EDGAR WRIGHT – A PROFILE

Growing up in the UK, Edgar Wright began crafting his distinct visual style at a young age directing super 8 films starring his school friends. Firstly, at 20, he directed the no-budget western A Fistful of Fingers which had a limited theatrical release. This led to a foray into television where he directed a handful of comedy shows including both seasons of the award-winning cult classic Spaced.

Moreover, it was here that Wright began his iconic collaboration with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as well as his producing partner, Nira Park, who he has worked with on everything he has directed since.

LAUNCHING PAD

Spaced served as a launching pad for the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead which became a sleeper box office hit. This was followed by Hot Fuzz and The World’s End. These films became known as the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, of which all were co-written by Wright and Pegg.

In-between Fuzz and World’s End, Wright co-wrote and directed the acclaimed Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

COLLABORATIONS

Wright has also collaborated with many acclaimed filmmakers: he co-wrote The Adventures of Tintin for director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson and directed the faux trailer for Don’t, which played between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse.

PRODUCER CREDITS

As an executive producer, Wright championed Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block and Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers. Wright’s 2017 film, Baby Driver, grossed over $220 million worldwide at the box office. More importantly, it went on to receive three Academy Award nominations as well as two BAFTA nominations, winning Best Editing.

COMPLETE FICTION PICTURES

In 2018, Wright and Park set up Complete Fiction Pictures with long-time collaborators Joe Cornish and Rachael Prior. His first documentary, The Sparks Brothers, covered the entire 50-year legacy of Ron and Russell Mael of California pop band Sparks. It premiered at Sundance in January 2021 and was released in cinemas summer 2021.

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO

Wright’s latest film, Last Night in Soho, premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. It was released in cinemas worldwide on October 29th of that same year.

RECOGNITION

Wright was a member of the Dramatic Jury at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, a juror for the Main Competition at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, and a judge for the 2011 and 2014 Independent Spirit Awards. In his spare time he has presented films for the TCM Film Festival as well as programmed film series for the New Beverly Cinema in LA, the Bloor Cinema in Toronto, and at the BFI Southbank, Prince Charles Cinema, and Picturehouse Central in London.

In 2022, Wright became a Governor of the British Film Institute. He will help support and seek out the next generation of UK storytellers.