As Mike Myers prepares to return to the swamp with Shrek 5 next summer, the actor is already looking ahead to the franchise’s future — and sharing his excitement about Donkey finally getting a movie of his own.
“I’d love to,” Myers told The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday night at the Focker-in-Law premiere in New York when asked about continuing the Shrek films beyond their fifth installment. “It’s so much fun. It’s so well written. The filmmakers are so lovely and they’re so nice to me and I love playing the character. I love the messages in there and Cameron [Diaz]’s fantastic and Eddie [Murphy]’s a genius.”
In addition to Shrek 5, which will welcome Focker-in-Law star Skyler Gisondo into the mix as Farkle, one of Shrek (Myers) and Fiona’s (Diaz) teenage triplet sons, the franchise is also expanding with a standalone Donkey movie. Murphy is set to return to voice the beloved character in the DreamWorks Animation feature with a release date set for June 30, 2028.
While the Donkey movie has been described as a prequel exploring the character’s origin story, Myers isn’t entirely ruling out the possibility that Shrek could make an appearance. Regardless, he’s looking forward to seeing his longtime co-star get the spotlight.
“I wish Donkey lived in my house! I love that character so much,” he said. “I don’t think I’m in it. I might be. I’m not sure, but it’s long overdue. That character is one of my favorite characters of all time, and Eddie’s so great in it. I’m surprised it hasn’t come sooner, but I’ll be the first in line to see it. I love that guy.”
Myers even joked about just how much he loves the character, adding, “Honest to God, I have a cat named Pickles, and I love that cat as much as I love Donkey.”
Another long-awaited project Myers addressed was a fourth Austin Powers movie. Myers and filmmaker Jay Roach, who directed the 1997 original Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and its two sequels, have previously teased the possibility of another installment in the James Bond-spoofing franchise. The last film, Austin Powers in Goldmember, hit theaters in 2002.
Though Myers was tight-lipped about revealing too much, he confirmed to THR that he is currently writing the screenplay for a fourth film.
“Yes, we are. I’m writing it right now; I’m having a great time,” he said. “I’m very, very secretive. He’s a secret agent, so I can’t really say too much.”
Original Article on Hollywood Reporter