It’s been three years since Mike Myers stepped in front of the camera in a lead role and that was in the 2008 box-office misfire The Love Guru. It looks like Myers is ready to get back up on the horse (albeit a much more proven one,) as Hitfix is reporting that he has now officially signed on to reprise his most famous on-screen persona, the shagadelic British spy Austin Powers.
It’s been almost a decade since Austin Powers: Goldmember, which was the most successful of the series domestically and just a few chest hairs away from The Spy Who Shagged Me‘s franchise leading box-office gross. The question now is whether or not audiences will still welcome the International Man of Mystery back with open arms, or if they prefer Myers where he’s been spending most of his time when working recently — behind a mic lending his voice to a beloved character that has made both him and many others truckloads of money.
The Pulse: While nobody else is confirmed to return yet one can only speculate that this film will get fast-tracked for a late 2012, or summer 2013 release (though if I had to put money on it I’d go with summer 2013, as the final months of 2012 are crowded with potential box-office giants — not to mention that the previous films in the series have all been summer releases.)
As far as casting goes, with Myers on board it really takes care of over 50% of the main cast. As far as educated guesses go, Seth Green has to be almost a guaranteed lock for a return. Not only is he the character that helps keep Dr. Evil grounded, his “cliffhanger” of an ending in the last film leaves the door open for many different directions to be taken.
Of course, a female co-star will also be needed and this is where things get interesting. Who would be a good partner for Austin this time around? The first name that popped into my head when I saw this news was Scarlett Johansson. I think her personality and looks would fit a film like this perfectly, not to mention her recent work as Black Widow proves that she’s got more than enough spy capabilities in her. An equally good choice (and very possible considering her star won’t stop rising as of late) is Olivia Wilde. Wilde would also be a great fit for the part, and come to think of it, why not Johansson as Scott Evil’s #2 and Wilde as Austin’s partner? That’d be groovy baby, yeah.
While we won’t know for sure who will be starring alongside Myers for a while yet, what the plot is or who will be at the helm of the film, we at least know that there will be another Austin Powers movie and that’s good news in my books. Now, let the guesses of the possible film title commence! Live and Let Shag? License to Shag? Thunderballs?
What do you think of this news? Are you excited about another Austin Powers flick being made? Do you think it’s been too long and the character is finished? What about who you’d like to see star alongside Myers in the female lead, or the possible title of the film? Sound off below!
UPDATE: For more on this breaking story, click here
