Edgar Wright reacts to unauthorized Spaced AI remaster

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have reacted with dismay to the announcement of an unauthorized 4K AI remaster of Spaced for a 2027 Blu-ray release. The director discovered the project via a fan's inquiry on social media, stating he had been pushing for a standard Blu-ray release for years but was excluded from this new version.

Wright confirmed the 4K remaster was not authorized by anyone involved in making the show. He said he was disheartened and called the situation a bummer, noting that he and the original team were very involved in all previous editions but not this one. Fellow series co-creator Simon Pegg also stated he was completely unaware of the release and had no say in it, adding he would have rejected the cover art.

Unauthorized remaster details

The 4K remaster of Spaced was created using AI and proprietary tools without input from the original creators. Studio All3Media is behind the project, which it claims upgrades a new 4K master using a combination of traditional and proprietary tools. The official description states the process involves non-commercial and algorithmic corrections, enhanced frame by frame by a manual operator.

The Amazon UK listing confirms the upscaling used a proprietary AI algorithm. The report does not clarify whether the AI work was done with permission from rights holders beyond All3Media, nor if the original creators were consulted. It is also not confirmed if the release will include any new special features beyond those in earlier editions.

Release and production background

The complete series is being remastered on 4K Blu-ray with a release date set for February 2027 in the UK. This marks the first time Spaced will be available on Blu-ray. The release is produced by All3Media, a British label now part of Banijay Entertainment following a merger completed earlier this year. Pre-orders are live on Amazon UK.

The series, which aired on Channel 4 from 1999 to 2001, comprises two seasons and 14 episodes, all directed by Edgar Wright. It was originally shot on standard definition DigiBeta cameras. The announcement follows false rumors of a Spaced reboot that circulated online months earlier.

Original creators excluded

The 4K remaster will not feature new contributions from the show's original creators. This extends beyond Wright and Pegg to include co-creator and star Jessica Hynes, as well as Nick Frost. A notable 2008 DVD release featured commentary from special guests like Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and Diablo Cody, but no such new collaborations are part of this project.

Wright co-created and co-wrote Spaced with Jessica Hynes and directed every episode. He and Simon Pegg are currently meeting weekly to discuss ideas for a new film together. The report is vague about the specific reasons why the original creative team was not involved in the 4K remaster. Edgar Wright closed his remarks by reiterating he was disheartened by the entire situation.