As an admirer of the arts and someone who appreciates a good behind-the-scenes story, I find Michael Smiley‘s journey from stand-up comedy to his current role in Bookworm absolutely captivating. His reminiscence of sharing a flat with the likes of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the 1990s, and their subsequent collaboration on Spaced, is like a walk down memory lane for anyone who grew up watching British comedy.
Michael Smiley has been garnering attention through his roles in shows like “Bad Sisters,” “The Lobster,” “The Other Boleyn Girl,” and “Luther.” However, if you ask this versatile actor, who’s currently co-starring with Elijah Wood (known for “The Lord of the Rings” and “Everything is Illuminated”) in the family adventure movie “Bookworm,” about his humble beginnings, he would reminisce about his days as a stand-up comedian. In the 1990s, he lived with fellow comedians such as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and they all gained fame together through the UK comedy series “Spaced.
Smiley reminisced, “It felt somewhat like a fraternity house, I’d say. The unique aspect was that everyone was experimenting with their skills and striving to enhance their talents. Consequently, small films were being produced, snippets of animation were being created, ideas were shared, stories were told in the wee hours, music was being blended, and parties were hosted.” He further explained:
Everything had been building towards a series called “Spaced”. You see, my character was previously a bike messenger but also a techno DJ with a deep love for house music. So, on weekends, Michael, Simon, and I would hang out like many young people do, sharing our lives with each other. As we did, various storylines emerged, which inspired me to write a trilogy of plays while we were living together.
Smiley further remarked that the three-part play series was staged in Edinburgh, Australia, and New Zealand. He pointed out that his collaboration with Pegg and Frost was an incredibly creative period, one that combined a touch of indulgence with innovation. In his youth, he explained, this exploration of potential was all part of the experiment to discover what they were truly capable of.
It’s well-known that Pegg and Frost created the acclaimed “Three Flavors Cornetto” trilogy, consisting of “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), “Hot Fuzz” (2007), and “The World’s End” (2013). Simon Pegg also left a mark portraying Scotty in the Kelvin timeline “Star Trek” films. At present, Nick Frost is appearing in the horror thriller titled “Black Cab.
From Stand-Up to a Standout Role in Bookworm
In “Bookworm,” directed by Ant Thompson, Smiley takes on the role of Arnold, one of the enigmatic villains. The movie follows a clever young girl (played by Nell Fisher) and her ailing magician companions (Wood), as they journey through New Zealand’s wilderness in search of a legendary black panther. Smiley praises the live-action film for its warmth, highlighting:
Most movies you’ll find aren’t like this one, unless they’re animated. Typically, the ‘warm and loving family atmosphere’ is a characteristic found in animated films. Live-action stories often revolve around animal or alien characters, so it’s not common to encounter live-action movies featuring real people experiencing similar situations.
Since its debut, Bookworm has garnered widespread praise. In our MovieWeb review, we state, “thanks to Toby Harvard’s tight screenplay that keeps straying minimal, the movie is a delight. The visually stunning New Zealand backdrop and captivating performances from the main actors make Bookworm an instant hit among audiences. It offers equal measures of heart, adventure, and mystery.” Don’t miss out on Bookworm in cinemas. Check out the trailer below.
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2024-11-13 04:33