We bring you the facts about the actor turned director…
This week, SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON is released in Irish cinemas. The film, which tells the story of one of Hollywood’s good guys, is directed by none other than Mike ‘Austin Powers’ Myers. With this in mind, we decided to take a look at the actor/director’s career and bring you the facts about Mike Myers.
1. Party On!
WAYNE’S WORLD was Myers’ movie debut. The film was based on characters that Myers had created for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and is the highest grossing film based on a SNL skit.
2. BBC Heaven
Remember the song ‘BBC’ from AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY? The song is credited to the band Ming Tea, which Myers formed with Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet during his SNL days. The group adopted 1960s personas and pseudonyms to suit their retro-mod sound. This is where Myers came up with the character of Austin Powers, and was encouraged to base a film around the character by his then wife, Robin Ruzan.
3. Homeland
Although Myers was born in Canada – and has a street named after him in his home town of Scarborough, Ontario – Myers’ parents are from Liverpool. As such, Myers carries a British passport, has said in interviews that he considers himself British, and he supports Liverpool FC.
4. Streets Ahead
As well as Mike Myers Drive in Ontario, Myers has also got a street honouring him in Utah; Wayne’s World Drive in Draper, Utah.
5. ‘As I write this letter…’
Myers Owns the last letter ever written by George Harrison, given to him very shortly after Harrison’s death and while AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER was in production. In the letter, Harrison compliments Myers on the Austin Powers movies and asks him for a Mini Me doll.
6. The geeks shall inherit the earth…
Myers not only collects and paints model soldiers, he also is an avid Dungeons and Dragons player. In fact, Myers participated in the Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day in 2006.
7. His Own Worst Critic
Myers agreed to bring another of his SNL characters – Dieter – to the big screen, but backed out of the project because he didn’t want to cheat audiences with an unacceptable script; one he had written. Myers was sued by Universal and in turn, countersued.
8. Liar Liar
Myers originally wanted Jim Carret to play Dr. Evil in the AUSTIN POWERS trilogy, but took the role himself when Carrey passed, due to scheduling conflicts with LIAR LIAR.
9. What a Difference an Accent Makes
Mike Myers recorded Shrek’s voice in a accent free voice before the film was test-screened. After watching it, Myers decided that the voice didn’t sound right and had all of his lines re-recorded with a Scottish accent, based on the voice his mother used when reading him bedtime stories as a child.
10. Groovy, Baby!
After a break of 12 years, Austin Powers is set to return to the big screen in the near future, with Myers signed on to write the fourth film in the franchise and, presumably, reprise some of his most famous roles.
SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON is released in Irish cinemas on July 18th 2014
Words: Brogen Hayes