The Costco Connection - December 2015

DECEMBER 2015 ;e Costco Connection 55 arts & entertainment

By Steve Fisher

MANY TELEVISION SHOWS have been adapted to the big screen to create a “tentpole,” defined by Merriam-Webster as “a big-budget movie whose earnings are expected to compensate the studio for its less profitable movies.” Not all succeed, but Mission: Impossible, spawned by the old TV series of the 1960s and ’70s, has proven a potent success for Paramount, thanks to intriguing characters, exotic settings and high-octane action.

Tom Cruise is front and center as the star of the franchise, playing Ethan Hunt, the lead agent of the IMF (Impossible Mission Force), but the IMF is a team. One of the key members is Benji Dunn, a tech expert, played by Simon Pegg, perhaps best known for his British com-edies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, as well as for playing Scotty in the current Star Trek film series. The Connection interviewed Pegg via email from the set of the next Star Trek film in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Costco Connection: What first attracted you to Mission: Impossible?

Simon Pegg: J.J. Abrams called and asked me if I’d come and do a few days on Mission: Impossible III. It was a complete surprise. My response was simple and quick: “Where do I sign?”

CC: How would you describe Benji?

SP: Benji is an enthusiast. He loves being
a spy and can’t quite believe he gets to do the
things he does. In that respect, he’s just like
me. Benji’s relationship with Ethan is similar
to mine and Tom’s. He spends most of the
time thinking, “I’m working with Ethan
Hunt. Cool!”

CC: How has the character evolved over the three films?

SP: He’s grown as a person and an agent. He’s become more capable, more experienced. He’s evolved, but he’s essentially the same guy. It’s been a very fun journey to play.

CC: To what degree do you do your own stunts?

SP: I do everything they let me do. I never opt out of a stunt if I don’t have to. Our stunt team always wants us to do as much as possible, and one thing I learned from Tom is to never back down from a stunt. It always looks better if it’s you.;

CC: What is it like to work with Tom Cruise and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie?

SP: Tom and Chris are an amazing team. They think on the same wavelength and communicate in a way that’s fast and effective.

They’re also open to ideas and happy to col-
laborate. It has to be about the script, and a
good writer will know when to incorporate
suggestions and also when to politely decline.
Chris and Tom are great at that.

CC: What would you like to do that you haven’t been able to do yet?

SP: I’d love to do some drama. I often see myself referred to as a comic or comedian, and I’m not. I did stand-up for a few years after I graduated from university and have specialized in comedy, but much of my training was in serious theater. I’d like to flex those muscles at some point.

CC: What kind of films do you personally like to watch?

SP: Good ones. Bad films make me angry. The amount of work, energy, sweat and blood it takes to make a movie. It breaks my heart to see it squandered.

CC: How long do you see MI going?

SP: As long as there are fresh ideas and ingenious directors to give them vision, it’s a story that can keep going. There will always be crazy, selfish maniacs who want to tear the world down. We need the IMF to give us hope. C

The Costco Connection Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation is available in Blu-ray/Digital HD (Item #985656) and Mission: Impossible—The 5 Movie Collection in Blu-ray/Digital HD (Item #1022037) at all Costcos on 12/15.