Opinion

Why Does Simon Pegg = Box Office Failure?

Posted by on March 24, 2011 at 2:10 am.

Simon-Pegg-John-Campea2.jpgOk look, before I start let me say this first. I bloody LOVE Simon Pegg. I think he has some of the best comedic timing, both as straight man and protagonist working in the industry today and I find him completely entertaining. This guy should be a major star and I would put him in any film I ever do in a heartbeat, and probably ask him for a new autograph in between each take. (That’s me with him in the picture). “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” rank very highly on my joy meter. Basically I think the guy is awesome.

With that being said, with the opening of “PAUL” this past weekend we have the continuation of a disturbing trend. In North America, people just don’t go out of their way to see Simon Pegg on screen… at all.

Oh sure, box office results can be a funny thing to try to attach terms like “success” or “failure” to, I mean after all, if any film of MINE made $13 million I’d be dancing in the streets… while Michael Bay would be throwing himself off the nearest roof.

But in a year where a dreadful movie like “JUST GO WITH IT” can take in just under $100 million and mediocre films like “THE DELEMA” ($48 million), “UNKNOWN” ($61 million) and “HALL PASS” ($40 million) all make half way ok money, why can’t a proven and talented writer/performer like Simon Pegg get anyone out to see his films here?

Let’s look at some of the projects Simon Pegg has headlined:

2011 “PAUL” – Only takes in $13 million opening weekend and debuts at #5

2008 “HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE” – Makes a total of $2.7 million

2008 “RUN FAT BOY RUN” – $6 million total

2007 “HOT FUZZ” – $23 million total

2004 “SHAUN OF THE DEAD” – $13.5 million total

Oh sure… there was “STAR TREK”, but no one is going to say he was the “lead” or “headliner” in that film… or even in the top 5 headliners. It wasn’t “his” film, so we really can count that one.

So my question is, why doesn’t Simon Pegg work as a lead for North American audiences? The guy is beyond brilliant. His performances are always wonderful. He has a lot of natural charaisma. So why doesn’t anyone want to go see his movies here?

Is it the fact that he’s British (Daniel Craig seems to be doing ok)? Is it the fact that he’s not exactly a sex symbol (neither is Seth Rogen)? Is it bad marketing (personally I thought the above mentioned films all had respectable marketing campaigns)? Is it all of the above? Is it something completely different? I’m at a loss.

Just give me your thoughts. Why do people in North America not seem to be interested in Simon Pegg? I’d like to know, because they bloody well should be.

(As a side note, I wasn’t really all that thrilled with “PAUL”, but it certainly deserved better than $13 million opening weekend).

  • Levithornton

    Besides Hot Fuzz and Shaun of The Dead, the whole premise of the movies he has been seemed boring or annoying. Especially Paul, that movie just look so bad from my point of view.

    Anyways, thats what I think personally, I’m sure the wide audience thinks differently.

  • Anonymous

    Fair enough Lecithornton… but then what about Hot Fuzz and Shaun? Why did those “fail”?

  • Levit hornton

    Good question! Simon Pegg was pretty fresh and new on Shaun, was not a well known actor… Hot Fuzz he did build traction but not enough to attract the wide audience.

  • http://www.meta-tainment.com xgdfalcon

    I don’t have an opinion why they don’t do good at the box office, but his films seem to find success on DVD. Most people I talk to have seen his movies and liked them, but on DVD not at the theater. I guess thinking about it, besides “Hot Fuzz”, I’ve not seen one of his movies in the theater. When I see the “Paul” trailer, I get the same, “can’t wait to see that on DVD” thoughts. No immediate desire to see it at the theater.

  • Chelsea

    I absolutely ADORE him! I am at a loss as well! I don’t get it either. I watch Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead all the time and laugh really hard every time!

  • Jake

    Now you can’t even say that his movies don’t make money because there is no famous actors starring with him , Seth Rogen and Jason Bateman were in PAUL, which i actually liked a lot. Me and my friends personally go see every one of Simon Peggs films, but i know there aren’t many people like us out there.

  • Anonymous

    Since when does famous people=money? Sometimes movies with the BIGGEST name completely bomb, and movies with B listers make huge money.

    But how can you say Pegg’s movies have had no famous people? HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE had Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges and Kirsten Dunst. PAUL had lots of familiar faces, RUN FAT BOY RUN had lots of familiar faces.

    I just don’t think “famous” people have anything to do with it… but hey… I could be wrong.

  • http://www.tnmshop.net Mark

    its not so much the quality of the movies or how good their humour is – I am from the UK and have obviously been aware of Pegg since Spaced – I loved all the movies especially Paul as its my area of business (sci fi) – but look at the subject matter of the films from the perspective of the general public – and I shall answer these from the perspective of my wife’s opinion when I try to get her to watch them with me:

    a comedy about zombies! – ‘sounds stupid to me’

    a story of a small country town where the police run around with big guns – ‘thats realistic – no thanks’

    a story of a man who runs the london marathon to get a girlfriend – ‘thats the lamist idea I have ever heard for a movie’

    story about 2 guys who meet an alien while driving around america – ‘are you taking the piss now…..?’

    Pegg (and Frost and Wright) – make movies about subject matters they like – which is fantastic and long may it continue – but its never going to bring in the Money – look at Scott Pilgrim ….. no Pegg – great movie – still bombed

  • Rod

    I’ve asked myself the same questions John. I haven’t seen everything Pegg has done, but loves Spaced, Shaun, Hot Fuzz…

    I think Pegg’s brand of humor is not “broad”, it’s very specific…fanboy old school nerd types who love comics and superheros and stuff like that…
    eg. People either love the Big Bang Theory or “don’t get it”…I think this is the case with Pegg, because I think he often fall within the same scope.

    It’s a damn shame, because Pegg has a very sharp pop culture wit.

  • hisdivsha

    Thanks for this post, the jj phenomena has also been buggin me.

  • Anonymous

    This is soooo true and it makes me sad, that guy is a genius. My roommates LOVE hot fuzz and Shaun of the dead but I would have to move mountains if I was going to get them to see Paul with me. It confuses me to no end

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