Questions
Who directed Hot Fuzz and when did it come out?
It is a 2007 British action comedy directed by Edgar Wright, who co-wrote it with star Simon Pegg. It premiered in the UK on February 13, 2007.
Who stars in the movie?
Simon Pegg plays Nicholas Angel, an elite Metropolitan Police sergeant, and Nick Frost plays his partner Danny Butterman. Jim Broadbent plays police inspector Frank Butterman, Danny’s father.
How long did it take to write, and how did they research it?
Wright and Pegg spent about eighteen months writing the script. They reportedly watched 138 cop-related films for dialogue and plot ideas.
Which action movies does Hot Fuzz reference?
It directly references Point Break and Bad Boys II, both of which appear on DVDs the characters watch. Wright obtained permission from the actors and paid the studios to use the clips and cover art.
Who plays the villain Simon Skinner?
Timothy Dalton, best known for playing James Bond, plays supermarket manager Simon Skinner. Variety singled him out as especially good as the oily prime suspect.
Is Hot Fuzz part of a trilogy?
Yes. It is the second film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, following Shaun of the Dead and preceding The World’s End.
Where was Hot Fuzz filmed?
It was shot mostly in Wells, Somerset, which is Edgar Wright’s hometown, over eleven weeks beginning March 19, 2006.
Why does the town’s cathedral never appear on screen?
The production digitally removed Wells Cathedral from shots so the smaller Church of St Cuthbert could stand in as the town’s church instead.
Did people mistake the actors for real police?
Reportedly yes. While in their police costumes, Pegg and Frost were frequently mistaken for real officers and asked for directions by passersby.
Are there any famous hidden cameos?
Yes. Cate Blanchett and Steve Coogan appear uncredited, Peter Jackson turns up as a demented Father Christmas, and Edgar Wright himself cameos as a Somerfield shelf stacker.
Who are the villains behind all the deaths in Sandford?
The Neighbourhood Watch Alliance stages murders as accidents to remove anyone threatening the town’s chances in the Village of the Year competition.
Did the film feature other well-known British actors?
Yes. The cast includes Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Olivia Colman, Edward Woodward, and Billie Whitelaw, among others.
How did Hot Fuzz do at the box office?
It grossed about $80.7 million worldwide against a reported budget of $12 million to $16 million, and took in £7.1 million in its first UK weekend.
Was Hot Fuzz well received?
Yes. It holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 out of 100 on Metacritic, won the Empire Award for Best Comedy, and was ranked 50th on Empire’s 2016 list of the best British films.
