Yeah, baby! Yeah! It's been 20 years since the release of SNL alum Mike Myers' AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY, and to celebrate the occasion several members of the Austin Powers cast and crew recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to share a chin-wag about the raunchy comedic film series. In addition to talking about bringing the Austin Powers character back for a fourth installment, Myers, Jay Roach and others shared their thoughts about the film's bizarre shooting locations, the joy of working with the late Carrie Fisher and more.
The following excerpts have been taken from an interview conducted by Ryan Parker of The Hollywood Reporter:
When asked about the possibility of there being another Austin Powers film, Myers exclaimed, "I would love to do another, but you just have to see."
Director Jay Roach also weighed in on the subject by saying, "We have talked about [making a fourth movie] for 15 years. We have also always said we don't want to do it unless we came up with something that lived up to the concepts in our mind. Until Mike feels like he has a concept that earns a fourth, it won't happen. But if it did, we have all agreed that we would be delighted to get back into it."
Also joining Myers and Roach for the interview was producer Michael De Luca, who recalls how terribly the first film tested with audience members by saying, "The test screenings were not good. But it was a curve-ball movie that wasn't really built for test screenings."
Jay Roach then lent his thoughts to the conversation by stating, "Studios come down on you if you score a 70 in a test screening — we never got above a 55. De Luca said, "I get it and I think it is going to catch on. I am just going to spend more marketing money to make sure it does." That's not a typical studio response. It was crazy to take a stance like that."
As the interview continued, actress Elizabeth Hurley chimed in to reminisce about what it was like to shoot at the Scientology Celebrity Centre in L.A. when she remarked, "Bizarrely, we shot it in the Scientology Celebrity Centre in L.A. It took a whole day, as it was one continuous take. Mike and I were nude but covered with little bits of red sticky tape. We all knew each other so well by then, so we weren't self-conscious."
Lastly, Myers was then asked about what it was like to work beside the great and late Carrie Fisher. He recalled their time together by sharing the following, "I knew Carrie Fisher a little bit. I sent the script to her in the hopes that she would play the therapist. And she wrote a very lovely, supportive letter saying how much she loved the movie. She was so supportive during the shoot. She just kept giving me a hug and telling me, "I just love this scene and how weird the choices are."
While I would imagine that recapturing the magic of the Autin Powers movies would be a tall order for everyone involved, I will completely cop to the fact that I'd be so down for an Austin Powers 4. For starters, think of all the bawdy "Austin is old now" jokes Myers could write. Aside from that, I think another installment to the franchise could be a great opportunity for Myers to shine, once again.
Myers next film is a comedy entitled DEL in which Myers will portray Del, a famous improv comic who has been credited for giving several high-profile comedians their start in the business.
What do you think? Would you be excited to hear that another Austin Powers movie was given the green light? Or, has the characters time come and gone? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.