Shaun Of The Dead stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have repurposed a scene from their classic zombie comedy to promote social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and all that’s missing from their timely PSA is an ice-cold Cornetto.
Taking to YouTube, the duo riffed on the flick’s planning scene, in which our two heroes debate how, exactly, to see out the fictional undead crisis gripping England.
Gone are the references to killing Bill Nighy with a cricket bat and holing up in local pub The Winchester. Instead, the pair discuss level-headed advice about following official National Health Service guidelines, including the need to stay the hell away from people.
“If you can, stay at home, have a cup of tea, and wait for all of this to blow over,” Pegg said.
“Above all, don’t be a twat about things.”
Also featured: Pegg unpacking the original scene’s “gay” joke, and acknowledging it should probably remain in 2004.
The Guardian reports the UK has counted 3,269 COVID-19 cases and recorded 144 deaths. As health authorities battle the pandemic, the new video serves as a timely reminder of the potentially life-saving power of not going to the bloody pub.
You can compare the new version to the original below:
