Simon Pegg Signs on for 'A Fantastic Fear of Everything'

LONDON -- Simon Pegg has signed on as the lead in A Fantastic Fear of Everything, a comedy currently shooting at Shepperton, which is the first project to be backed by Pinewood’s new initiative to support low-budget British films.

The film, a Keel Films, Universal Pictures, Indomina Releasing and Pinewood Studios Group project, started principal photography on July 6,

The film is written and directed by musician-turned-filmmaker Crispian Mills. He is joined by co-director and animator Chris Hopewell, whose award-winning work includes Radiohead’s "There There" and "The Killers’ Smile Like You Mean It."

Universal Pictures will release the film in the U.K., Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. Indomina will release the film in the U.S. and is handling worldwide sales.

In the film, reminiscent of Bruce Robinson's short story, Paranoia in the Launderette, Pegg plays a children’s author-turned crime novelist whose research into the lives of Victorian serial killers turns him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered.

The film also stars Alan Drake, Amara Karan, Clare Higgins and Sheridan Smith.

Commenting on this announcement, Pinewood chief executive Ivan Dunleavy, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing Pinewood’s involvement in A Fantastic Fear of Everything. We have waited for the right project, at the right time to launch our new investment scheme and with the involvement of Keel Films, Universal Acquisitions and Simon Pegg this is the perfect fit for the Studios.”