After experiencing a few delays due to the pandemic, the release of Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho is nearly upon us. The film stars Thomasin McKenzie as a young woman obsessed with the Swingin’ Sixties of London. After living a glamorous sixties life through the eyes of an aspiring singer (Anya Taylor-Joy), she soon discovers the past and present have begun to collide in dangerous ways.
Edgar Wright recently spoke with Total Film about Last Night in Soho and the story behind how the title came to be. Turns out, Quentin Tarantino was responsible.
In Death Proof, Quentin uses a Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich song, ‘Hold Tight’. I was talking to him about that song, and that band, and he said, ‘Have you ever heard ‘Last Night in Soho’?’ He played it for me, and he goes, ‘This is the best title music for a film that’s never been made.’
Wright explained that Last Night in Soho went through several titles, including Red Light Area and The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, but there were already movies with the same or similar titles… but then he remembered Quentin Tarantino’s comment. “Quentin was deep into Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so I hadn’t really had time to tell him,” Wright said. “And then it was in the trades. I said, ‘Hey, did you hear what my movie’s called?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I read it.’ I said, ‘Are you annoyed with me?’ He goes, ‘You know what? Only you could make that movie.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m going to thank you on the end credits for giving me the song.’ He goes, ‘OK, but I’ve got to fess up now. What I said about it being the best end-credits song for a movie that doesn’t exist, is something that [writer, director, producer] Allison Anders used to say. So if you credit me, you’ve also got to credit her.’“
Last Night in Soho recently debuted at the Venice International Film Festival, and you can check out a review from our own Chris Bumbray right here. The film will hit theaters on October 29, 2021.