Austin Powers Cast Members Push for Fourth Film After Myers Teases Return

A fan question at a live streaming event got a short but pointed answer from Mike Myers this week, and it was enough to set off a new round of speculation about a fourth Austin Powers film.

During an appearance on Trevor Noah's World Cup Watch Party, a fan asked Myers directly whether Austin Powers 4 would ever happen. Myers replied "Yes," then said nothing further on the subject, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The appearance came on the same day a Verizon commercial dropped online featuring Myers back in character as Dr. Evil. The ad also brought back Rob Lowe as Number 2, Seth Green as Scott Evil, and Mindy Sterling as Frau Farbissina, all in character.

Two franchise veterans told THR they are ready to return. Michael York, who played British Intelligence head Basil Exposition in all three films, said he hears sequel talk constantly.

"I hear about that all the time," York said. "And I hope it's true because that [franchise] really works. Nobody knew at the beginning it would, but [Myers] did — and not once, but three times."

Clint Howard, who appeared in all three films as a radar operator, was more direct about his own availability.

"I would step up and show up immediately," Howard told THR. "The first Austin Powers was just this little comedy, but I had a great time. I get asked about Austin Powers all the time at pop conventions."

Howard also addressed a long-circulated reason for why a fourth film stalled. He said he was told by someone other than Myers that the 2018 death of Verne Troyer, who played Mini-Me, may have slowed any progress.

"I heard that when Verne passed away, Mike said he would never do another Austin Powers movie without Verne," Howard said. "Maybe time heals that wound."

The original 1997 film collected $67 million at the domestic box office. The second film surpassed $310 million globally, and the third fell just short of $300 million. The franchise last appeared in theaters in 2002 with Austin Powers in Goldmember. Myers and director Jay Roach have both previously teased a fourth installment without any confirmed production moving forward.

In 2007, Myers told IGN that a fourth film had a fully conceived idea centered on Dr. Evil's perspective. No studio release date or greenlight has been announced.