Dorky Smile!

With most people familiar with his smiling mug from such international hits like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (and if there's any justice, for the soon-to-be released Spaced DVD set), Simon Pegg is an actor on the move.  With two bona-fide cult hits under his belt and his stepping into the role of Star Trek's reinvented Scotty (from the late James Doohan) it doesn't look like his geeky credit is going to lessen anytime soon.  While hardcore Pegg fans such as myself my contort our faces at the idea of our hero involved in what appears like your standard Hollywood romantic-comedy, a few peeks closer and you might start to understand why the man who helped invent the romantic-zombie-comedy might be interested.

Based on British writer Toby Young's hit 2001 memoir of the same name, How To Lose Friends & Alienate People might be the big push to catapult the funnyman into the public consciousness of America.  Its almost fitting that Pegg finds himself surrounded by talented actors made famous through their comicbook and geek-chic roles, including Kirsten Dunst (Spiderman), Jeff Bridges (Iron Man), Megan Fox (Transformers), and let's not forget Gillian Anderson (X-Files).  This will be director Robert B. Weide's theatrical debut, having made a name for himself with the absurdly funny Curb Your Enthusiasm.  With its true-life story of a fumbling writer (Pegg) trying to make it big while interning for Vanity Fair Magazine and mega-talent in front of and behind the camera, this could easily be The Devil Wears Prada for the male set.

Or it could be another box-office and thudded-fan disaster like a certain Run, Fatboy, Run.  No sense ignoring the facts, but I'm getting a much better vibe here.  Check out the trailer for yourselves, and get ready as the film drops into theaters (presumably) later this year!