As a diehard fan of science fiction and a connoisseur of cinematic history, I can confidently say that my mind was truly blown by the 2011 gem “Paul” (now streaming on Peacock). This sci-fi comedy, with its witty humor and heartfelt moments, is a love letter to the genre’s golden age, particularly the works of the legendary Steven Spielberg.
Imagine if I could say, “What if a real-life extraterrestrial joined forces with our movie makers to create one of the most iconic science fiction films? That’s a bit far-fetched, but it led to an unforgettable cameo that left audiences in awe.
We’re discussing the 2011 movie “Paul” (available on Peacock), a sci-fi comedy where two UFO enthusiasts, portrayed by the hilarious duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, set off on a journey with an actual extraterrestrial. The easygoing space traveler (voiced by Seth Rogen) shares more similarities with the character Roger from “American Dad!” than typical science fiction aliens. He’s just an ordinary guy, except for his large head, who could easily fit in with any crowd.
Remembering Steven Spielberg’s incredible cameo in Paul
Paul has been on Earth for such a lengthy time that he’s deeply integrated into our society and, in certain instances, has even shaped it. This leads us to a fleeting yet astounding appearance by none other than Steven Spielberg himself. As per the world depicted in this film, Spielberg is said to have drawn inspiration for E.T.’s healing power from Paul’s extraterrestrial wisdom during the early 1980s.
In early 2009, Nick Frost and I collaborated with Steven on the film “Tintin”. During this time, Simon Pegg (who co-wrote the screenplay with Frost) shared the concept of our future project, “Paul”, with him. We hinted at the notion that in our movie’s lore, Paul had advised Steven while he was creating “E.T.”. He found the idea amusing and playfully proposed a cameo. Excited by this, Nick Frost and I drafted the scene on the spot and held him accountable for it. True to his nature, Steven fulfilled his promise and made the cameo appearance as he had suggested.
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According to director Greg Mottola (known for “Superbad” and “Adventureland”), it was only fitting that the project would pay homage to ’70s sci-fi films, especially those by Spielberg, as it was always meant to be. After all, Steven Spielberg has been a source of great admiration for him since he first watched “Jaws” at age 11. Without a doubt, if there were such a title, Spielberg would undeniably hold the position of our nation’s foremost filmmaker.
In my gaming world, I found myself transported back to 1980, standing inside an enigmatic warehouse brimming with crates, a nod to Raiders of the Lost Ark by Greg Mottola and the Double Negative VFX team. At a table within this setting, I sat puffing on a cigarette, offering guidance to a young Spielberg about the intricate details of a small, personal story that would, in just two years, become a global phenomenon, earning hundreds of millions and captivating audiences worldwide.
In an excited tone over the phone, Spielberg says, “I’m thinking about giving him some extraordinary ability. Are you catching my drift?” He then adds, “Perhaps… a divine-like power.
Paul proposes an idea called “rejuvenation of cells” or “healing of injured tissues using mental control over inherent energy memories.
“What’s that mean?” asks Spielberg.
“It means healing, Mr. Spielberg …”
The director shows enthusiasm as he says, “Absolutely! It’s about healing!” Perhaps a glimmer of light appears on his fingertips when he touches something, hinting at this healing power.
“Maybe,” says Paul, clearly humoring the filmmaker. “You know, sometimes I find less is more.”
“Hey,” Spielberg declares as the camera pushes in on the speaker. “Trust me …”
Key principles for life: Two years following a covert chat between an extraterrestrial advisor and a prominent filmmaker, the movie “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” debuted in cinemas, breaking box office records in 1982 and swiftly earning legendary status in cinema history.
The movie was nominated for nine Academy Awards, among them Best Picture (which it deservedly won, in my opinion). It not only inspired numerous copies but also seeped into the collective consciousness of popular culture, thereby paving the path for movies like “Paul,” which creatively pay tribute to and reinterpret beloved media artifacts that have been cherished for many years.
On that particular day, everyone convened at an ADR stage in Los Angeles, as Mottola remembers from the recording session with Spielberg. Given that Steven was expected to attend, the group was significantly larger than normal, comprising actors, producers, and executives. Seth Rogen was present because he and Steven were planning to record their lines together. As we prepared to start filming, our sound technician signaled for a moment’s pause. There was an uncomfortably long silence, and Steven queried, ‘Who will initiate the action?’
Pegg notes: “He entered alone, quietly, donning a baseball cap and bomber jacket. He performed several scenes with Seth, seamlessly integrating to make it sound like a genuine conversation. He refuted any hint of a messiah allegory in E.T., yet delivered the lines as written. Nick and I exchanged surprised glances, a habit we often have.
There’s an incredibly enjoyable aspect to messing with genre conventions on a large scale, adding a meta touch, and even getting those who originally established these tropes to join the humor. In this case, Paul goes one better by having Sigourney Weaver, known for her role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien series, portray a shady government official attempting to apprehend Seth Rogen’s alien character.
According to Pegg, following Steven’s viewing of the movie, he received an email from him expressing his delight in the film, noting numerous connections to other sci-fi movies, which caused him to develop a tic. Later on, Pegg collaborated with Spielberg again for “Ready Player One.” In conclusion, Pegg shares that he has immense love, admiration, and respect for Spielberg, feeling gratitude for his films, and fondness for a kind-hearted individual who he considers as his hero.
Right now, Paul can be found live-streaming on Peacock.
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2024-09-19 18:17