Simon Pegg Says Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol ‘Is Going to be Awesome’

In the past decade, Simon Pegg has appeared in some of the most popular cult films and television shows around. He starred in the UK series “Spaced,” which featured frequent collaborator Nick Frost, as well as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, which were co-written and directed by Edgar Wright. Lately he’s had the opportunity to broaden his horizons with huge tentpoles like Star Trek and Mission Impossible. The latter is set to hit theaters on December 16th, and will feature Pegg reprising his character Benji Dunn from Mission Impossible 3. The follow up is called Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol and we recently had the opportunity to speak to the actor about it. Check out what Pegg had to say…

When franchises go beyond the trilogy point, there’s usually a dip in quality. It happened with Indiana Jones, Terminator, and Die Hard, so it’s only natural that fans are uneasy about Mission Impossible taking that leap. But Pegg thinks that Ghost Protocol will avoid the slump because of its creative team led by director Brad Bird.

Simon Pegg: I think you’re right, when a film goes into number four you’re like, ‘Isn’t this just like flogging a dead horse now?’ But what they’ve done is they’ve brought in a director who’s never done live action before but who’s had a 100 percent hit rate for his previous movies: Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and The Iron Giant are all just five star films. Brad has just brought that sensibility to this film. And the fact that’s it’s Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, it’s not Mission Impossible 4.

Pegg also spoke about seeing the movie as more of a reboot than a sequel.

SP: It’s a rebirth for the series. In the same way with what they’ve done with Spider-Man. I feel like it’s a reinvigoration of this particular story. It was a series when it was on TV, so it’s a story that can have so many iterations. There are so many adventures to get into with this team of impossible mission fighters.

Aside from Pegg, Cruise himself is one of the few returning actors to reprise their role in the series. The new cast includes two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and “Lost” alum Josh Holloway.

SP: Yes, Jeremy and Paula, and Tom goes without saying. I can honestly say that Jeremy and Paula are fantastic in this movie and it’s been a hoot working with them. They’re both such fun and both amazing. But I think the real key to this picture is Brad Bird who they brought in to direct.

With an unconventional title, a new director, and a fresh cast, Pegg has a very good feeling about what they’re doing with Ghost Protocol.

SP: I wanted to read the script and I read it and just thought, ‘This is going to be awesome!’ On top of that, you have a guy who is such a clever director. Who’d of thought that the guy who was the showrunner on “The Simpsons” would be the guy directing a Mission Impossible movie? It sounds crazy but believe me it’s really gonna work. I’m so stoked for this film.

You heard it here first folks, he’s stoked! Are you?

Are you interested in seeing Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol? Do you think it will be a worthy follow up to Abrams’ film?