There have been rumors of an Austin Powers 4 in the works pretty much since Austin Powers in Goldmember grossed nearly $300 million worldwide in 2002.  Some of the talk postulated a movie that centers entirely on Dr. Evil.  That always sounded awful to this writer, so I'm glad to from Hitfix that when Mike Myers closed a deal to return for Austin Powers 4, the deal is to return as Austin Powers.  And as Dr. Evil, and probably as Fat Bastard, too.Director Jay Roach, the man who directed the first three Austin Powers movies, is not confirmed for the sequel.  But during press for his last movie, Dinner for Schmucks, he was already talking about ideas for Austin Powers 4, specifically how he would like to do it in 3D.  Read what he had to say after the jump.[Update: Deadline reports that Myers hasn't officially signed a deal for Austin Powers 4 yet, but his reps came to New Line this week to express interest in the deal. In short, AP4 is most likely happening, but it may not be official just yet.]Roach was asked about the idea of a 3D comedy, and he wondered aloud whether the concept could work:

If we ever did an Austin Powers 4, I would love to do Dr. Evil’s world in 3D. It would be fantastic.  I wonder if anyone would think about… I guess you couldn’t really mix and match. It’d be great to use it as a one-world as 3D and the other world is… it probably would make more sense if Austin’s world was 3D and Dr. Evil’s was more flat.

I don't know that 3D is the tool that will reinvigorate the Austin Powers franchise, but at least he's thinking in those terms.  Myers just turned 48, and could very well be 50 before the movie comes out.  This will be a good, two-decade case study for my theory that comedy, like rap, is a young man's game.

I am not totally convinced the sequel is fact.  The project could fall by the wayside if Myers isn't 100% motivated.  But if Austin Powers 4 is indeed coming, what is the fan appetite?  Are you in?

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