Simon Pegg is set to make horror funny again. THR reports that the Shaun of the Dead star has joined the black comedy Burke and Hare, which follows William Burke and William Hare, two 19th-century grave robbers and murderers who got rich selling the corpses of their victims. Andy Serkis will play Hare, Pegg will play Burke. The movie is not a remake of 1971's Burke and Hare, which played the events for more dramatic effect.
Also joining the cast are Isla Fisher as Helen, Pegg's mistress and supposed accomplice to the murders, and Tom Wilkinson, who will play an anatomy lecturer looking for fresh corpses.
Burke and Hare was penned by St Trinian's writers Piers Ashworth and Nick Moorcroft, and will serve as John Landis' return to directing after more than 10 years. The An American Werewolf in London director's last feature was Blues Brothers 2000.
Pegg has been using his Twitter account to update fans of the movie's progress, which has already begun rehearsals.
1st day of Burke & Hare rehearsals at Ealing Studios where I once held off a legion of zombies with an old Winchester rifle. Happy days.
Pegg has been busy finishing up the comedy Paul, about two comic book geeks who meet an alien while driving across America, as well as meeting with Burke and Hare cast.
Just had the Burke & Hare read thru. Great cast. Some lovely unannounced surprises to come. Stay tuned for them. There will be squeeeeees.
Now doing PaulADR [additional digital recording]. Have been a Regency period multiple murderer and a contemporary Alien befriending super nerd in one day. Not a bad day.
Burke and Hare starts shooting at the end of the month in Edinburgh and London.
Posted 01.28.10 by Ryan