Simon Pegg considered quitting acting

4 July 2016

Simon Pegg considered quitting acting after appearing in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.

Simon Pegg

The 46-year-old writer and actor fulfilled a life-long dream of featuring in a 'Star Wars' movie when he appeared in the role of Unkar Plutt, and has revealed that the dramatic moment caused him to reconsider his career path.

He recalled: "I had a bit of a crisis of confidence afterwards. I hadn't had the chance to take stock, and I came home to the UK and I was pretty sure I wanted to quit acting.

"I called my agent and I said - this is an absolutely true story, and ridiculous if a little name-droppy - but I said: 'Look, I want to take some time off and think about what I want to do next.'

"I was being a bit dramatic. I said: 'Don't call me for the next six months, unless like, Steven Spielberg calls.' Then, of course, my phone rang."

Spielberg offered him a part in his new sci-fi blockbuster, 'Ready Player One', which Simon gleefully accepted.

He told the Observer newspaper: "He's someone who's influenced me my whole life, my love of film and my love of the craft."

Although the movie is based on the young adult novel by Ernest Cline set in 2045, Simon and his hit sitcom 'Spaced' are referenced in it.

He said: "In one scene there's the line: 'Let's go home and watch 'Spaced'. Let's have a 'Spaced marathon'.' I always felt flattered that anyone would consider that 'Spaced' would exist in America in 2045."

Despite his obvious enthusiasm, Simon recently attracted the ire of some sci-fi fans by suggesting the culture has contributed to the "infantilisation of society".

He said previously: "There are things going on that people should be upset about: slave brides and God knows what. Yet there seems to be louder complaints about the fact that Batman shot somebody. People love to get offended by anything. There are so many virtual pitchforks online...

"The internet democratises disgruntlement in such a way where, ordinarily, people would just keep that s**t to themselves, but now they can find others who are similarly bitter and want to share."