It’s been 24 years since Mike Myers last played Dr. Evil, in 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember. But that changed yesterday with a new Verizon ad starring Myers and directed by Jay Roach. While that’s pretty cool if you’re a fan of the Canadian comedian, who is VERY picky with the roles he chooses, there was bigger news as Myers promised that a fourth Austin Powers movie is happening.
When asked about Austin Powers 4, Myers confirmed with a “yes” on Trevor Noah’s YouTube channel, where he’s doing a World Cup watch party. Now, to be fair, Myers has been promising more Austin Powers for years, and nothing has actually happened.
This time might be different, though. Roach directed all three Austin Powers movies, beginning with 1997’s International Man of Mystery, then The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999, and finally 2002’s Goldmember. That he and Myers are working together again on this Dr. Evil-centric commercial suggests that something is afoot.
I was a huge fan of the first Austin Powers, but cooled with the sequels. I’d be interested in seeing how they do a spy spoof like that now, as so much about the genre has changed. Myers seems to be getting back into acting shape again, too, after staying out of the spotlight for ages. He’ll return to voice the title character in Shrek 5, which just released a new teaser yesterday.
