Austin Powers director Jay Roach says a fourth movie could still happen

In one of the grooviest film stories of the year so far, director Jay Roach has revealed that a fourth Austin Powers movie could yet still happen.

It’s been 18 years since Mike Myers’ charismatic spy was last in cinemas, alongside Beyoncé in Goldmember, but Roach has revealed that a new Powers movie is something he’s “always game for”.

Roach, who directs new film Bombshell, spoke to Deadline about the prospect of another sequel, saying: "I wouldn't say never never... I'm always game for whatever [Myers] wants to do.

"It does depend on Mike having something that he's inspired about, and so far, after all these years, it hasn't quite clicked yet."

Austin Powers first appeared in International Man of Mystery back in 1997, before returning for the sequels The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and Goldmember (2002).

It’s not the first time Roach has talked about the possibility of another sequel. Last year he spoke about an idea for another movie which centered around Dr Evil, conceding that it might no longer be possible following the passing of Mini-Mi actor Verne Troyer.

"We've been trying to think up an idea that could earn a fourth film for a long time, but it's always up to Mike,” he told the Independent. “He and I always thought there was more to do with Dr. Evil.

"To be honest, I don't know how we'd do it without Verne. We always had ideas of revealing a whole life that he had that would have taken his character much further."

Further details have yet to be revealed, but fans of the International Man of Mystery can be hopeful of the future.