Mike Myers will have to go back to the drawing-board after studio bosses have insisted he change the title of the new Austin Powers film, Goldmember. New Line Cinema, which is behind the third instalment of the spoof spy caper, has been taken to court by 007 licensees MGM and Danjaq over claims that the film's title is too close to the 1964 Bond classic Goldfinger.
“MGM/UA and Danjaq have a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who tries to trade in on the James Bond franchise without authorisation,” said an MGM spokesman, as New Line began recalling all promotional materials and anything else bearing the now-banned title.
“We are currently in the arbitration process and trying to resolve this matter under the MPAA guidelines,” replied New Line in a statement. “Until that time, we will be referring to the film as the third instalment of Austin Powers.”
The film, which started shooting at the tail end of last year, has a star-studded cast. As well as Mike Myers in the lead role, Sir Michael Caine will appear as Austin’s father, and Destiny’s Child frontwoman Beyoncé Knowles will be the bumbling spy’s love interest. Old favourites such as Michael York, Robert Wagner, and Seth Green all have roles, as does Verne Troyer, who proved such a hit in the role of Mini-Me.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
