise the role. 

A veteran of some of the best action movies like Olympus Has Fallen, not to mention dramas in the vein of Kandahar and Greenland, Gerard Butler will probably be able to put both skill sets to work in How to Train Your Dragon’s remake. Though if Stoick the Vast's character design from animation translates to the real world, the former Spartan of 300 won't have to stay as ripped as he did in that previous picture.

At the moment, Butler’s casting in DreamWorks’ live-action remake marks the only cast member from the animated incarnation to return for flesh and blood version of their character. Which certainly makes for an interesting question pertaining to casting other important characters in potential sequels. 

Nick Frost

Every chieftain needs a trusted advisor, and in the universe built by author Cressida Cowell’s source material, Gobber the Belch is that person. Within the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon, that post will be fulfilled by an actor more than suited to play a warrior who dispenses wisdom and wisecracks, Nick Frost. 

In this post, the former zombie hunter from Shaun of the Dead will be teaching the next generation of Berk how to take on a different foe: dragons. Well, that's in addition to also acting as the sounding board for his friend Stoick, as well as being the village blacksmith. So there's no shortage of angles for Mr. Frost to take in his performance.

Previously, Nick Frost was also Doctor Who’s Santa Claus in the episode “Last Christmas,” as well as the on-screen father of the WWE’s Sariya (Florence Pugh) in Stephen Merchant’s Fighting with My Family. In the animated world of How to Train Your Dragon, the role of Gobber was played by talk show host/comedian Craig Ferguson. 

Mason Thames

Admittedly, the roles of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Astrid Hofferson were two of the parts How to Train Your Dragon would automatically have to recast. That’s nothing against their previous voice actors, but when it comes to live-action, nailing your character’s age is way more important than in an animated context. 

So a new actor needed to step in to play the young man who forms a lasting bond with Toothless the Dragon and tries to convince his community to bond with these creatures. Tapped for the duties to play Jay Baruchel’s central hero from the animated How to Train Your Dragon is none other than The Black Phone’s Mason Thames. 

While the live-action Hiccup is set to also return to The Black Phone 2’s cast, a film that’s also set to debut in June 2025, there’s a good chance that Mason’s schedule is already set to tackle both of these Universal-backed projects. And with both movies on the books, Thames will continue to build a resume as a young hero ready for anything. 

Nico Parker

America Ferrera previously gave life to Astrid Hofferson through the How to Train Your Dragon animated universe. However, much like Mr. Baruchel, she now has a successor to her animated role. Ms. Ferrera’s recent thoughts on Dragon’s remake included her approval and excitement of actor Nico Parker’s casting as the new Astrid. 

Parker comes from an acting background that’s more than prepared her for interacting with CGI creations, in addition to dealing with a landscape of peril. She was previously seen in the 2019 live-action remake of Disney’s Dumbo, which covers the interactions she’ll be having with Toothless and other dragons. Dragons and elephants aren't that dissimilar if you ask the right Game of Thrones character. 

Which, in its own way, leads to the peril bit. Seeing as Nico Parker was also notably cast as Sarah, the ill-fated daughter of Joel (Pedro Pascal) seen in HBO’s The Last of Us, tension-filled situations are also part of her set of skills. Which now presents the question of which threat is the more pressing matter: dragons or Cordyceps-transformed humans?

Julian Dennison

The dragon nerd of the lot,  Fishlegs Ingerman probably knows more about dragons than most people have forgotten. Voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the original How to Train Your Dragon films, the live-action remake has cast Godzilla vs. Kong’s Julian Dennison in the new iteration of the character. Dragons may be a bit smaller scale than Titans of the MonsterVerse, but Dennison has once again landed a role where he has the knowledge that could save the day.

Gabriel Howell

As the posturing jerk of the group, Snotlout Jorgenson loves to talk a big game while pushing people around. In the animated world, Jonah Hill embodied this role in the fabric of Berk’s society; so it’s important to find someone else that can match that pedigree. Relative newcomer Gabriel Howell will be stepping up to take that mantle, after most recently being seen in the Netflix limited mystery series Bodies. 

Bronwyn James

Half of the Thorston twins duo is a girl by the name of Ruffnut, who more than lives up to that imposing moniker. Taking over this role in How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action remake is actor Bronwyn James, inheriting the role from its previous occupant, SNL vet Kristen Wiig. James can be seen in streaming series like Hulu’s Harlots, as well as Netflix’s Lockwood and Co.

Harry Trevaldwyn

The other half of the Thorston twins, Tuffnut is just as strong as his sister, making the two a formidable team that can handle any two-headed dragons in operation. Bringing up the other half of this notable team is The Bubble’s Harry Trevaldwyn, who is taking over after this part saw comedian T.J. Miller voicing the character in the original trilogy.

Ruth Codd

Playing Phlegma the Fierce, previously voiced by Ashley Jensen, Ruth Codd will be making her feature film debut through the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. Confirmed through reporting by THR, Codd is probably best known by audiences as Juno Usher from Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher. However, she’s also been seen in another Mike Flanagan Netflix series, The Midnight Club, as well as a part of the cast to Shudder’s Creepshow anthology series.

As production on How to Train Your Dragon continues to push towards fulfilling its June 2025 release date, there’s bound to be more additions to the cast that will astound and surprise. So while this is all the information we have for now, we’ll be keeping our eyes to the sky to see what else flies into view in the near future. 

It's an especially interesting prospect considering the rest of the young cast is waiting to be revealed to an eager fandom. There's a lot of young talent out there that could be perfect to complete the class of Dragon Riders that'll take this vision into a new age of adventure; and they're all just waiting to be discovered! 

In the meantime, Toothless and Hiccup will be return, in their new CGI/live-action forms, starting June 13, 2025. So if you want to get reacquainted with How to Train Your Dragon's animated incarnation, you can currently do so through several streaming platforms. At the time of this writing, a Peacock subscription will help you start things off, as the 2010 animated original is streaming there. 

The news surrounding Universal and Dreamworks’ How To Train Your Dragon remake is starting to blaze like the fire from a Night Fury. Though the world is still getting a handle on the 2024 movie release schedule, news such as Gerard Butler’s recent casting to reprise Stoick the Vast has been peeking out from behind the curtain. 

Now we’ve gotten another tantalizing piece of information, as an A+ choice has been made to play his best friend/advisor Gobber the Belch! Actor Nick Frost, best known for his Cornetto Trilogy of team-ups with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, has been announced as taking over that role, per THR. 

Originally voiced by Craig Ferguson in the How to Train Your Dragon animated trilogy, the news of this Shaun of the Dead vet’s casting is most definitely welcomed. What’s more, it also starts to answer a question previously asked when news of Butler’s casting broke.

As the lead roles of Hiccup, Astrid and the rest of the future Dragon Riders needing fresh actors to take them on, the adult cast of the Dragon series is something that doesn’t need to abide by those rules. With Mason Thames and Nico Parker’s respective casting in those central roles already nailed down, the question of how the notable mature characters from the series became a bit more focused.

Thanks to Gerard Butler reprising Stoick the Vast, there seemed a possibility that other key roles could take the same route. However, Nick Frost’s casting as Gobber the Belch is absolutely proof that director Dean DeBlois, another returning How to Train Your Dragon vet, isn’t afraid to mix things up on this end either. Gobber’s a pretty big character to make that sort of decision with too, as he’s basically the mentor who initially tries to shape the youths of Berk into potential Dragon Hunters.

Having the responsibilities of making sure his friend and chieftain is making sound decisions, while also teaching Berk’s new class of warriors the skills needed to survive battle, Gobber the Belch is a pretty important gig in the How to Train Your Dragon framework. Nick Frost’s abilities to play both comedic and dramatic sides of the coin will come in handy when bringing to life this multifaceted fixture of author Cressida Cowell’s long-running literary series. 

Though I have to say I’ll certainly miss Craig Ferguson’s iteration, I’m excited to see where Mr. Frost takes the role. As we once again question the balance between recruiting new faces, and potentially reviving old incarnations, the excitement for this big ticket reimagining has not waned a bit. 

How to Train Your Dragon’s big flesh and blood revamp is currently slated to hit theaters on June 13, 2025. And for those of you looking to take a trip down memory lane, the 2010 movie that started it all can currently be streamed through several sources, such as with a Peacock subscription!

This weekend, HBO will introduce audiences to a new fantasy world with The Nevers, the latest blockbuster series created by Joss Whedon (who left the show last year). Centered around "a group of Victorian women who discover unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a desire to change the world," as the logline notes, The Nevers will be another genre-bending TV event, particularly with the adult-friendly paid cable company constantly on the search for their next Game of Thrones. Certainly, if the show does well, The Nevers could boost the profile of its notable cast, which includes Laura Donnelly, Olivia Williams, James Norton, Tom Riley, and Nick Frost. If you're wondering why this distinguished ensemble looks familiar, we're here to help. Here's where you've seen The Nevers cast in the past.

Laura Donnelly (Amalia True)

As Amalia True, a woman who's described as "the most irresponsible, spontaneous, and psychologically broken hero of 19th-century London," Laura Donnelly is the protagonist in HBO's newest fantasy series, The Nevers. Previously, the actress earned acclaim for her Tony-nominated work in The Ferryman. Additionally, Donnelly's other TV credits include Merlin, Casualty, Hex, Sugar Rush, The Fall, Britannia, Outlander, Occupation, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, and Missing. Additionally, in film, she appeared in The Program, Tolkien, Dread, Right Hand Drive, Heart of Lightness, and Hello Carter.

Olivia Williams (Lavinia Bidlow)

In the role of Lavinia Bidlow, a wealthy bachelorette and a champion of the "Touched," Olivia Williams plays a stern, old-fashioned woman in HBO's The Nevers. Previously, Williams collaborated with Joss Whedon on Fox's Dollhouse. Her other television credits include Manhattan, Counterpart, The Halcyon, Case Sensitive, Jason and the Argonauts, Friends, Spaced, and Homemade.

In film, additionally, Olivia Williams played Rosemary Cross in Rushmore, Anna Crowe in The Sixth Sense, Ruth Lang in The Ghost Writer, and Miss Stubbs in An Education. She can also be seen in Hanna, Map to the Stars, Anna Karenina, and Seventh Son. Additionally, Olivia Williams is also recognized for her work in The Postman, Peter Pan (2003), Lucky Break, and The Heart of Me. She can also be heard in Valiant and The White King. Most recently, Williams played a part in this year's Best Picture nominee, The Father.

James Norton (Hugo Swan)

Playing the part of Hugo Swan, a pansexual aristocratic young man who owns a private club, James Norton plays a charming character in HBO's The Nevers. Most notably, Norton is known for his award-nominated performance as Tommy Lee Royce in BBC One's Happy Valley. He also had main roles in Grantchester, McMafia, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Restless, War & Peace, and Doctor Who. In film, additionally, Norton played the titular role in Mr. Jones. Also, James Norton can be seen in Flatliners (2017), Mr. Turner, An Education, Rush, Little Women (2019), Northmen: A Viking Saga, Belle, and Cheerful Weather for a Wedding. Next, Norton stars in Nowhere Special and Netflix's Things Heard and Seen. Additionally, the actor will be seen in Chasing Agent Freegard.

Tom Riley (Augustus “Augie” Bidlow)

As Augustus Bidlow, i.e. "Augie," a keen ornithologist and Lavinia's brother, Tom Riley plays a sweet, disarming nerdy personality in The Nevers. Previously, the actor played Leonardo Da Vinci in Starz's Da Vinci's Demons, which he also produced. His other TV credits include Monroe, Dark Heart (which he also produced), Ill Behaviour, Lost in Austen, and The Collection. He also guest-starred in Doctor Who and Angie Tribeca.

Additionally, away from TV, Tom Riley starred in I Want Candy, Return to House on Haunted Hill, Starfish, and Happy Ever Afters. He also appeared in St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, Kill Your Friends, A Few Days in Summer, and Ghost Light. Outside of acting, Riley produced and directed 2019's short film, The Toll House. Next, the actor will be seen in The Woman in the House.

Ann Skelly (Penance Adair)

In the role of Penance Adair, Amalia's best friend and one of the first Nevers, Ann Skelly plays a caring character who's guided by what's right and moral in HBO's The Nevers. Most notably, Skelly is acclaimed for her starring role in Kissing Candice. The actress also played a title character in Rose Plays Julie. Additionally, Skelly had main roles in Virgin Media One's soap opera, Red Rock, and BBC Two's Death and Nightingales. Her other television credits include Vikings, Rebellion, Playground, and 2017's Little Women.

Ben Chaplin (Detective Frank Mundi)

Playing the part of Detective Frank Mundi, a gruff lawman with a strong moral sense, Ben Chaplin plays an imposing, untrusting character with a reputation for sudden violence in The Nevers. Previously, Chaplin appeared in Mad Dogs, both the American and British versions. His other TV credits include Game On, The Return of the Borrowers, World Without End, Moonfleet, Press, The Letter for the King, Apple Tree Yard, and The Return of the Borrowers.

On the big screen, meanwhile, Ben Chaplin played Private Bell in The Thin Red Line, Robinson in The New World, George Coulouris in Me and Orson Welles, and Edgar Allan Poe in Twixt. His other notable film credits include Cinderella (2015), The Truth About Cats & Dogs, The Remains of the Day, and Snowden. Additionally, Chaplin is recognizable for his work in Stage Beauty, Dorian Gray, Murder by Numbers, and The Legend of Tarzan. Most recently, Chaplin played Stuart Piggott in Netflix's The Dig earlier this year.

Pip Torrens (Lord Massen)

As Lord Massen, a former military man with heavy skepticism regarding people with extraordinary powers, Pip Torrens plays an authoritative character in HBO's The Nevers. Most famously, Torrens plays Tommy Lascelles in Netflix's The Crown. The television actor also played lead roles in Canal+'s Versailles and BBC's Poldark. Additionally, Torrens played an antagonist, Herr Starr, in AMC's Preacher. His other television credits include Deep State, Patrick Melrose, Law & Order: UK, Silk, Broken News, Wire in the Blood, The Bill, Bodyguards, Doctor Who, Black Mirror, and The Larry Henry Show.

Additionally, in film, Pip Torrens played Colonel Kaplan in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ian Gilmour in The Iron Lady, Sir Kenneth Clark in My Week with Marilyn, and Major Tompkins in War Horse. His other notable film credits include The Danish Girl, Darkest Hour, Patriot Games, and Pride & Prejudice (2005). Furthermore, Torrens provided supporting roles in Anna Karenina, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Remains of the Day, and St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, As a voice actor, meanwhile, he's heard in Valiant.

Zackary Momoh (Doctor Horatio Cousens)

In the role of Doctor Horatio Cousens, a West Indian physician who discovers his powers with Amalia's help, Zackary Momoh plays one of the main characters in The Nevers. Most notably, Momoh is known for his role as Seth Butler in Netflix's Seven Seconds. He also played Manni Attah in Channel 4's No Offence and Harrison Green in PBS's Death in Paradise. Additionally, in film, Momoh played John Tubman in Harriet and David Stone in Doctor Sleep. His other notable film credits include American Assassin, Twelfth Night, and The Kill Team.

Furthermore, Zackary Momoh wrote, produced, and starred in the 2014 short film, Clap! Also, the actor-filmmaker produced the 2012 short film, Glimpse. Additionally, Momoh produced and directed the 2014 short film, Normal? Next, he'll appear in Americanah.

Amy Manson (Maladie)

Playing the part of Maladie, an unstable woman on an infamous killing spree who's warped by powers that she doesn't understand, Amy Manson is a theatrically unhinged character in The Nevers. Most notably, Manson played Alice Guppy in BBC's Torchwood and Merida in ABC's Once Upon a Time. Also, the television actress appears in Casualty, Desperate Romantics, Being Human, Outcasts, The White Princess, Young James Herriot, Legacies, Misfits, and Atlantis. In film, additionally, Manson was most notably seen in T2 Trainspotting, Not Another Happy Ending, Harrigan, and Beats. She also appeared in Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud, Edie, The Chameleon, and Doom: Annihilation. Next, the actress will star in She Will.

Nick Frost (Declan Orrun)

As Declan Orrun, i.e. The Beggar King, a charismatic personality who runs low-level criminal activity in the city, Nick Frost plays a character who likes to back winners — no matter how virtue-less — in The Nevers. Most notably, Frost is known for his breakthrough role in Shaun of the Dead, along with his performances in Hot Fuzz and The World's End, the following installments in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. Also alongside Simon Pegg, Frost starred in Channel 4's Spaced and Paul, the latter of which they wrote. Additionally, Frost and Pegg wrote, produced, created, and starred in Amazon Prime's Truth Seekers. His other TV credits include Into the Badlands, Sick Note, Hyperdrive, Mr. Sloane (which he also produced), Man Stroke Woman, and Doctor Who. Also, Frost joined the main cast of Paramount+'s Why Woman Kill Season 2.

Furthermore, in film, Nick Frost appears in Pirate Radio, Attack the Block, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Huntsman: Winter's War, Fighting with My Family, Slaughterhouse Rulez, Penelope, Kinky Boots, Unfinished Business, and Grindhouse.

Rochelle Neil (Annie Carbey)

In the role of Annie Carbey, a career criminal with the ability to control fire, Rochelle Neil is a kind, thoughtful character who only trusts herself in The Nevers. Most notably, Neil played Cassandra Lloyd in Sky One's Das Boot. Her other TV credits include Guilt, Episodes, Doctors, Death in Paradise, and Law & Order: UK. In film, additionally, the actress appears in Terminator: Dark Fate, The Hand of the Creator, and The Guvnors.

Eleanor Tomlinson (Mary Brighton)

Playing the part of Mary Brighton, a gentle but resilient singer, Eleanor Tomlinson is a spirited character in The Nevers. Previously, Tomlinson appeared in Poldark, The White Queen, and The War of the Worlds (2019). Additionally, in film, Tomlinson was seen in Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, Colette, The Illusionist (2006), Jack the Giant Slayer, Alleycats, and Love Wedding Repeat. She also lent her voice to Loving Vincent. Next, Tomlinson will be seen in The Offenders and she will be heard in Squadron 42.

Denis O’Hare (Dr. Edmund Hague)

As Dr. Edmund Hague, a gifted surgeon who uses his skills in cold ways, Denis O'Hare is a brutal clinical character in The Nevers. Most notably, O'Hare is known for his Emmy-nominated performances as Larry Harvey in American Horror Story: Murder House and Stanley in American Horror Story: Freak Show. He also appeared in American Horror Story: Coven, American Horror Story: Hotel, and American Horror Story: Roanoke. Additionally, O'Hare is known for playing Russell Edgington in HBO's True Blood, Judge Charles Abernathy in The Good Wife and The Good Fight, and Ira Farber in HBO's Big Little Lies. His other notable television credits include Brothers & Sisters, Law & Order: SVU, This is Us, and American Gods.

Furthermore, in film, Denis O'Hare appeared in Milk, Dallas Buyers Club, A Mighty Heart, and Michael Clayton. He also played Albert S. Osborn in J. Edgar, CIA Station Chief Harold Holt in Charlie Wilson's War, and Hiram Keebler in HBO's The Normal Heart. Additionally, the actor is a Tony-winner for his lead performance in Broadway's Take Me Out. Also, O'Hare was Tony-nominated for Assassins.

The Nevers premieres on HBO on April 11th.

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have a new show on the way, and like their past collaborations, it dabbles in the genres of horror and the paranormal. Amazon's Truth Seekers follows a conspiracy YouTube team as they look to uncover a strange paranormal event. The cast and crew recently spoke about the series during Comic-Con@Home, as well as how the show was influenced by The X-Files and other works.

Most of that talk came from co-creator Nat Saunders, who spoke a bit about the direction for Truth Seekers and what he, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and James Serafinowicz looked to when coming up with the ideas for this paranormal horror-comedy.

As Saunders said, Truth Seekers is looking to makes audiences laugh when it's time to laugh, and freak out when it gets scary. That is to say, the horror stuff was taken seriously, which is why the show looked to The X-Files and miscellaneous old ghost stories to draw from the things that frightened them in the past.

It's a good tell of how Truth Seekers will operate, but what content can viewers expect specifically? Nat Saunders continued talking about some of the things they wanted to incorporate in the series, some of which may be familiar as fodder for episodes of The X-Files.

Truth Seekers certainly sounds like a show for horror enthusiasts, a good number of whom are likely already familiar with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg due to Shaun of the Dead. It seems like there's also stuff for The X-Files fan who still hasn't moved on from the series ending, and is eager to dive back into a paranormal world once more.

Truth Seekers is said to be coming soon to Prime Video. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on what's coming to streaming, and more on television and movies.

For nearly 60 years, Doctor Who has remained a staple of British television. The series, centered around an extraterrestrial Time Lord known as The Doctor who flies around in his time-traveling police box, the TARDIS, with several different human companions and in several different incarnations, is beloved by many and a series with the convenience of being rebooted constantly for new generations and times. Therefore, over the course of its very extensive run, several famous actors (and soon-to-be famous actors) have worked on the sci-fi show. With a cast that included hundreds of actors over the course of several decades, it's understandable if you forgot that these familiar faces once appeared on the program. Therefore, let's get in our own mini TARDISes (or however you pluralize the word TARDIS) and go back through the show's long history and recall who once appeared on Doctor Who.

Andrew Garfield

Before he played Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network, Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, or Peter Parker/Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, Andrew Garfield was a rising British talent who branched out in a big way when he appeared in two Season 3 episodes of Doctor Who. In the popular sci-fi series, Garfield played the part of Frank, an intelligent-but-poor young man living in New York City in 1930, during the Great Depression, who helped the Doctor fight against the dreaded Daleks in their attempt to destroy the world in "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution Of the Daleks."

Felicity Jones

Before she became an Oscar nominee through her performance in 2014's The Theory of Everything, and before she was seen in a galaxy far, far away in 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Felicity Jones could be seen in Doctor Who's Season 4, Episode 7, "The Unicorn and the Wasp." In this installment, Jones played Robina Redmond, a.k.a. Ada Mullins, a.k.a. "The Unicorn," a cockney master jewelry thief who is later questioned by the Doctor and Agatha Christie. This 2008 episode of the series might've served as some viewers' introduction to the actress before she became a big star.

Simon Pegg

An actor/screenwriter best known for his work in the Cornetto trilogy — Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End — as well as his roles in the Star Trek and Mission: Impossible cinematic franchises, Simon Pegg is an exceptional talent who has established himself in a number of nerd-friendly properties. Suffice to say, it shouldn't be a shock to know that in 2005, just a year after Shaun of the Dead became a cult favorite around the world, he made an appearance in Doctor Who. 

Specifically, he was seen in Episode 7 of Season 1 as the sinister The Editor in "The Long Game," a role that was notably different than what audiences saw from the Shaun of the Dead and Spaced actor prior. Hell, it's more cold-blooded than the characters we are used to seeing from the affable actor today. It was another showcase of Pegg's undervalued versatility, proving once more how vast his talents are.

Olivia Colman

Before she became an Oscar-winning actress through her fantastic performance in The Favourite, and well before she took over the leading role on Netflix's The Crown, Olivia Colman was a hard-working character actress who certainly accredited a number of movies and television shows to her name throughout the years. One such show was Doctor Who, where Colman played a mother and a form of Patient Zero in the first episode of Season 5, "The Eleventh Hour." 

It'd certainly be understandable if you forget that Colman was in the show, though. She played such a small part, her character didn't even have a name. Furthermore, Olivia Colman's name was even misspelled in the credits, calling her "Olivia Coleman." Admittedly, showrunner Steven Moffat claims they "wasted" the award-winning actress by giving her such a small role through this guest star appearance. It's safe to say that things worked out for the actress, though. In addition to this minor part in the proceedings, Colman read the audiobook version of The Forgotten Army.

James Corden

Nowadays, James Corden has made a splash stateside through The Late Late Show with James Corden and Carpool Karaoke, but the actor/television personality first grew prominence in the U.K., and it shouldn't be a shock to know that he starred in an episode of Doctor Who. Specifically, Corden can be seen in Episodes 11, "The Lodger," and 12, "Closing Time," of Season 6, where he played the role of Craig Owens, a man who rented a room to the Doctor and later helped him defeat the Cybermen. In return, the Doctor helped Craig confess his feelings to his friend, Sophie. 

During his time on the show, Craig and Doctor Who shared a close and personal friendship. While not quite as known in the U.S. back in 2010, James Corden was quite a big name in Britain on both the telly and on the stage when these episodes aired. So, in that sense, Corden was considered a big guest star for the series.

Carey Mulligan

Before she became an Oscar-nominated actress for An Education, and appeared in movies like Never Let Me Go, Shame, The Great Gatsby, and Inside Llewyn Davis, Carey Mulligan could be seen in the 2007 Doctor Who episode, "Blink." In the Season 3, Episode 10 installment of the popular science-fiction series, Mulligan played Sally Sparrow, a photographer in London who encountered the Weeping Angels and indirectly helped Doctor Who in a mission. It came a curious time in Mulligan's career. It was shortly after she grew prominence for 2005's Pride and Prejudice but a couple years before the actress would become a household name through her Oscar-nominated lead performance in the aforementioned Best Picture-nominated 2009 drama, An Education.

Daniel Kaluuya

Before he became an Oscar-nominated actor made famous for his leading role in Jordan Peele's excellent Get Out, as well as stellar performances in Widows, Black Panther, and, most recently, Queen & Slim, Daniel Kaluuya had a prominent role in the Doctor Who episode, "Fifteen Million Merits," as Bingham "Bing" Madsen. In the Season 1, Episode 2 installment, Kaluuya served as the protagonist of the episode, which means that for many Doctor Who fans, this installment likely served as their introduction to the rising talent — a nice glimpse at his great acting talents years before he made it big.

Kylie Minogue

The Australian actress/musician known for constantly reinventing herself, Kylie Minogue fans have seen the artist take her career in a number of places. One such destination was the set of Doctor Who, where Minogue played Astrid Peth in the Season 4 premiere, "Voyage of the Damned." In her time in the show, Minogue played a native of the planet Sto who worked as a waitress for the ill-fated Titanic. She was nearly a companion for the Doctor. The actress/musician keeps busy with a variety of different projects, music-related and otherwise. This Doctor Who role only became a limited engagement.

Tom Ellis

Before he played the devil incarnate in Lucifer, Tom Ellis appeared in Doctor Who as Thomas Milligan, a doctor who worked for the NHS in 2008, i.e. the Year That Never Was, in "Last of the Time Lords," the 13th episode of Season 3. While he was referenced or alluded to again in a few other later episodes, this episode was his one and only role in Doctor Who (for now, at least). 

He played this part before he became a household name through his leading role in Lucifer, and there have been some fans eager to see Ellis play the part of Doctor Who in a future incarnation. Both Joe Henderson, the co-showrunner of Lucifer, and Ellis himself have responded to this request.

Nick Frost

Like his Cornetto trilogy co-star and frequent collaborator Simon Pegg, Nick Frost also made an appearance in Doctor Who. Specifically, Frost played Santa Claus in the 12th Season 8 episode, "Death in Heaven," and in the 2014 Christmas special, "Last Christmas." The former was used as a lead-in to the latter, as the 10th annual holiday episode saw Kris Kringle and Doctor Who (Peter Capaldi) teaming up to save the North Pole from dream crabs.

Who are some other famous actors that people forget played a part in Doctor Who's long, long, long run on television? Let us know in the comments!

As movie-fans have eased into quarantine life during the COVID-19 pandemic, many have taken to watching films that can be described as "on theme." One such title is Edgar Wright's zom-rom-com Shaun Of The Dead, which has been particularly spotlighted because of one scene where the titular Shaun (played by Simon Pegg) lays out a plan that allows him and his friends and family to relax while waiting for the whole undead apocalypse to "blow over."

Now, to entertain us all during this time of crisis, Simon Pegg and his Shaun of the Dead co-star Nick Frost have created an updated version of the fan-favorite sequence specifically tied to the on-going threat from the novel Coronavirus:

While everyone around the world is staying at home, fretting about livelihoods and personal safety, entertainers have been doing their best to try and raise public spirits – be it Arnold Schwarzenegger's various video updates or Mel Brooks and his son informing us how we can all work together to protect legends like Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke. Now we have this latest entry to a strange chapter of pop culture from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and it's absolutely delightful.

The duo that played Shaun and Ed in Edgar Wright's brilliant 2004 film are clearly practicing social distancing, recording their respective sides of the phone conversation from their own homes, but have provided a wonderful and super funny new version of a great scene that is also an informative PSA. For comparison, you can watch the original scene from Shaun of the Dead below:

Not only is it nice to watch this updated take, but it's also great just to see Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on screen together again. Their history together is full of hilarious brilliance, from the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (of which Shaun of the Dead is a part), to the amazing sitcom Spaced, and seeing more of them together is definitely welcome. The good news is that this is actually the first YouTube video posted by their co-founded production company, Stolen Picture, so perhaps this will be just the first of more re-teams in the near future.

After this, now I'm hoping that we'll start seeing more actors reunite (albeit not in-person) to recreate scenes from their careers that can be adjusted to become PSAs about the COVID-19 pandemic. If they can be even half as fun as this Shaun of the Dead video, they will provide much needed smiles during a time of tension and worry.

This is a beat we definitely find ourselves now following here on CinemaBlend as all theatrical releases have been delayed and major cinemas shut down, so stay tuned here for all of the latest updates from the world of entertainment.

One of the greatest comedic duos in modern entertainment, Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have appeared together in well over a dozen films and TV shows over the past 20 years, but for all that shared screen time, they've never created a series together...until now. [Guitar solo.] Through their co-founded production company, Pegg and Frost have developed the paranormal comedy Truth Seekers, which is currently seeking a TV home.

With Truth Seekers, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are gloriously sticking to the genre-mashing fare that they excel at, and the series will follow three paranormal investigators going on weekly quests involving different mysterious incidents. And the way Pegg put it to Variety, it sounds like it will begin as a spooky case-of-the-week concept that would expand and, while not becoming fully serialized, would broaden its narrative borders. According to Pegg:

It was in 2017 that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost started up the indie production company Stolen Picture, and there's no end in sight to the creative projects in store there, with Truth Seekers being the first TV project. Crispian Mills' horror comedy Slaughterhouse Rulez will be the first feature release, featuring both Pegg and Frost as actors. It wasn't directly stated whether or not they would be involved in front of the camera for Truth Seekers, but one can only hope, right? While we're hoping, let's get fellow Spaced star Jessica Hynes as the third investigator!

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's careers crossed paths back in 1998 for the mostly brilliant and under-referenced sketch series Big Train, which then led to the all-around brilliant twentysomethings-in-flux comedy Spaced. Since then, they've co-starred in live-action movies like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End, and Paul (which they co-wrote), and they've also appeared in animated projects such as The Adventures of TIntin, The Boxtrolls and Phineas and Ferb, where they actually reprised the roles of Shaun and Ed, sorta. We need them back on TV together though.

Simon Pegg hasn't been a TV regular in some time, but he's got major movies coming out the wazoo. His upcoming slate includes Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, M:I 6 - Mission Impossible and the crime thriller Terminal, co-starring Margot Robbie and Mike Myers. Nick Frost, meanwhile, stars in the British TV comedy Sick Note (alongside Rupert Grint and Don Johnson) and on AMC's Into the Badlands, and you can also find him in the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot.

Truth Seekers is in the process of being shopped around to potential buyers, so expect to hear more news about this promising comedy soon. To see what TV shows are on the way that sadly don't star either Simon Pegg or Nick Frost, head to our midseason premiere schedule.

Despite their seemingly conflicting nature, horror films and comedies have always managed to go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Some of the best entries in both genres have perfected the art of blending scares with laughs, but few horror-comedies have ever managed to match the sheer entertainment value of Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead. A major breakout moment for stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the 2004 zombie flick has become nothing short of iconic in the annals of horror history, and now it seems that the creative duo is gearing up for a brand new terror romp taking steady aim at prep school life.

If you're a fan of horror-comedy hybrids, then Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's upcoming collaboration should feel right up your alley. Titled Slaughterhouse Rulez (which seems like a play on The Cider House Rules), the project will center on a formal and proper prep school that finds itself quite literally plunged into hell when a local fracking site opens up a "mysterious sinkhole." Specific details related to the nature of the film's monsters remain firmly under wraps, but it sounds like the body count will eventually begin to climb, and Slaughterhouse Rulez will live up to its title's bloody connotation.

In addition to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, musician Crispian Mills is currently attached to the project as the film's director. Slaughterhouse Rulez is only Mills' second credited feature (after A Fantastic Fear of Everything, which he worked on with Pegg) so it will undoubtedly prove interesting to see how he handles the material that Pegg and Frost give him.

One major component of the project's narrative not revealed in the Radio Times report about the film is whether or not Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will star in Slaughterhouse Rulez. The two have proven time and time again that they have unique chemistry with one another whenever they get on-camera together, but unlike Shaun of the Dead, it's still entirely possible that they will stick to behind the scenes work on the upcoming horror-comedy. Casting for the film is currently underway, and we will have to wait and see whether or not they will opt to join the final ensemble.

Of course, even when they're not working together, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have managed to deliver the goods in the years since Shaun of the Dead first hit theaters. Pegg has since gone on to achieve massive success in the Mission: Impossible franchise, as well as the Star Trek franchise, and he will soon appear in the thriller Terminal with Margot Robbie. Frost, on the other hand, has found a nice niche in relatively smaller projects, and he is currently starring as Bajie on AMC's Into the Badlands. Any collaboration between these two is enough to get a self-respecting geek excited, so we cannot wait to see how Slaughterhouse Rulez comes together.

CinemaBlend will keep you posted with relevant updates related to Slaughterhouse Rulez as new information about the project becomes available to us. For now, make sure to take a look at our comprehensive 2017 movie premiere guide for details about the rest of this year's major theatrical releases.

Nick Frost is known for his work with his real-life friend Simon Pegg and the two were introduced to a global audience together thanks to films like Shaun of the Dead. As ridiculous as that film was, it seems that some of it was based on Frost's actual plans for the end of the world. Many of us have probably considered what we would do if things got really bad, but apparently, Frost and Pegg had really discussed what they would do in the event of living dead uprising and those conversations informed much of the film. According to Nick Frost...

Zombies have been a phenomenon in pop culture, that, well, just won't seem to die. Between movies and TV the concept of the end of the world coming about due to the dead coming to life seems to be everywhere. Even before Shaun of the Dead was a movie this was the case. It's honestly not all that surprising that a couple of friends would find themselves talking about what they would do if the dead walked the Earth. Of course, when one of those friends is a writer, you have to be prepared that your comments become movies.

Based on Nick Frost's comments to Inverse, apparently, the two came up with a plan that to handle zombies that directly informed the movie. So, we're led to believe that their ideas were to barricade a local pub and just hang out there. It's not the worst idea we could think of, the place would have food which is, of course, important. Depending on the location it could be a very defensible position, it would depend on the specific pub in question. It's probably a better plan in England than it would be here. So many of the pubs are sold old that the buildings would be quite sturdy, a benefit we simply wouldn't have.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Nick Frost's current apocalyptic "out" where he would apparently live a rural life sleeping in a tent and fishing, at least until he could find a boat to get him to the Baltic Sea. It sounds like a wonderful plan, though one would think the zombies would find you there eventually and so a strong defense would still be needed.

What's your zombie survival plan? Let us know in the comments.

People probably know actor Nick Frost best from his time appearing alongside his buddy Simon Pegg in the Cornetto Trilogy, a series of films that consist of favorites like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End. However, the actor will be venturing off on his own this fall when he heads over to U.S. television screens. Frost will be going over to AMC to join its martial arts action drama, Into the Badlands.

You might not immediately associate Nick Frost with martial arts, but it doesn't sound like the Hot Fuzz actor will be getting to throw too many punches and flip kicks. Deadline has reported that his character is named Bajie, a man with "questionable morals and who's always looking for the next big score." He will become an ally to Daniel Wu's Sunny, helping him along his journey while no doubt looking out for himself in the process.

Nick Frost will join the series in Season 2, which will be premiering in 2017 as opposed to this fall. The renewal order came a bit late in the game, and as such the show's premiere was pushed back. Season 2 will return with a 10 episode run - four more episodes than Season 1. Into the Badlands may not be as successful a series as The Walking Dead and its spin-off Fear the Walking Dead, but the show has continually aired with solid numbers for a cable TV show.

Into the Badlands is set in a world where feudal barons rule the land and problems are solved by way of the fist. Lightly based on Journey to the West, the series follows Sunny (Daniel Wu) and Aramis Knight's M.K. (which hopefully stands for Mortal Kombat) as they journey across the land in search of enlightenment. Also, they have a bunch of crazy kung fu battles along the way.

What the series lacks in story it more than makes up for in spectacle. Into the Badlands features some stunning fight choreography that will surely make its way over to Season 2 intact. The series also stars Orla Brady, Sarah Bolger, Emily Beecham, and Marton Csokas.

This isn't Nick Frost's first genre specific rodeo. All of the Cornetto Trilogy is deeply steeped in well known genres like zombie horror, buddy cop, and science fiction. Frost's foray into the martial arts genre will simply be another check off the list for the Shaun of the Dead actor.

Into the Badlands Season 2 will premiere sometime in 2017, but there is no specific date just yet. For all updates and news on the show make sure to stick with Cinema Blend and we'll keep you updated with more information as it becomes available.

It's been a while since Vince Vaughn has really wowed an audience with a movie that truly shows off his off kilter sensibilities. While the trailer for Unfinished Business shows a more subdued, less in-your-face version of Vaughn's classic persona, it also shows that he's still got some prime laughs in him. You can watch for yourself below.

20th Century Fox shared this red band trailer through their YouTube channel, and for a film that's being dropped into a March release date next year, it actually looks pretty funny. The main thrust of the story is that Vince Vaughn has been running his own business for a year or so, and has just landed the big deal that'll pull it all together. Unfortunately for him and his colleagues, there's some surprise competition in the form of Vaughn's ex- boss, played by Sienna Miller. With the deal hanging by the thread, and his company depending on a positive outcome, it's up to Vaughn and his compatriots to pull the big win.

Perhaps the reason that Unfinished Business looks so good is the fact that Vince Vaughn is surrounded by some great comedic talent to play off of. His team consists of Dave Franco and Tom Wilkinson, while James Marsden and Nick Frost are two of the members of the delegation from the company who's business they're trying to win. If you were one of the people who saw the random photos of Nick Frost in a leather outfit that popped up on the internet, you can finally rest easily knowing that they came from the set of this particular film.

Unfinished Business looks like it could be a sleeper hit in the early months of 2015, with enough comedic muscle and edgy humor to make it stand out from the more benign efforts that Vaughn has been associated with in recent times. With Delivery Man failing to even make a dent in last year's November film market, it's beginning to look like Vince Vaughn is going to have to either make another solid comedy, or try his hand at dramatic films again. Anyone who's still scarred from watching him in Psycho is probably hoping that the former possibility will be the one that comes to fruition.

Still, Unfinished Business looks like it could have a good enough blend of heart and filth that Vince Vaughn could see himself coming back into prominence. With that and the next season of True Detective under his belt, Vaughn just might find a career renaissance awaiting him at the end of 2015. At the very least, we'll get to see Nick Frost and James Marsden riff off of each other, and if that's not worth the price of admission, then I don't know what is.

Unfinished Business closes the deal on March 6, 2015.

We first shared news of this unconventional cameo in August, when Simon Pegg was giddy to announce it on Twitter:

At the time, mention of the Phineas and Ferb ep being a Halloween episode made us suspect that it would be the versions of Shaun and Ed from the end of Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead, with one better adjusted and the other a chained-up zombie bud. Instead, we get early Shaun, complete with work uniform, and pre-undead Ed.

Here's a side-to-side comparison:

Those unfamiliar with this wild and allusion-packed cartoon show might be wondering what is going on in this clip from IGN. Well, those "pharmacists" wandering around with their zombie-like contagion are the show's main villain Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. The A-plot of the weekly eps follows the titular brothers Phineas and Ferb on adventures that involve them building incredible contraptions (like the world's greatest tree house or a sentient computer.) But the B-plot always follows their pet platypus Perry, an animal secret agent who is assigned to thwart the would-be evils of mad scientist (not pharmacist, though that's a running joke) Doofenshmirtz. Apparently this time his plan--whether intentional or another insane mistake--involves everyone in the tri-state area (another of the show's running gags) turning into him.

Phineas and Ferb is a kid's show, but one that's so full of pop culture nods and clever comedy that it's addictive as an adult. It's likely the clip up top is the extent of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's involvement in the Halloween episode. (Unless we're given a shot of them turning back when Doofenshmirtz is inevitably bested by a turquoise platypus in a fedora). But as a long-time fan of Phineas and Ferb, I recommend you tuning in anyway. The show's easy to get into, and surprisingly sharp for a kiddie show.

The hour-long Phineas and Ferb's Halloween special "Night of the Living Pharmacists" airs at 8PM Saturday, October 4th as part of Disney Channel's "Monstober" event. In the meantime, you can play the tie-in game "The Walking Doof" here.

By now I'm not sure how you can be unaware that Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have a new movie in theaters. The World's End, the third film the trio have made together, is the conclusion of what they call The Cornetto Trilogy, three genre-bending, incredibly funny movies that, when you put them together, about all the ways it can totally suck to grow up. The World's End may be the darkest and, naturally, the most mature of the three-- Pegg is once again the central character but playing the kind of screw-up who's hard to like, an alcoholic who yearns so deeply for his high school days that he drags his old pals-- including Frost as buttoned-up lawyer Andy-- on a pub crawl in their hometown. They eventually realize their town has been taken over by robots, but the night has gone downhill way before then, as Gary tries and fails over and over again to prove that you really can go home again.

Pegg and Frost, who at this point in their lives have probably done a billion of these interviews together, are a fantastic team to watch on film and a tough one to interview-- you get the sense that they've choreographed their responses to the T, and as much as you want to just watch the two of them joke with each other, you and your dumb questions keep getting in the way. But I did relish the chance to call out Pegg for riling up the Internet with a single tweet, to ask the two of them if their off-screen relationship is as important as we make it out to be, and to ponder what would happen if the three of them got $100 million to make a movie. The answer? Fast Seven. In a house carved out of a single diamond.

For more on The World's End you can read our review and find lots more about it all over the site. It's open in theaters everywhere this weekend. Get out there and see it!

Simon, to start with, I just have to call you out. I feel like you knew that you were going to rile up the internet with those pictures of Ant-Man. I know that everyone overreacted ridiculously, but you knew that was going to happen, right?

Pegg: Well I was at Marvel, I’d gone to do the Marvel podcast and I had a bit of time, so I was looking around. They’ve got an amazing mural in reception and I realized I was standing next to Ant-Man, so in the picture it’s like, “Hey look, Ant-Man. It’s Edgar’s new film,” and then the most absurd storm of speculation. It almost annoyed me that people were that fucking concerned about something so facile as who’s going to play a fucking ant. It was like, grow up. It’s a picture.

It’s August. It’s a slow news month. People are going to make something out of nothing.

Pegg: The ironic thing is, and I don’t mean to be flippant in any way, but hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people died in the streets of ancient Egypt recently and no one’s tweeting about that.

So, you guys have talked a lot about the way that this movie is dealing with nostalgia and I think it’s interesting that you guys are kicking off 90s nostalgia. But when you talk about the movies that people grew up with in the late 70s and 80s, a lot of it was nostalgia for the 60s and the 50s, like you get American Graffiti and you get Happy Days and in the 80s you’re already getting remakes of 50’s sci-fi movies. Did you guys realize that you were kind of growing up with a lot of culture that was other people’s nostalgia for an earlier time and did you guys feel like that kind of trickled down to all of us as we grew up with various pop culture like that?

Pegg: I don’t know. The nature of nostalgia is simply that you are romanticizing a time that’s gone because the time you’re in is somehow dissatisfactory, whatever you are. You know, we’re going to be nostalgic about this phone conversation in 20 minutes. It’s just what nostalgia is. It’s never really about the time you’re being nostalgic for. It’s just, I suppose the idea of simplicity and a time that’s physically away from where you are now. All we wanted to do was go back 20 years. It wasn’t because we’re being nostalgic about the 90s. That was 20 years ago, and then we decided, then you start fishing around in the culture of the time and you pull up a lot of great stuff, like the music. Music is a great nostalgic tool, because it’s at once timeless and dated. It has a specific time of inception, but it lasts forever. It’s kind of ok to be nostalgic about music, but the point of Gary’s nostalgia is that he’s clinically depressed and all he’s doing is he’s clinging to the last time he was truly happy. So, it’s about the danger of nostalgia, as much as anything.

Frost: I mean, if you’re talking about me and nostalgia, I’m kind of out of the three of us, the least nostalgic and I would probably put that down to my past perhaps being the shittiest out of the three.

Pegg: Apart from about house music. You’re very nostalgic about house music.

Frost: Yeah, but I can still dance a lot. I think I’ve always been a man who’s been driven and controlled by my impulses, so to speak. You know, I think you get nostalgic when you don’t act upon something that you have the opportunity to act upon, i.e. hitting a bully or kissing a girl or telling somebody you love them and I think, for the, you know, I did those things, you know, so I can’t really look back and think, “God, I should have done that,” because I kind of probably did it and probably got into a lot of trouble doing it. To be honest, I’m happiest right now. I mean, not in this room, but just generally. So, you know, my need for nostalgia is minimized, I think.

I’m sorry you’re not as happy in the room, but I guess I don’t blame you, for being locked in the Waldorf Astoria all day.

Frost: It’s packed full of Louis XV style furniture and there’s muffins, so, you know, it could be worse.

Given that you guys have made as many movies as you have together by now, the relationship that you have really comes out in the scenes you have together. I wonder if you think that people kind of overestimate the extent to which you have to know someone that well to have that chemistry , or if you’ve noticed how that has evolved for the two of you as worked together as much as you have over the years.

Frost: You know, Simon and I have a shorthand, which means we know how to work together. We just go straight into it and there’s never a moment when we’re wondering how the hierarchy works or “Can I say this?” In terms of the chemistry, you know, I worked with someone last year and we had chemistry immediately, and it showed. Sometimes you just meet people, and that happens. Other times, you can really like someone, but on set you have no chemistry at all. You know, does that detract from the performance, or what people see on the screen? I’m not sure it does, you know. If you’re a good enough actor, I think you can hide bad chemistry.

Pegg: Yeah, I agree with Nick, but I think that the relationship that Nick and I have off screen only enhances that relationship we have on screen. You know, I’d never worked with Eddie Marsan before this film, but I loved working with him on The World’s End.

He’s amazing.

Pegg: …as I did with Rosamund Pike, who I went on to work with again in a film subsequently and actually, we used the relationship, our friendship that we;d sort of developed on World’s End to sort of fundamentalize our relationship on the film we did afterwards, which was nice. But, for Nick and I, and Edgar, we understand each other very clearly and what it offers us is a means of communication and a way of working which is very efficient and effective. So, I believe pre-existing knowledge of each other can be an enormous help, but it’s not always necessary.

Well, and there’s also a way that knowing people that well, you can kind of get stuck in a rut together, and you can see people who have worked together over and over again and basically keep making the same movie over and over again, and you guys haven’t done that. I wonder if you’ve ever kind of looked and worried that you were on the brink of repeating yourself, kind of like the guys in this movie, like sticking by your friends to the point that you shouldn’t be anymore and how you get over that and do make original work that fulfills you guys even though you’re very different people than you were when Spaced started.

Pegg: I’d be worried if we did go and make the same thing again, because it would mean we kind of didn’t care, let’s go and do that again, because that worked. I don’t think we’re wired that way. In The World’s End we wanted to create something specifically that was almost kind of a combination of what was in the first two films, so that it drew them together so we could actually say, “Yes, it’s a trilogy.” It was important to us that we make a film that drew to a close and together some of the themes and ideas that we’d explored in the first two films. So, the enemy in The World’s End, which is almost a combination of the NWA [of Hot Fuzz] and the zombies [of Shaun of the Dead], which is kind of like a homogenizing force discipline and a specific way of doing things. Those two things come together and they create what we have in The World’s End, which is the network. We couldn’t possibly make the same film. We wanted to make something that was at once different, but at the same time, had the right level of familiarity that it felt like part of the same piece.

Frost: I think we’d rather not make something than repeat ourselves. I think people start to repeat themselves when they have a big hit. If you have a big hit, it does $300 million at the box office, then you do another one and it kind of does the same, you kind of get complacent. You’ve got a shit load of money and you’ve probably said, “Oh, well that works, let’s do that again,” and I think that’s where you can kind of run into a problem, if you lose your ambition through great success.

To look at the brighter angle of this, I watched the conversation you guys had with Peter Jackson in New Zealand, and kind of thinking about how he has his sort of island of filmmaking, where he has the entire New Zealand filmmaking industry and he can make these gigantic movies. Say The World’s End makes 300 million dollars. Would you take that empire? Would you do, you know, go spend 10 years making movies in the same world and have all the money in the world to do it, or do you guys worry that that would wear you out. Is that part of why you have made these three very different movies?

Pegg: Yeah, I guess so. We want to keep it interesting as well, and as much as, as a huge challenge as it is, it’s always good to work with a finite amount of resources, because it forces you to be creative. It makes me extremely sad sometimes to look at these huge follies sometimes, that Hollywood puts out, where they throw bad money after bad money because they’re trying to save something that’s going to fail ultimately. And they end up spending 500 million on something which nobody goes to see, because in the outset they’ve just give as much money as they want. Whereas, we couldn’t go over 30 million dollars with this, that was our budget and that was all we had and if we’d gone a penny over, we would have incurred certain tax things, which would have screwed us. So, we were forced to make the film with the money we were given to make it with.

If you’re just given any old freedom to just spend, spend, spend, you’re just going to. You know, directors are crazy people. They’ll spend it, you know. I think, Edgar included. Edgar, you know, would have been hugely glad of another 10 million dollars for this film, just because it would have given us more time, made it less stressful, but the fact is, we were having to solve problems inventively and creatively and it only added to the process of making the film. It shouldn’t be easy. Art, if I can call it that, shouldn’t be easy.

Have you guys ever talked about what your 100 million dollar movie would look like?

Frost: It’d be us and a bunch of strippers.

Really expensive strippers!

Frost: Yeah, well they cost a lot these days. No, I don’t know. If we were given that much money to make a film, I still think we’d end up struggling, because we’d just increase our ambitions even higher. So, we’d end up trying to pull it in for that.

You’d set it on the moon, and it’d be over.

Pegg: It’s never changed for us. Spaced was like 150k an episode or something, and that was difficult. Shaun was 6 million dollars and that was difficult. Hot Fuzz, 17, again, difficult. And World’s End, similarly, we always take what we’ve got and try and go bigger that it, so we’re always fighting our resources.

Frost: Also, I think, you know, I think we’ve proved that you could make, you know, you can see where all our budget went. It’s on the screen. So, I think if we were given 100 million dollars to shoot a movie, we’d probably spend 60 on it, then split the other 40 between us.

Pegg: Well, because of the way residuals work in the UK, we’ve never really seen any money from any of our films. So, I think, if we were given 100 million dollars to make a film, we’d just run away, take the money, and say, “Fuck you. You owe us this.”

It’d be like the end of Fast Five, where they all retreat to their own private islands. Frost: Yeah, exactly, we’d make Fast Seven. In a big house, chiseled out of a single diamond.

Do you know what's a really bad idea? Pissing off two guys who have made a name for themselves facing off against some of humanity’s greatest threats, including zombies, homicidal village councils and killer robots. As it happens, however, it isn’t necessary to go too far out of your way to make these guys happy, as the above Alamo Drafthouse public service announcement shows us. Director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost just want you to quit being a punk and turn off your mobile devices when you’re sitting in the theater. And hey, if you happen to be in the theater to watch the trio’s upcoming film The World’s End, the advice/threat goes double.

Unfortunately, this is one of the more boring PSAs the Drafthouse has put out yet, ranking far below the one created by Before Midnight’s Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. And these are three of my favorite guys working in cinema today, so it seems like they could have done up a parody or something more clever than sitting around a couch with all their facial hair.

Luckily, to make up for it The World’s End just released a new featurette for the film titled “Not What It Used To Be,” which cobbles together footage from the trailers with some talking head interview footage from the three main guys, as well as co-star Martin Freeman. They reiterate that this is a film about men of a mature age coming back to their hometown and recognizing that nothing can be the same as one remembers it in their youth. In this case, the difference happens to lie in the fact that the gang's home town has been overrun by weird human-possessing alien robot things. The guys also talk about how much fun this cast really is, and why they felt the need to bring everyone from the first two films back for this one. Check out the entire featurette below.

If you’re like me, though, you’re sick of seeing all these extras and you’re ready to watch the film itself. Luckily, there’s less than a month left to go before the movie hits theaters, as the film will be heading to a cinema near you on August 23. Haven't seen enough footage from the film already? Watch the trailer below and pre-order your tickets.

(Click to enlarge)

Are you prepared for The World's End? As the final stop on Newton Haven's famous "Golden Mile" pub crawl, The World's End is reserved only for the brave at heart (and those extremely good at holding their beer). The pub's sign, which we're premiering here exclusively at the conclusion of the virtual Golden Mile pub crawl, probably looks a little like the inside of your stomach at this point on the pub crawl-- hazy, burned out, probably alive with flames.

If this sign looks familiar, it's because it's also the title of the new film from Edgar Wright, and was the basis of the first teaser poster we saw for the film, back when pretty much all we knew was that it reunited Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and followed a bunch of dudes reliving their youth on an epic pub crawl. Since then trailers have revealed robots, carnage and the return of the fence gag from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, along with a million other things that have us and the rest of the Internet feverishly anticipating The World's End's arrival in U.S. theaters on August 23.

Can't wait that long? Neither can we, and luckily, San Diego Comic-Con is here with a cure. The convention kicks off tomorrow, and on Friday Wright, Pegg and Frost will take over the gargantuan Hall H to show off clips and answer fan questions. On top of that, you can follow the Twitter feed @TheGoldenMileCC to collect 12 trading cards featuring every single pub sign on the Newton Haven Golden Mile, The World's End included. There will also be a screening of the movie itself in San Diego, but if you want to get in, you'll have to jump in that scavenger hunt, so you'd better be prepared to work for it.

For more on The World's End you can visit the Facebook page, which also features all the other pub signs on the Golden Mile. Below check out the video advertising famous Newton Haven-- Britain's fourth-most famous garden city!-- and then the trailer for the movie itself. Please use alcohol responsibly, and we'll see you at The World's End-- there's a pint with your name on it.

It’s important to note that while the July 4 weekend feels like the crowning jewel of the summer blockbuster season, there are still plenty of interesting and exciting movies on the slate to look forward to. Like most seasons, the summer session is frontloaded. But Hollywood has held such potential gems as Pacific Rim, The Wolverine, Elysium and The World’s End for summer’s second half, and it’s Edgar Wright’s sci-fi-tinged comedy that has our attention at the moment.

A new featurette posted to Yahoo UK takes us behind the scenes of World’s End with interviews with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as they head into their third collaboration with the cult-fave director. For those unaware, this trio previously delivered Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, with The World’s End promising a conclusion to a trilogy of similarly-themed won’t-grow-up comedies. Hopefully this isn’t their final film together, though, because audiences who are in tune with their senses of humor likely could stomach several more films from these unique minds.

The cast throws the word “genius” around often on the clip. Would you go that far? Those who adore Wright’s Scott Pilgrim might back the claim. And while I think Shaun and Fuzz are drop dead funny, would I go so far as to apply the “genius” tag to Wright as a filmmaker?

Wright’s in a unique position at the moment. There are those who love his comedies, who are anticipating World’s End because it’s the next absurd story from the guys behind Shaun. And then there are the Marvel Studios junkies who associate Wright with the Ant-Man movie that has been rumored and promised. The latter project could elevate Wright to Whedon status, turning him into a household name. But that’s a double-edged sword for those of us who prefer that he stay in England, making offbeat but entertaining comedies like the ones he has created with Pegg and Frost … the movies that turned him into a storyteller worth following in the first place.

For the moment, we’ll cherish World’s End for the fun ride we think that it’s going to be. To prepare, embark on this virtual tour of the pub crawl that’s challenging Pegg, Frost and the World’s End boys. Then get in line for the film, which opens in U.S. theaters on Aug. 23.

Prepare ye, prepare ye, for the pub crawl to end all pub crawls… because, actually, after this one, pub crawls and everything else on this earth may be over entirely, at least for everyone except the robots. But of course, before you can reach the pub called The World's End, you've got to do the full Newton Haven Golden Mile Pub Crawl. And what is Newton Haven you may be asking? Well, that's what this promotional video is here to tell you.

If you can get past the grainy 70s cinematography, you may notice that things go a little haywire at the 40-second mark… and that's what we're really looking forward to seeing when The World's End finally comes to theaters on August 23. If you can't wait that long, and you're planning to make your way to San Diego Comic Con in a few weeks, you're in a for a treat. Not only will director Edgar Wright and stars Nick Frost and Simon Pegg be on hand for a panel in Hall H on Friday, July 19, but there will also be an early screening of the film-- much like the way Wright delighted fans with an early look at Scott Pilgrim vs. The World at Comic-Con three years ago.

To make sure you're up to date on everything happening with The World's End at Comic-Con, follow @TheGoldenMileCC for information on that and other events they'll have going on throughout the Con. And keep an eye on the Internet over the two weeks-- we'll be among several sites debuting exclusive pub signs for all the pubs featured on the famous Golden Mile pub crawl. (The first one has already popped up at Coming Soon!) Those pub signs will also be trading cards that you can collect all oer the place at Comic-Con-- but you have to be paying attention! Collect them all… and we'll see you in San Diego.

For more on The World's End, you can also visit the film's official Facebook page. And here are the full details about the Comic Con events:

Finally, here's the trailer for The World's End to catch you on on all the pub crawl activities... and the robotic nastiness that may await at The World's End.

The World’s End is different from This is the End … and both are different from At World’s End, which is a Pirates of the Caribbean sequel. We’re focusing on the first one for the time being because Focus Features has unleashed two new posters for Edgar Wright’s upcoming comedy. Check them out above and below us, and we’ll talk about the comedy underneath the second one-sheet.

No pirates, as you can see, but some familiar faces if you have enjoyed Wright’s previously films, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. For The World’s End, he reunites with frequent leads Simon Pegg and Nick Frost for an over-the-hill concept comedy about mates reuniting to complete a pub crawl they once attempted in their heyday. Sadly for them, they’ve also stumbled on an extraterrestrial twist that was revealed in the latest trailer for the movie.

“Prepare to get annihilated” isn’t the wittiest slogan, despite its obvious double meaning, but that hardly matters. There are plenty of winning one-liners that land right on the money in the trailer for The World’s End, which looks quite a bit like The Watch, only with funnier comedians and (we pray) a better script.

This will supposedly conclude a trilogy Wright started with Pegg and Frost, and will be his last picture before he plunges into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Ant-Man. Perhaps he’ll find a way to bring Pegg and Frost with him to Marvel? Maybe in the lead role? We can only hope. For now, The World’s End opens in the U.S. on Aug. 23, after opening in the UK in July. Again, a movie opens overseas before we get to see it. Get used to it, folks.

If the world were coming to an end, how would you spend your last day? If your first thought was "pub crawl," then you're of the same mind as Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. The writing team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz are completing their Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy with the Armageddon-set comedy The World's End, which reunites Pegg with his frequent and funny co-star Nick Frost.

Pegg stars as Gary King, a forty-year-old adolescent who has lost touch with his boyhood pals but hopes to reconnect via the pub crawl to end all pub crawls. He convinces his old mates to visit their shared hometown for a day of epic boozing. But as they trek from one bar to the next they realize their friendship is the only thing at risk. The world itself is coming to an end all around them! Get a glimpse at some of this mayhem below, courtesy of Empire:

With their beers blocking their faces, this first image makes it a bit tricky to identify the film's stars. But thanks to a previously tweeted set still, we know that left to right this is Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum, Pegg, Frost, and Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows). Notably, Freeman appeared in both the previous Blood and Ice Cream movies, while Considine had a role in Hot Fuzz. For his part, Marsan had a role opposite Pegg in Mission: Impossible III.

This second image shows Pegg frightened and alone. What kind of threat has risen to destroy the world as we know it? We'll find out when The World's End hit theaters October 25th.

Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright and Nick Frost are finally getting back together again for the third feature film in what they're calling the "Blood and Ice Cream" trilogy, which kicked off with Shaun of the Dead, led to Hot Fuzz and now brings us to The World's End. Following their usual strategy of meshing boring everyday life with crazy Hollywood genres, the movie follows a group of men reuniting 20 year after their youthful glory days to recreate an epic pub crawl…. only to run into the earth's apocalypse while they're at it.

The movie's not due until next year, but now we've got our first look at the poster, via Fandango, and a lot of hints from Pegg on his twitter feed. Take a look below.

If you've ever seen a classic English pub, or even an imitation of one, you'll recognize that wooden sign as a clear marker of booze inside-- except this time, there's also a taste of fire and brimstone going with it. The teaser poster that debuted at Comic Con seemed to list all the destination on their 12-venue pub crawl, but now we're getting down to the business of the final one, and the one where the group of friends-- as well as humanity as a whole-- will have to reckon with their fates.

Pegg, once again, plays the lead character, a 40-year-old who refuses to grow up, and he's joined by Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, and Eddie Marsan. Though we had been told to expect The World's End next spring, distributor Focus Features has now confirmed an October 25 release date for next year, so we'll have to be a little patient before getting to catch this much-anticipated reunion.

Edgar Wright isn't appearing at a panel at Comic Con this year-- that is, unless his Ant-Man test footage makes an appearance-- but he's already managed to make some of the best headlines of the Con anyway. Universal has finally given the green lit to his long-awaited third film collaboration with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, called The World's End, according to Deadline. And they've also unveiled a teaser poster, that doesn't contain any looks at the film-- it hasn't started shooting yet, so that wouldn't make any sense-- but contains plenty of the trio's signature humor. Take a look at it below.

As you might guess, that poster is a list of pubs that are frequented by our group of heroes, five childhood friends who attempted an epic pub crawl 20 years ago and reunite to give it another shot. As Deadline's summary says, "As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries." It looks as if Wright, Pegg and Frost will once again be tackling regular relationship and life problems through the structure of a genre movie-- for Shaun of the Dead it was saving a relationship while battling a zombie apocalypse, and for The World's End it looks like they'll be learning how to group up while also facing the potential demise of the planet.

The "2013" promise on the poster is vague enough to be both exciting and totally frustrating, since we have no idea what that might actually mean. But production is set to begin in October, so counting on a release sometime next summer might not be totally crazy. Universal will only be handling the international distribution, so count on a Focus Features release sometime next year that will bring the dose of Pegg/Frost/Wright comedy we've been sorely missing for years now.

Throughout the history of film there has been countless indelible cinematic collaborations. On a rare occasion, certain artists are lucky enough to find creative kindred spirits - Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune, Ingmar Bergman and Max von Sydow, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro or Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. What? Okay, so maybe the last pair haven't been as prolific as the previous collaborations, but there is no question that when the two put their creative juices together they craft absolutely brilliant genre bending television and feature films.

And the good news, it looks like the two are finally settling in to get some work done on the much anticipated final chapter in the "Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy" (also known as the "The Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy") called The World's End. Still at the peak of their careers, the two artists are finally coming back together, as you can see from Edgar Wright's twitter account. Uh, it's hard to get into the details of the film beyond the fact that it will be co-written by the pair, directed by Wright and star Pegg (and probably Nick Frost). The rest, well it's all laid out for you below. Hard at work indeed!

For the few unfamiliar with the pair's history, they both started by working their way through British Television (already a leg up on American counterparts... Sorry American TV but you know the Brits do it better) before collaborating on the seriously sensational Spaced. If you're a fan of Wright and Pegg's film work and have yet to consume the two-season series, you are doing something seriously wrong. Everything you love about the ensuing feature films was born out of that creative training ground, including the genre bending, Wright's preternatural instincts behind the camera and, of course, the great writing by Wright, Pegg and Jessica Hynes. It's also where we first met Nick Frost!

After the success of the Channel 4 series, Wright and Pegg went on to make the film that launched their careers on this side of the pond, namely Shaun of the Dead. A brilliant horror-comedy that works tremendously well on both levels was just the first film in a planned trilogy - whatever you want to call it - and the followup, Hot Fuzz is perhaps even better. A parody of action-thrillers with some definite British horror undertones, the film is simply hilarious and obviously left fans chomping at the bit for the inevitable third film. Only, it never came. Pegg went off to be a bit of a supporting star (Star Trek and MI4) and write with his buddy Frost (Paul) while Edgar went on to make another stunning film with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It's good to know that the pair is getting back together and hopefully we'll see The World's End sooner rather than later.

With Paul we got two great tastes that taste great together. On the one hand, we have Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the two-headed powerhouse from Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Britcom Spaced. If there's been a defining force behind modern British comedy, at least in the eyes of American geek audiences, it's these two guys (and frequent collaborator Edgar Wright, who sat Paul out so he could direct Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, comedy in recent years has been dominated by Judd Apatow and his many, many satellite personalities, people like Paul Rudd and Jason Segel and Seth Rogen who have gone from solid supporting comedians to headlining actors. Paul unites these two comedy elements by casting Pegg and Frost as a pair of two geek friends road tripping across America with a runaway alien named Paul, voiced by Rogen. It's like a perfect geek sandwich, all wrapped up in dueling British accents. It's also directed by the mega-talented Greg Mottola (he's helmed Superbad, several eps of Arrested Development, and the vastly underrated Adventureland.)

We'll be posting our Paul Blu-ray review soon, but in the meantime you can check out Katey's thoughts right here. For my part, I had a blast with Paul, which mixes the grand old American tradition of the road trip movie with more pop culture references than most of you can count, all culminating at one of the most iconic film locations ever. They even manage to sneak in some heady rumination on controversial subjects such as sexuality and the existence of God. Not bad for a movie that could easily have been just a series of alien dick jokes.

With Paul set to hit shelves on August 9th, Universal Home Entertainment has sent along two clips from the disc's bonus features. The first clip discusses the actual road trip Pegg and Frost took in an RV across the western United States, searching for inspiration. The second clip focuses on the film's geek-authentic wardrobe.

Road Trip

Comic Book Geeks Wardrobe

Moviegoers may be focusing their attention on JJ Abrams' ode to all things youthful, alien, and Spielbergian in theaters right now, but Super 8's big ugly wasn't the only strange visitor to grace movie screens in recent months. Back in March, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost played a pair of road-tripping alien-aficionado buddies who had a close encounter of the Paul kind. The movie reviewed decently, and fans of Pegg, Frost, or Seth Rogen (who voices the titular alien) will find a lot to like, beginning with supporting cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Sigourney Weaver, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, and a scene-stealing Jeffrey Tambor as indifferent science fiction writer Adam Shadowchild. If you missed it in theaters, Paul will be looking to probe your nether regions as a Blu-ray combo pack, DVD, and digital download this August 9th.

We've got a video below of a very posh interview with Pegg and Frost discussing the set's bonus features, and fans definitely won't be disappointed. You can see the full breakdown below the video, which includes tons of Blu-ray exclusive extras, but also packs enough on the regular DVD that the high-def challenged won't feel too left out. Paul is listing for $39.98 on Blu-ray and $29.98 on DVD.

Exclusive to Blu-ray

• Between the Lightning Strikes: The Making of Paul
• RV Doorway: The Cast of Paul On-Location -- The cast is just as funny off-screen as they are in front of the camera.
• Runway Santa Fe: An Interview with Nancy Steiner -- Follow Nancy Steiner, the costume designer, as she chooses hilarious T-shirts and wardrobe for the cast.
• Smithereens -- Blowing up a house on location causes excitement among the cast.
• 5th Date Level Direction: The Cast on Greg Mottola -- The cast talks about the fun of working with Mottola, who also directed Superbad.
• Mexico Zero: The Locations of Paul -- Mexico Zero is the nickname the cast gives to New Mexico, where the majority of filming was done for Paul.
• The Many Pauls -- To create Paul, the filmmakers used all the tricks of the trade, from capturing Seth Rogen’s facial expressions and movements, to using a child dressed up as an alien while on-set.
• Paul: The Musical -- The cast joins together for an impromptu musical version of the film.
• The Traveler Beagle -- A look at all the different RVs used on the set of Paul, from fully functioning vehicles to a mock-up on a Hollywood soundstage.
• BD-LIVE
• pocket BLU

Blu-ray And DVD Bonus Features

• Bloopers
• The Evolution of Paul -- An inside look at how Paul became a living, breathing alien.
• Simon’s Silly Faces -- Simon Pegg makes an assortment of wildly funny faces for the camera.
• Who the Hell is Adam Shadowchild? -- Find out about the legendary sci-fi writer from the characters in Paul.
• Feature Commentary with Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Hader and Nira Park
• Photo Galleries, Storyboards and Posters

Paul has received mostly mixed reviews which is kind of a shame, because seeing Simon Pegg and Nick Frost together on screen playing a couple of geek buddies should be a lot more fun. Maybe they should have done this instead: Made a shot for shot remake of Star Wars.

That’s just what they tried to do back in 2009. While shooting Paul, in between takes Pegg and Frost worked on a Star Wars side project. Unfortunately, due to creative differences only one scene, in which they play C3PO and R2D2, was ever completed. What you’re about to watch is that scene, which is definitely funnier than anything you’ve seen in the trailers for Paul and proof positive that whether or not Paul takes off, Pegg and Frost definitely need to do another movie together. Watch:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

The alien road trip comedy Paul doesn't premiere until March 18, but this weekend at SXSW the RV will be rolling into Austin, bringing the North American premiere of the movie to the town that, for this weekend at least, is full of more movie-loving geeks than you could possibly ask for. Last summer I got the chance to talk to the film's stars Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, plus director Greg Mottola, at the other geek mecca of the United States: San Diego Comic Con. The movie actually kicks off at Comic Con, as Frost and Pegg's ultimate geek characters travel all the way from England to fulfill their dream of attending Comic Con. From there they hop in an RV to drive across the American Southwest and visit all the famous alien visitation sites like Area 51-- where they happen to run into a real alien, a little gray guy voiced by Seth Rogen.

Back in July we hadn't even seen footage of what the alien, Paul, looked like, so the questions were very general and non-spoilery-- perfect, since the movie still hasn't even been released. There's also an interesting digression into the differences between British and American comedy near the end, which has nothing to do with Paul but is totally fascinating to hear from Frost and Pegg, who have dominated so much of British comedy in the last decade thanks to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Check out the interview below, and come back this weekend and next week for more interviews, a review of the film, and tons of reporting from SXSW on top of it all.

Hot Fuzz is an action movie that comments on action movies. Are you doing the same thing with the E.T. type movies or the nerd road movie?

Simon Pegg: We never ever set out to be pastiches. Shaun of the Dead is not a parody, Shaun of the Dead is a zombie film. If it's a parody of anything it's a parody of romantic comedies. Hot Fuzz was a very affectionate pastiche, in that we love these movies and we want to explore the more absurd side of them. Anything we do is never done with any kind of superiority. We love those movies and we wanted to explore the more absurd side of them. Anything we do is never done with any kind of superiority. We're fans. Paul is a love letter to Spielberg…and Agent Scully.

Were you excited to bring in actual comic book authors and publishers to recreate Comic Con at the beginning?

Pegg: The thing about trying to shoot Comic Con is that if it doesn't look like Comic Con, we're going to get killed, so we had to make it look as much like Comic Con as we could.

Greg Mottola: We wanted the film to work for true believers and general audience too, but we really wanted the true believers to feel--

Pegg: Only Marvel said no. There's references to casual drug use and atheism, so there was reluctance form the some of the biggest houses.

Nick Frost: Hulk and God can't live side by side.

Pegg: But we got a lot of support from the kind of comics we read. It was fun to recreate Comic Con in New Mexico. It was very weird to be on that set, because they really nailed it. The production design really got it right. It was weird to be just me, Nick and 20 slave Leias.

Mottola: I was worried we wouldn't get extras that were dressed up in costumes, and we just put out the word in New Mexico. I was shocked how many slave Leias live in New Mexico.

is it tough balancing what sci-fi fans want and what mainstream audiences want?

Mottola: I think we looked at the references in the movie to make sure they were doled out the right amount. Some stuff that only insiders would get but wouldn't make other people feel like they were left out on the joke. But Spielberg films, a lot of those references are just part of fantasy movie 101. There are definitely things in there that are true believer stuff.

We've heard that there's a lot of early Spielberg influence in the movie.

Mottola: Yeah, part of it because it's a road movie, and it goes through the Southwest, and I had a lot of affection for Sugarland Express and Duel, back when Spielberg was starting. I watched them a few times and tried to think about the feeling of the film. We were taking this very expensive special effect, which was the alien, and he's just a character in a story. It's just a bunch of guys in an RV driving somewhere. Basically we're taking this incredibly expensive high-technology and making it--

Frost: Rubbish.

Mottola: And really just wasting it.

Frost: We'd seen CGI characters in thing and the world they inhabit was always very glossy and very colorful. What we hadn't really seen is a dusty, desert scenario with a bleached-out alien in it. Ten minutes into the film you forget you're watching a CGI alien.

Pegg: We thought of it like Greg's movie Daytrippers but with an alien in it.

Frost: Instead of Liev Schreiber.

Mottola: Yeah, we're trying to get a method acting performance out of a CG character, which has been really hard. But it's a cool challenge. If it really works it will hopefully feel different from what other people have done with the technology.

Why did you cast Seth Rogen as the alien?

Mottola: It felt it was someone who needed a different energy from the characters they would be playing. They were very sweet, naive and slightly repressed, not fully realized people yet, and Seth is brash and can play obnoxious. But Paul is also kind of the cool older guy who shows you the ropes. It seemed like a really good, interesting energy that would contrast with what they were going to end up doing. Seth's Canadian, but Paul's very Americanized little alien. It becomes a culture clash, which is part of the charm I hope.

Can you talk about the rest of the cast you managed to get, like Sigourney Weaver and Jane Lynch?

Mottola: It's kind of an embarrassment of riches. I couldn't believe the people we were getting, but everyone had the right spirit for what it was. Obviously it's fun to work with the same people-- Bill, Kristen, joe, they bring so much to it. It's interesting to see the British comedy vs. American comedy thing.

Can you talk more about that difference between American and British comedy?

Pegg: I don't know that there is a huge difference. The difference lies in the reference points, the specificity. We find the same things funny. On a grand scale we laugh at irony, laugh at silliness, laugh at slapstick. It's just that our reference points are different. I can watch The Simpsons and laugh at a joke that I don't really understand, because I get the structure of the joke. I think much is made of this supposed difference, but I don't think it's all that big. British people use irony socially a little more. We're inclined to be a little bit drier, in terms of our interactions. We're slightly more ashamed of our own emotions. North Americans generally seem to be OK with emoting, we don't. We're a bit embarrassed by it. Ultimately what we find funny and what we laugh at is pretty much the same. There is a big difference. There's this big thing where British comedy snobs say, Americans don't do irony. Americans do irony better than anybody.

Mottola: It's a good time for televised comedy in the last 10 years or so. I think one thing I always envied about the way they do it in the UK is they do six episodes in the season, and there's real care. Having worked on Arrested Development, which had a normal order of 22 episodes of season, I'm amazed at what they were able to do in three seasons. I think that does make it harder for shows like that to exist. In British TV comedy, where obviously Spaced came from, there's a care you can give it that's harder to do.

I think Americans think British comedy is so much more sophisticated. We're sort of intimidated by it.

Pegg: I don't know why that is. I think because our seasons are shorter, these more intense bursts of comedy come from where we are. Because of our accents people assume we're born in the Elizabethan period. We have buildings that are older than 200 years. It's somehow exotic to American audiences. I think American is a very young country in a way, it has a kind of exuberance and excitement that is similar to, if England is like an old person, then america's like a teenager. It has that same excitement and brashness and awe, whereas we're really cynical and old and smell like piss. It's lovely to come here, for people to say that, it's kind of funny, to comment on our ethnicity in that way. It's hilarious, because we just feel like old guys.

Frost: We make a point of bringing our tea with us.

Paul has a new, red band trailer. Why is it a red band trailer? At some point in the trailer Simon Pegg grabs Kristen Wiig’s boob, but she’s wearing a shirt so I’m pretty sure that’s not it. There’s not a lot of red band activity going on in this trailer, except for a scene where Kristen Wiig smokes pot. Is that red band material? The red band warning in front of this trailer would seem to suggest it is.

Check out the new red band trailer for Paul, to see Kristen Wiig getting high with a CGI alien voiced by Seth Rogen.

Here’s a list of the things I like about this trailer, in order: Kristen Wiig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, the narrator, that ship that looks like it’s from Close Encouters, that weird looking guy who was on Reno 911, the cinematography, some of the music, Kristen Wiig, the Winnebago, marijuana, boob grabbing, Jason Bateman, rednecks at the Roadhouse Bar, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, camping, fireworks, and the font used on the movie’s title.

Please notice what I didn’t list.

For more on Paul visit its page in our BFD.

Following Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, it's no longer a secret that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make an excellent team. Best friends in real life, they have incredible chemistry together and play off each other perfectly. This year, the two are back in Greg Mottola's Paul, and this time they have an alien in tow.

Apple has premiered the first domestic trailer for the film, which co-stars Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner and a host of others. The story focuses on two sci-fi geeks (Pegg and Frost) who, after a trip to San Diego Comic Con, decide to roadtrip across the the country searching for the most famous alien hotspots. Their trip is interrupted, however, when they run into a real extraterrestrial on the run from federal agents.

Check out the trailer below or in HD over at Apple, and stayed tuned for my thoughts on the trailer afterward.

Perhaps I'm a victim of high expectations, but for some reason this doesn't look nearly as funny as it should - after all, this is a Pegg-Frost comedy from the director of Superbad. Even worse, I'm not exactly sure what's missing. Given that the character of Paul is meant to be a foul-mouthed little shit, it's entirely possible that the film won't translate until we see a hardcore red band trailer. This Paul trailer does have some funny moments and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, but I also don't think I'm as excited as I should be.

For more on Paul, head on over to our Blend Film Database

The Simon Pegg-Nick Frost comedy Paul isn't due out until next March, so it's not exactly surprising that we've yet to see much from the film. Sure, we've seen the humans, but what people are really clamoring for is the alien for which the film is named. Voiced by Seth Rogen, Paul's visage has yet to be seen by the public, but when the cast and crew of the film took the stage at this year's Comic Con they brought some footage with them that finally gave the crowds of Hall H a look. And someone from that audience is sharing that look with you.

Bleeding Cool has gotten their hands on the first picture of the alien, which seems to have been taken by someone photographing the screen in Hall H. The site says that they cannot confirm that the picture is real, but, as I was present at the panel, I can. As I mentioned during my live blog, the rendering is only 95% complete, but considering the quality of this picture it hardly seems to make a difference. The character looks like your classic Area 51 conspiracy alien rather than something more creative, but that's kind of what they were going for in making this movie.

Check out the image full size over at Bleeding Cool.

When I talked to Bill Hader a few weeks ago about his participation in Greg Mottola's Paul, he compared the style of the film to early Spielberg. And now that Collider has come across an image from the film, even one shot seems to confirm that.

Take a look at the image below and tell me you don't get a Close Encounters vibe from the whole thing. Of course, Simon Pegg is wearing an Empire Strikes Back T-shirt, which is a pretty deliberate nod to the sci-fi of the same period. Also pictured are Nick Frost and Kristen Wiig, plus another woman who Collider pegs as Jane Lynch, but I'm less sure.

Paul, a movie with a fairly secret plot, follows two friends (Pegg and Frost) who encounter an alien (voiced by Seth Rogen) on a road trip. Anyone in their right mind ought to be looking forward to this, and even though Paul just wrapped a few weeks ago, I hope this means we'll be seeing some official images fairly soon.