While Edgar Wright has dabbled in action filmmaking before, a little with “Hot Fuzz” and ‘Scott Pilgrim,’ and much more with “Baby Driver,” he has yet to really do something that would be described as blockbuster filmmaking. However, back in the day, it appears Wright was offered the keys to one of the premier action franchises going today—the beloved “Mission: Impossible” film series—but he turned it down. 

Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible’: Edgar Wright Doesn’t Regret Turning Down ‘Ghost Protocol’ & Was Worried He’d “F*ck It Up” at The Playlist.

Recently, the ‘Mission: Impossible’-focused podcast, Light the Fuse (co-hosted by The Playlist contributor Drew Taylor), recently recorded its 100th episode. And to mark the milestone, the podcast invited a number of “Mission: Impossible” folks to speak about the status of the film franchise and what the future holds. And on the podcast, folks such as writer-director Christopher McQuarrie, stars Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell, and composer Lorne Balfe stopped by to discuss all things ‘M:I.’

One of the stories discussed occurred when McQuarrie discussed how plans have changed with the “Mission: Impossible” films over the years, including when he joined the production of ‘Ghost Protocol’ (he had an uncredited rewrite of the film) and “10 weeks into filming blew up the entire movie.”

READ MORE: Paramount Announces Delays For Both ‘Mission: Impossible’ Sequels, ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ & More

The situation began when it was clear that the filmmaker had to cut the culmination of the story arc for Pegg’s Benji character.

Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible’: Christopher McQuarrie Says He “Blew up” ‘Ghost Protocol’ During Rewrites at The Playlist.

When you watch someone like actor Simon Pegg on screen, it’s hard to imagine that someone so funny and charming could be battling real demons off camera. However, in a new interview with The Guardian, not only do we find out just how Pegg has dealt with alcoholism and depression but also how it’s been a surprisingly long amount of time.

“I would feel like – I’m in a film with Tom Cruise, I’ve got the part of Scotty in ‘Star Trek.’ This should be making me feel happy,” he says.

Continue reading Simon Pegg Admits Being “Lost, Unhappy, And An Alcoholic” During His Battle With Depression at The Playlist.

Box-Office: N.W.A. Biopic ’Straight Out Of Compton’ Rocks The Bells With Massive $60 Million Opening

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Watch: 14-Minute Video Essay Explores The Auteur Influences On The 'Mission: Impossible' Franchise

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Watch: Supercut Tribute To The Films Of Brad Bird

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The 12 Best Car Stunts In Cinema History

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Best To Worst: Tom Cruise's Action Movies Ranked

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Happy Anniversary John McClane! 10 Movies Spawned By 'Die Hard'

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The Top 10 Most Pirated Movies Of 2012 Include 'Project X,' 'Mission: Impossible 4,' 'Dark Knight Rises' & More

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Discuss: With 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' Going IMAX, Is The Format Becoming The New 3D?

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Paramount Honcho Says 'Top Gun 2' Will Come Before 'Mission: Impossible 5'

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Weekend Box Office: Audiences Hate 'The Devil Inside' All The Way To The Top Of The Box Office

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Weekend Box Office: Strong Rebound Numbers For Entire Marketplace, With 'Mission: Impossible' On Top Again

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Weekend Box Office: 'Ghost Protocol' On Top Of Weak Holiday Weekend

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Drew Taylor's Favorite Films Of 2011

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In Theaters: 'We Bought A Zoo' Enters The Cage & Gets 'Extremely Loud' With 'Dragon Tattoo,' 'Tintin,' 'War Horse' & More This Xmas

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Early Box Office Success Of 'Ghost Protocol' Spurs Talk Of 'Mission: Impossible 5' & 'Top Gun 2'

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Interview: 'Ghost Protocol' Director Brad Bird Hopes Earthquake Epic '1906' Is Next, Would Like To Revive Sci-Fi Noir 'Ray Gunn'

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Interview: 'Mission: Impossible 4' Director Brad Bird

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Weekend Box Office: 'Sherlock' And 'Alvin' Badly Underperform

Continue reading Weekend Box Office: ‘Sherlock’ And ‘Alvin’ Underperform, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Scores In Limited Release at The Playlist.

In Theaters: 'Sherlock Holmes' Is On A 'Mission: Impossible' To Best 'Chipmunks' In the Box Office 'Carnage'

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Jeremy Renner Talks About His Role In 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' & The Ensemble World Of 'The Avengers'

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Brad Bird Talks 'Incredibles 2' and '1906'

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'Young Adult' Star Patton Oswalt Talks Transforming For The Film & How His French Bulldog Helped Get Him The Job

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