Rafe Spall Acknowledges Edgar Wright’s Impact on His Career with ‘Hot Fuzz’ (Exclusive)
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Rafe Spall, the 42-year-old British actor, attributes a significant part of his success to acclaimed filmmaker Edgar Wright. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE during the red carpet event at the Tribeca Festival premiere of his latest Apple TV+ series Smoke, Spall expressed his admiration for Wright and the pivotal role he played in launching his career.
Reflecting on his experience working with Wright on the iconic Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy during the early stages of his acting journey, Spall shared, “Every time I see Edgar [Wright] directing a film, I’m so bummed that I’m not in it. He’s amazing.”
His collaboration with Wright began with the 2002 zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead, followed by the 2007 buddy comedy Hot Fuzz, and the 2013 science fiction comedy The World’s End, all of which were co-written by and starred Simon Pegg. Spall reminisced about his time filming these movies, highlighting the impact they had on his career trajectory.
“Those guys are very responsible for my career,” Spall emphasised. “We made Shaun of the Dead when I was 19 years old and I’m 42 now. And then I was 21 when I made Hot Fuzz, and I have very, very fond memories.”
The enduring popularity of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy continues to resonate with audiences, with Spall noting, “I still get recognized for those things now, and I’m so grateful to be a part of real comedy film history.” In a playful nod to Wright, he quipped, “Put me in a film, Edgar, cause I was good in your other ones!”
In a previous interview with Total Film in 2013, Spall shared insights into his role in The World’s End, revealing that his appearance in the film was a testament to his ongoing collaboration and camaraderie with the filmmaking team. The trilogy also featured actors such as Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, and Bill Nighy, further solidifying its cult status.
Following his success with the Cornetto trilogy, Edgar Wright has continued to make waves in the film industry with projects like The Spark Brothers and Last Night in Soho. Known for his unique storytelling and distinctive style, Wright’s upcoming remake of The Running Man is highly anticipated among fans and critics alike.
Currently, Spall can be seen in the crime drama Smoke, created by Dennis Lehane, where he portrays the character of Steven Burk, a complex and intriguing figure within the narrative. Describing his role, Spall shared, “I get to play a badass American cop, and so, for an English guy to do that, it’s pretty fun. He’s multifaceted, flawed, many things, you never know whether he’s good or bad.”
The series follows Detective Michelle Calderon and arson investigator Dave Gudsen, played by Jurnee Smollett and Taron Egerton, as they navigate the challenges of stopping serial arsonists, with Spall’s character adding depth and intrigue to the storyline.
As Spall continues to make his mark in the entertainment industry, his collaboration with visionary filmmakers like Edgar Wright remains a defining chapter in his illustrious career. With Smoke captivating audiences with its compelling narrative and stellar performances, Spall’s portrayal of Steven Burk adds another layer of complexity to the gripping crime drama.
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