Pegg knows ‘How to Lose Friends’

Quick Links > How to Lose Friends and Alienate People > Simon Pegg > Shaun of the Dead

Simon Pegg, best known for his starring role in Shaun of the Dead has been tapped to take the lead in the movie adaptation of Toby Young’s bestselling book “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People,” in which the self-promoting British writer mercilessly details his disastrous stint as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair in New York and his often vain attempts to ingratiate himself to various celebrities and supermodels.

The film version How to Lose Friends and Alienate People also features Toby’s relentless depiction of Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter’s ego and grandeur as well as the self-importance of the entire Vanity Fair staff. Unlike the book, names have been changed for the movie version, Vanity Fair becomes Sharps magazine and Graydon Carter becomes Clayton Harding.

The flick has been picked up by Britain’s Oscar® winning Channel 4 production arm Film Four, who has tapped Emmy® winning director Robert Weide to helm the project in his feature debut. Weide is best known for his directing of the British comedy hit “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Film Four has also chosen Peter Straughan to pen the adaptation of Young’s bestseller. This will be Straughan’s second credited writing post, following his feature debut in the as yet unreleased UK drama “Sixty Six”(2006). Shooting in New York and the UK is set to begin in spring 2007.