"I think American audiences are underestimated constantly by some British filmmakers who try to create this transatlantic world where we try to do something where we speak in a more friendly way. Americans are perfectly capable of getting it. The whole idea that we speak a different language and have a different sense of humor isn't really true."
It began with "Shaun of the Dead" and continued with "Hot Fuzz." Blood, loud bangs and hysterical laughs are both part of Simon Pegg's two most famous films which successfully crossed over from England into the United States. He tones his mature themes down, however, with his latest film "Run Fatboy Run." "Run Fatboy Run" marks the feature film directorial debut of "Friends" star David Schwimmer and tells of an unambitious man named Dennis (Pegg) who cowardly leaves his pregnant wife Libby (Thandie Newton) at the altar on their wedding day. Years later, he finds that she's in a serious relationship with a charming American,Whit (Hank Azaria). Whit is hoping to marry Libby and move her and her child to Chicago where Dennis may never see them again. He decides to enlist in a marathon in London to prove to Libby - and himself - that he's not the slouch that everyone thinks he is.
We talked to Simon and Thandie last year at a press day in New York City. Below is what they had to say about working on the comedy.
Q: How did you and Thandie develop a chemistry that seemed to work well on screen?
SIMON: It was uphill. (Laughs) No, I don't know. It just kind of happened in a way. We had a little meeting and I remember the first day, we really bonded because I was playing the game Tetris on my cell phone and Thandie wouldn't let me because she was demanding the attention!
THANDIE: I wanted to beat your high score!
SIMON: Which you couldn't. Thandie's got this great ability to claim she's really good at certain things which she's not. Fighting, Tetris…
THANDIE: Regarding the chemistry, I think the fact that throughout most of the film, we're at odds [with each other] is crucial so that we didn't have to really get along in real life.
Q: Thandie, was it hard to despise him despite having a fun relationship with him off camera?
THANDIE: It was hard because I would always my tendency to forgive because he's so lovable. He is. He's gorgeous and funny and fabulous. David would always try to remind me that he left me at the wedding alter while I was pregnant, and then I'd say, “Oh yeah, I have to hate him.” It was a lovely atmosphere on set but it was a challenge to not enjoy you.
SIMON: Awww. But Thandie's aggressive technique in getting to know me was to just keep playing jokes on me, which she did on a daily basis. I began to fear entering my trailer. I'd go in and there'd be some squashed up chocolate bar in my toilet. And that was just day one! I came back on day and the neck of my sweater was sewn up. She'd gone in there, spent time weeping with laughter, and sewed up my sweater. It was baffling to me. I was like, “What happen to this statuesque, ultra serious actress I read about in Vogue?”
But in all seriousness, it put me at ease as someone who had not worked with Thandie before. I got the measure of her straight away. It meant for a great relationship on set.
Q: What did you two like about the story?
SIMON: I love things that challenge me. It was the idea that this guy was fairly ordinary looking and overweight and he jilts his beautiful pregnant girlfriend on their wedding day and he's the hero! I was like, OK, I will get myself to be a part of that. I mean, how could you possibly make that guy sympathetic? How can you root for someone who's done something so awful? That just appealed to me, making him be that way to the audience.
THANDIE: I think it's clear in that scene where he says tells her that it was better to ruin one day of her life rather than her whole life. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think audiences feel sorry for your character as opposed to feeling sorry for Libby. And that's perfect.
Q: Simon, as I understand it, you had to lose weight to shoot "Hot Fuzz" so you had to wear prosthetics in order to make yourself a bit fatter. What was it like running around in that?
SIMON: It was a godsend because we were filming in December in the UK and it was pretty cold so I was insulated by my latex. It was an all-in-one thing with a tummy, boots and a muffin top. It wasn't too bad. It kept me warm.
Q: And what about the short shorts?
SIMON: I loved that. I'm sorry, but my legs looked good. I know I'm supposed to look fat but they looked muscular and defined.
Q: Was there any talk about making your character even fatter?
SIMON: No, because the film isn't a joke about fatness. It's not a joke that plays on fat people. It's more like he's fat in every way. His mind, his attitude…
THANDIE: …and how he seems himself too.
SIMON: Yeah. It's more that he doesn't care about himself generally.
THANDIE: You actually thought about changing the title too, right?
SIMON: Yeah, to “Run Handsome Muscleboy Run.” (Laughs) But yeah, we did actually think about that because we knew that would come up. But I think it's fair enough to say that the film is about something other than that. Dennis is a bit porky maybe but he's not like “Norbit.” We didn't want Thandie having to do two big fat people films.
Q: Thandie, having done "Norbit" and this film together, what is it for comedy that you like?
THANDIE: I was doing the press for “The Pursuit of Happyness” and I had a pile of scripts. “Norbit” was the one that really appealed to me because I found myself laughing. I have that reputation that I can do drama nicely but it's a bit of a hangover. I read “Norbit” and I absolutely loved that film. I had to chase it because they couldn't see it, me being too serious. So I had to put myself on tape and then audition for it again. But there is something different about comedy. There is a lightness to it. When you see it done badly, it is painful.
Q: When you watch "Run Fatboy Run," even though it's a British film, it seems American audiences can very much identify with it as well. Was there any concern about not making the film too British?
SIMON: I think American audiences are underestimated constantly by some British filmmakers who try to create this transatlantic world where we try to do something where we speak in a more friendly way. Americans are perfectly capable of getting it. The whole idea that we speak a different language and have a different sense of humor isn't really true. There are facets of comedies that we perhaps develop upon but ultimately we find the same things funny. Most of my favorite comedies are American comedies. Monty Python goes over well over here and that's surreal, obscure British comedy. I think the worse thing you can do is underestimate an audience, particularly for being from a different country. It's a rule of mine to not make any concessions to that. Audiences are smart.
"Run Fatboy Run" opens in theaters March 28, 2008.
