Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil Returned for the 2022 Super Bowl; Is ‘Austin Powers 4’ Happening?
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Austin Powers movies became a cultural phenomenon. Characters such as Austin Powers (Mike Myers), Dr. Evil (also Myers), and Mini-Me (Verne Troyer)became household names. But after 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember, the franchise ended, leaving Myers’ most popular live-action character in the dust. Now following Dr. Evil’s return in a new Super Bowl ad, could Myers revive the Austin Powers series soon?
How many ‘Austin Powers’ movies are there?
Myers, of course, first rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL). And it was there where the seeds of his first movie were planted. Myers and Dana Carvey starred in both 1992’s Wayne’s World — based on the SNL sketch — and its 1993 sequel. But a few years later, Myers starred in 1997’s Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. The film’s modest box office success would grow into Myers’ signature franchise after it hit home video.
By the time 1999’s Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me hit theaters, the series had gone mainstream. The sequel earned more than $200 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. That’s nearly four times as much as the first film. 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember — the third and final entry in the series — nearly matched its predecessor’s box office total. After three hit movies, Myers seemingly moved on from the Austin Powers series.
Dr. Evil and company return in a 2022 Super Bowl ad
Twenty years later, Myers returned as Dr. Evil for a new General Motors (GM) ad that aired during Super Bowl LVI. Joining him in the spot are Seth Green, Rob Lowe, and Mindy Sterling, all reprising the roles from the movies. The premise sees Dr. Evil — inspired by his grandson Kyle aka “Baby Me” — embracing GM’s Ultium Platform. As Sterling’s Frau Farbissina puts it, he “must help save the world first” before he takes over the world.
While the GM ad is by no means canon, it presents a few ideas that could work in the Austin Powers franchise. The third film ended with Dr. Evil going good, and Green’s Scott turning to evil. But after 20 years, it’s plausible the birth of Scott’s own son might set him straight. Likewise, Dr. Evil would likely find a way to do good while still justifying it with his goal of world domination. Defeating climate change, in this case, ties GM’s products into his character arc.
Will there be any more Austin Powers movies?
Seeing Myers and company back together might leave fans hungry for more Austin Powers. But does the GM ad aim to whet the appetite for more of these characters? After years of rumors and speculation, could Austin Powers 4 truly happen? According to what Myers told Today soon after the GM ad aired, it’s certainly a possibility.
“I would love to do [Austin Powers 4]. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’ll see. I can neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of such a program, should it exist or not exist.”
Myers’ cagey wording perhaps confirms development on something Austin Powers remains in the works. And if does happen, chances are Dr. Evil will take center stage. Myers clearly prefers playing that character, having revived him on SNL and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in recent years. So if a fourth film happens, it might feel very different from what’s come before, especially following the 2018 death of Troyer.
