Austin Powers 4 seems more likely than ever after Mike Myers‘ latest comments. To succeed, it will need to avoid a trend that has hurt other legacy sequels like Zoolander 2.

Austin Powers 4 has been rumored for many years. Myers has said he would love to do another Austin Powers movie, though nothing has been greenlit.

However, Austin Powers 4 has gained serious momentum in the past few days. Myers resurrected Austin Powers‘ archenemy Dr. Evil for a new Verizon commercial. Then, Myers gave an emphatic “yes” when asked by Trevor Noah about whether we will ever see Austin Powers 4.

All signs point toward Austin Powers 4 being produced. If it eventually comes to fruition, it must avoid the trappings that plagued earlier legacy sequels.

Austin Powers 4 must balance nostalgia with a new story

Crafting a legacy sequel is a tricky proposition. Most of them fail because they rely too heavily on nostalgia instead of pushing the story forward. Legacy sequels can bring back familiar characters and resurrect old bits, but hey must also introduce new characters and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Zoolander 2 is an example of a legacy sequel gone wrong. There are some funny bits scattered throughout the movie, but those are few and far between. Instead of prioritizing an engaging story, Zoolander 2 relied on celebrity cameos and recycled gags from the original. The sequel flopped and garnered negative reviews.

If Austin Powers wants to succeed, it can still bring back the titular British agent with Dr. Evil, Scott Evil, and other memorable characters. It must also create a modern-day storyline that presents a new challenge for Austin instead of repackaging one that worked in the previous movies.

Austin Powers 4 should look at Top Gun: Maverick, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Creed, and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm for inspiration when crafting a legacy sequel. These four movies found the perfect balance between nostalgia and originality.