Simon Pegg Has A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING

[Update to pass along the news that Indomina Releasing has secured US distribution rights for this film, their press release is at the bottom of this post]

Those stories about Star Trek 2 not being ready to shoot any time soon? Those would appear to be true because co-star Simon Pegg has just signed on to take the lead in another film entirely, the dark comedy A Fantastic Fear Of Everything.

Simon Pegg plays Jack, a children's author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered.  When Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent and a mysterious Hollywood executive takes a sudden and inexplicable interest in his script, what should be his 'big break' rapidly turns into his 'big breakdown', as Jack is forced to confront his worst demons; among them his love life, his laundry and the origin of all fear.

Written and co-directed by CJ Mills - formerly of Kula Shaker - with Chris Hopewell co-directing A Fantastic Fear Of Everything has already got European distribution lined up for next year with no word yet on a US release.

US Distribution press release:

INDOMINA EMBRACES 'FEAR'

The Indomina Group, Universal Pictures and Pinewood Studios Group Pact on Financing and Distribution for New Comedy "A Fantastic Fear of Everything"

Los Angeles, CA / London, England - July 27, 2011 - It was announced today that The Indomina Group, the fast-growing U.S. and Dominican Republic based producer and distributor of film, TV and transmedia content, has acquired North American Distribution rights to the comedy "A Fantastic Fear of Everything" starring Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz") and produced by Keel Films. The announcement was made by Indomina Group Vice Chairman and CEO Jasbinder Singh Mann.

Currently being shot at Shepperton Studios in London, the film will be released in the U.S. through Indomina's North American distribution division, Indomina Releasing. Universal Pictures will release the film in the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. Indomina's international sales division will handle sales for all other territories. Indomina is also providing production financing.

"A Fantastic Fear of Everything" is written and directed by musician-turned-filmmaker Crispian Mills, marking his feature debut. He is joined by co-director and animator Chris Hopewell as part of a collaboration with Collision Films, whose award-winning work includes Radiohead's There There and The Killers' Smile Like You Mean It.  The film is produced by Geraldine Patten. 

In the film, Jack (Simon Pegg) is a children's author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered. When Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent and a mysterious Hollywood executive takes a sudden and inexplicable interest in his script, what should be his 'big break' rapidly turns into his 'big breakdown', as Jack is forced to confront his worst demons; among them his love life, his laundry and the origin of all fear.

Starring Simon Pegg as Jack, and introducing Alan Drake, A Fantastic Fear of Everything also stars Amara Karan (The Darjeeling Limited), Clare Higgins (Hellraiser) and Sheridan Smith (Hysteria). 

"A Fantastic Fear of Everything" is the first film to receive backing from 'Pinewood Films' - a new finance initiative for small budget independent British films by the Pinewood Studios Group.