Working Title chooses Wright path

'Hot Fuzz' director tapped for two Universal pics

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Wright

Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner have extended their relationship with British filmmaker Edgar Wright, signing him to make two more films that will be distributed by Universal Pictures.

Wright, who directed the comedies "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" for Working Title, will first write and direct "Baby Driver," a wild spin on the action/crime genre that will be set in the U.S.

He will follow with "The World's End," the working title of a comedy that he'll co-write with Simon Pegg, his writing partner on "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz."

Pegg, who starred in both of those films, will once again topline the pic, which the duo said completes a trilogy of homages to their favorite genres.

Pegg, starring in the David Schwimmer-directed "Run Fatboy Run," is playing Scotty in the J.J. Abrams-directed Paramount film "Star Trek."

Both "Baby Driver" and "The World's End" will be produced by Working Title in association with Big Talk Prods., with Nira Park, Bevan and Fellner producing.

Extending the deal with Wright is important for Working Title and Universal, because the studio has placed a priority on generating films that feed an overseas distribution operation that was overhauled to maximize profitability. Working Title comedies "Hot Fuzz" and "Mr. Bean's Holiday" were highly profitable offshore hits for the studio.

"We are delighted to continue to be in business with Edgar," Fellner said. "We see him as one of the most gifted writers and directors in the industry today."