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‘Lorne’ Exclusive Interview: Director Morgan Neville
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Opening in theaters on April 17th is the new documentary from Oscar winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (‘Man on the Run’) called ‘Lorne’, which chronicles the life and career of ‘Saturday Night Live’ creator Lorne Michaels.
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‘Lorne’ director Morgan Neville.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Morgan Neville about his work on ‘Lorne’, the style of the documentary, making it funny, his unprecedented access to ‘Saturday Night Live’, the show’s darkest period, conducting the interviews, what he learned about Lorne from making the movie, and the future of the long running show.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

Related Article: Morgan Neville Talks Paul McCartney Documentary ‘Man on the Run’

Lorne Michaels stars in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Moviefone: To begin with, the film plays almost like an ‘SNL’ parody of a celebrity biopic with animated sequences and Chris Parnell’s narration. Was that what you set out to do from the beginning or did you have to pivot when you realized you might not get what you need from Lorne Michaels himself?

Morgan Neville: I think my intent in the beginning was, I want this to be funny. I didn’t know how exactly. But beyond that, I don’t entirely have a plan about what the film is going to be. I know it had all these great ingredients. I know Lorne’s story is interesting. He’s a fascinating character who rarely does interviews or shows people into his life. I know the show is fascinating. I knew there were lots of interesting things, but I didn’t know how it would fit together. When we started shooting, what you see in the beginning of the film is my first day of shooting, where the cameras come out, and then Lorne vanishes. I felt like one of the themes of the film is basically the theme of me making the film. You go from somebody who really doesn’t seem like he wants a film made about him to somebody who has made his peace with it and is willing to give us a glimpse inside. That was my experience of making the film. So, the idea of bringing Chris Parnell in is a way of channeling ‘SNL’, but also the ‘TV Funhouse’. I mean, it’s also something that I’ve done with a lot of my films. I want the subject of the film to help me decide how to tell the story, so it feels like the telling of it is related to the subject. So, I just kept thinking, well, what is the ‘SNL’ version of a documentary about Lorne? Not to say that because it’s funny that there’s no substance there. Because one thing I’m also proud of is how the emotion sneaks into the film quietly, in a way you’re not expecting. Lorne, in the beginning, is like, “Why is this guy even here? Why is he torturing this poor crew?” But then you understand a lot more about what makes him tick and he opens in that way.

MF: The movie is very funny. Can you set out to make a funny documentary, or is that a result of the subject you are focusing on?

MN: I think humor is one of the great under discussed things in documentary film. I think some of my favorite documentaries are funny in different ways. That could be anything from the films that inspired me to make documentaries, like ‘Sherman’s March’, ‘Roger & Me’, and ‘The Atomic Cafe’. I mean, all the documentaries that got me excited, that are funny in different ways. Even in films I’ve made, like, ‘Best of Enemies’ or ‘Won’t you be my Neighbor?’ There are some big laughs in those films, too. But I think humor is such a great way of letting the audience exhale and open themselves up in a way if they’re laughing. They’re way more receptive to what you might want to share with them. So, I love that, and why can’t documentaries be comedies sometimes? So, this was me intentionally in the beginning saying, “I do want this to be a funny film.” Because it’s a film, most people who are going to watch it are comedy fans. I’ve seen a lot of documentaries about comedy that are really depressing. There are a lot of dark stories in comedy. But I always wanted to remember the comedy part of it, too. ‘Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces’ was the first comedy documentary I did that was purely comedy, and this is the second. With both, I tried to balance the funny with some weight or gravitas at the same time.

(L to R) Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins and Lorne Michaels in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All rights reserved.

MF: Can you talk about the unprecedented access that you had to Lorne and ‘Saturday Night Live’ and what did you learn about him as a person from your access?

MN: I think people think of Lorne as sitting on a throne, deciding who makes it in comedy and who doesn’t make it, and that he is just sitting there, flipping his finger, and deciding the fate of people. I think Lorne sees himself as beleaguered, in the trenches, and worrying about next week’s show and making 100 phone calls to sponsors, network people, affiliates, agents, studios, and cast members to just keep all the plates in the air. So, it’s funny that everybody thinks Lorne is just sitting pretty. I think Lorne feels like he’s just barely making it, because I asked everybody in the film, “At what point do you think Saturday Night Live became a show that was not going to disappear?” Some people said, “Well, when the show reinvented itself after 1995 with Will Ferrell and that amazing cast, or maybe after 9/11, when it became a place where people came together and mourned and laughed together for the first time.” I asked Lorne that question, and he said, “Maybe this year.” You know, fifty years in! So, I think Lorne’s the last person to pat himself on the back and feel like, job well done, we don’t have to worry anymore. I think Lorne is thinking about, “When this cast gels, where’s it going to be in two years?” He’s thinking about things like that. “Oh, this writer I have who might want to leave, maybe I can get him to work on a TV show, and I can get him a development deal.” He’s constantly pulling levers to keep everything kind of bubbling along and that’s something, People don’t see him sweat, but I think he feels like he’s in the thick of it. I think it’s maybe part of why he made the film, is for people to understand that producing is a real job. It’s not just sitting back and collecting checks. It’s a lot of invisible things that people just don’t understand.

MF: You mention in the film that the closest Lorne came to losing control of the show was in the mid- ‘90s, which culminated in the firing of Norm MacDonald. In discussing it with Lorne, did he express any regret in how that went down and being unable to protect Norm in the same way he has protected so many ‘SNL’ performers before and after?

MN: I don’t think so. I love Norm’s comedy. But, let’s face it, Norm was asking for it and in the funniest way possible. Norm was warned again and again and again. So, I think Norm enjoyed poking the bear, and I don’t think Norm felt like Lorne was to blame for any of that. I think the other person in that equation was Jim Downey, the legendary writer who started in season two, and was on and off the show for decades, who I interviewed in the documentary. Jim, at that time, was running ‘Weekend Update’ with Norm, and the two of them were thick as thieves, and they were the ones who were enjoying poking the bear. When Norm got fired, Jim got fired too, but Lorne quietly got Jim back the next year. I think Lorne both felt a loyalty to Jim, and really wanted to protect Jim. Norm was going to be fine. Lorne told the bosses, “Okay, I’ll let them go,” and then quietly rehired Jim, and helped Norm land his next thing. Again, it’s something that made Lorne incredibly unhappy to have to go through, but he is the king of the long game. You may lose the battles, but he always wins the war.

John Mulaney in ‘John Mulaney: Baby J’ Photo: Netflix.

MF: Of all the interviews you conducted, who had the most insight into Lorne and was there anyone you wanted to interview but were unable to?

MN: I mean, the only person I really wanted to interview who said no was Dan Aykroyd, and he had said he was just talked out from doing documentary interviews, which is fine. I get it. But at the same time, for a film like this, you could interview so many people, and I interviewed even more than I normally like to. I normally don’t like to interview a ton of people for a film because I want there to be a smaller chorus of voices. But even here, I could have interviewed another fifty people for this film easily. So, I wanted people from different chapters of his life, people like Howard Shore, who he met at camp as a 14-year-old to Rosie Shuster, his first wife he met in high school who became one of the original writers on ‘Saturday Night Live’. But one of my favorites was John Mulaney because he is both, such a great talker, but also a real student of Lorne’s. They’re friends, but I think John has studied Lorne, and I think when they’re together, John constantly peppers Lorne with questions, and he’s collecting as much information about Lorne as he can. So, I think he was ready to talk. I think he loved talking about Lorne. I think we did, like, a two-hour interview, and I said, “Well, I think that’s good,” and he was like, “Well, let’s keep going.” So we went for another hour, and then when we did the round table, he said, “Oh, I want to do that.” So, I got him together with Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Fred Armisen. But I think Mulaney was probably the MVP of talking about Lorne.

MF: Finally, I get the sense from the film that Lorne Michaels is ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘Saturday Night Live’ is Lorne Michaels, and that there is no retiring for him. He’ll leave the show when he must and it may go on for a while, but that will be the end of the show as we currently know it. What is your sense of the future of the series and how long do you think it will go on without Lorne Michaels at the helm?

MN: I think Lorne is not going to run the show for another fifty years, but he wants it to continue, and I think it will continue, just because, for no other reason, the IP of ‘SNL’ is very valuable, and people still watch and will continue to watch. It’s one of the last places where we come together to watch things. You know, it’s like sports and ‘Saturday Night Live’. There aren’t a lot of places where we all come together to watch things. So, I think there are a lot of reasons why it will continue. I just don’t think it’ll be the same, because, in part, Lorne’s not doing it, but also because I can’t imagine it continuing to be as wasteful as it is. I mean, Lorne says that in the film. It’s made wastefully, but that’s because by being wasteful, you get to discover more things. He’s producing way more than he needs for a week. So, if you’re able to throw out a third of all your work every week and just pick the best two thirds, it makes it better. But it’s also kind of crazy to know you’re going to throw out a third of all your work every week. I also don’t think there’s one person to fill Lorne’s shoes, which are impossible to fill. But I think the thing about Lorne is he’s managing two different ways. He’s managing down, which is him with the writers and the cast, and all of that, which he’s great at. You hear all those stories of how he works with cast members. But the other part of his job is he’s managing up. So, dealing with the network people, and the sponsors, and affiliates, and studios, and all of that, in a way that is invisible, and is a very different skill than dealing with writers. So, you know, part of me feels like it would take at least two people to do his job.

Lorne Michaels stars in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

What is the story of ‘Lorne’?

‘Lorne’ is an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations. The documentary features exclusive footage, archival treasures, and candid interviews with the show’s most iconic cast members and writers.

Who appears in ‘Lorne’?
- Lorne Michaels as Himself
- Tina Fey as Herself
- Maya Rudolph as Herself
- John Mulaney as Himself
- Andy Samberg as Himself
- Bill Hader as Himself
- Fred Armisen as Himself
- Conan O’Brien as Himself
- Chris Rock as Himself
- Jimmy Fallon as Himself
- Seth Meyers as Himself
- Kristen Wiig as Herself
- Mike Myers as Himself
- Paul Simon as Himself
‘Lorne’ opens in theaters on April 17th.

List of Morgan Neville Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘The Cool School‘ (2008)
- ‘20 Feet from Stardom‘ (2013)
- ‘Best Of Enemies‘ (2015)
- ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?‘ (2018)
- ‘They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead‘ (2018)
- ‘Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain‘ (2021)
- ‘Mickey: The Story of a Mouse‘ (2022)
- ‘The Saint of Second Chances‘ (2023)
- ‘STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces‘ (2024)
- ‘Piece By Piece‘ (2024)
- ‘Breakdown: 1975‘ (2025)
- ‘Man on the Run‘ (2026)
- ‘Lorne‘ (2026)
Buy Tickets: ‘Lorne’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Morgan Neville Movies on Amazon
April 17, 2026
Movie Review: ‘Lorne’
Lorne Michaels stars in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on April 17th is the new documentary ‘Lorne’, which was directed by Morgan Neville (‘Man on the Run’) and chronicles the life and career of ‘Saturday Night Live’ creator Lorne Michaels.
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Related Article: Morgan Neville Talks Paul McCartney Documentary ‘Man on the Run’

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins and Lorne Michaels in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All rights reserved.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville accomplishes the near impossible by capturing the illusive Lorne Michaels in the new film ‘Lorne’. The documentary, which is very funny, is almost an ‘SNL’ parody of celebrity biopics with pitch perfect narration from alum Chris Parnell and TV Funhouse style animation.

Neville was given unprecedented behind the scenes access to Michaels and ‘Saturday Night Live’ and lifts the curtain to show how the sausage is really made. With interviews from ‘SNL’ alum like Tina Fey, John Mulaney, Kristen Wiig and Mike Myers, the movie explores Michaels’ career, the history of the show, and how ‘SNL’ is really made.

Story and Direction

‘Saturday Night Live’s Studio 8H. Photo: NBC.

Director Morgan Neville is no stranger to documenting famous people, as his last film, ‘Man on the Run’ was centered on Paul McCartney. But the opening scene of ‘Lorne’ makes one think that Neville has finally met his match in Lorne Michaels. The ‘SNL’ creator seems surprised and annoyed that he even agreed to having a documentary crew follow him around, and virtually disappears once the movie begins.

This forces Neville to pivot quickly and results in a movie that is closer to an ‘SNL’ parody of a documentary, which makes for a very funny movie. Some of the techniques that Neville uses to offset the loss of his subject include focusing on interviews with ‘SNL’ cast and alum instead and incorporating cartoons and narration. Those choices, whether out of desperation or not, transform the film from a standard celebrity documentary to a truly funny and entertaining experience on its own terms.

But despite his best efforts, the film eventually does breakdown Michaels’ defenses and gives an honest and in-depth look behind the curtain at the man that created a comedic industry. In fact, Neville’s access to ‘Saturday Night Live’ was astounding and gives a rare never-before-seen look at exactly how the show is really made with glimpses into the writer’s room, pitch meetings, guest meetings, rehearsals, and finally choosing the sketches for that episode.
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In addition to chronicling how the show is made week to week, the film also goes through Michaels’ personal history, the beginnings of his career, how he created the show, ‘SNL’s ups and downs including his exit in 1980, his return in 1985, almost losing the show in the 90s, and the various cast changes, as well as his film career, which includes writing ‘Three Amigos’ and producing ‘Wayne’s World’.

Morgan Neville is the best documentarian working today and has made some of the finest documentaries in recent years including the Oscar winning ‘20 Feet from Stardom’, ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’, and ‘Man on the Run’. But ‘Lorne’ might be his best work yet, cracking the code on one of the most important figures in entertainment history.

Celebrity Interviews

John Mulaney and Tina Fey at Netflix’s Next on Netflix event. Photo: Netflix.

While reluctant at first, Lorne Michaels does eventually sit down for several interviews and is surprisingly open, despite his reputation for being guarded. However, his insight into his past and the inner workings of the show are delivered cryptically and in a very Lorne Michaels way. But we do get a rare look at his lakeside hideaway retreat in an undisclosed area of Maine, as well as his rigorous late-night schedule.

You really come to understand that Michaels is a creature of habit, basically living the same schedule for fifty years, even eating at the same handful of New York restaurants and ordering the same meals for decades. People often wonder why ‘SNL’ has such a strange schedule, working late into the night and into the early morning most days. It’s because of Lorne, that’s his schedule, the show just adopted it.

Neville assembles a fantastic group of Lorne’s friends and former ‘SNL’ cast members including Steve Martin, Paul Simon, John Mulaney, Tina Fey, Conan O’Brien, Seth Meyers, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, and Mike Myers.

John Mulaney had the most insight about Lorne, while Tina Fey acted like she didn’t really know him at all. But the most fascinating exchange was watching an intimate dinner between Michaels and friend Steve Martin.

My one critique is I do wish Neville had interviewed more of the earlier cast members, as there seemed to be a focus on only cast members from the last 25 years. Where was Chevy Chase and Bill Murray? Where was Dana Carvey and Adam Sandler? What about Will Ferrell? But this may just be a result of who was available and not by design.

Final Thoughts

Lorne Michaels stars in director Morgan Neville’s documentary ‘Lorne’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

‘Lorne’ is a brilliant documentary that delivers a rare look at an almost mythic figure in popular culture and gives true insight without damaging the myth. At the same time, for fans of ‘Saturday Night Live’ or comedy in general, the movie is a must see that really dissects how the series became an institution and why it is still going strong after fifty years.

‘Lorne’ receives a score of 90 out of 100.

‘Lorne’ opens in theaters on April 17th.

What is the story of ‘Lorne’?

‘Lorne’ is an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations. The documentary features exclusive footage, archival treasures, and candid interviews with the show’s most iconic cast members and writers.

Who appears in ‘Lorne’?
- Lorne Michaels as Himself
- Tina Fey as Herself
- Maya Rudolph as Herself
- John Mulaney as Himself
- Andy Samberg as Himself
- Bill Hader as Himself
- Fred Armisen as Himself
- Conan O’Brien as Himself
- Chris Rock as Himself
- Jimmy Fallon as Himself
- Seth Meyers as Himself
- Kristen Wiig as Herself
- Mike Myers as Himself
- Steve Martin as Himself
- Paul Simon as Himself
‘Lorne’ director Morgan Neville.

List of Morgan Neville Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘The Cool School‘ (2008)
- ‘20 Feet from Stardom‘ (2013)
- ‘Best Of Enemies‘ (2015)
- ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?‘ (2018)
- ‘They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead‘ (2018)
- ‘Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain‘ (2021)
- ‘Mickey: The Story of a Mouse‘ (2022)
- ‘The Saint of Second Chances‘ (2023)
- ‘STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces‘ (2024)
- ‘Piece By Piece‘ (2024)
- ‘Breakdown: 1975‘ (2025)
- ‘Man on the Run‘ (2026)
- ‘Lorne‘ (2026)
Buy Tickets: ‘Lorne’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Morgan Neville Movies on Amazon
April 15, 2026
Zendaya Joins the Cast of ‘Shrek 5’
(Left) Zendaya attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios. (Right) (L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- Zendaya is part of the cast for ‘Shrek 5.’
- She’ll play the daughter of Shrek and Fiona.
- Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon are directing the new movie.
Are we about to get another viral video along the lines of Gabriel Gundacker’s ‘Zendaya is Meechee’?

Given that the ‘Dune,’ ‘Challengers’ and ‘Euphoria’ star is set to follow her voice role in 2018’s ‘Smallfoot’ with another DreamWorks Animation title, we might just.

But in this case, she’s aboard the crown jewel of the company’s portfolio, the latest installment of the ‘Shrek’ franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that the superstar has taken the role of main characters Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) daughter.

DreamWorks Animation and Universal confirmed the news in a new YouTube video…

The video also serves to lock down that Myers and Diaz are definitely back for this one, and we’ve already heard from Eddie Murphy on his confirmed return.

Here’s what Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

DreamWorks didn’t mention the Donkey movie, but there’s still a chance we’ll see that.

Related Article: Every Zendaya Movie, Ranked!

What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

The ‘Shrek’ franchise launched with the Oscar-winning 2001 movie that centered on Myers’ ogre, Shrek, who falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre. Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.

In addition to the main Shrek movies, it also spawned two ‘Puss in Boots‘ spinoffs, starring Antonio Banderas, which all propelled the franchise to becoming the second biggest in animation history, with $2.9 billion globally.

While the exact plotline for the new movie has yet to be revealed, there have been hints on how it’ll continue the story of the central ogre family and their various friends.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.
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We’ve seen various developments in Shrek’s life –– he and Fiona have a family (and Donkey has kids with his dragon partner), so perhaps we’ll be checking back in with their kids for a new story?

It could also potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’.

And as is usual for this franchise, there will no doubt be riffs on pop culture and fantasy tales.

This is what producer Meledandri told Variety last year of developing the next ‘Shrek’:

“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements. And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”

Who is making ‘Shrek 5’?

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon are directing, along with ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ co-director Brad Ableson.

Dohrn started his run on the franchise as a writer on ‘Shrek 2’ and ‘Shrek the Third,’ and as head of story on ‘Shrek Forever After,’ a film in which he voiced Rumpelstiltskin.

Vernon directed ‘Shrek 2,’ ‘Madagascar 2’ and voices Gingerbread Man (aka “Gingy”).

What else does Zendaya have on her schedule?

(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

She is, as ever, a much in-demand actor.

Last year alone, Zendaya was seen in tennis love-triangle ‘Challengers’ and ‘Dune: Part Two,’ which featured less sports drama, but did also end up with its own love triangle (between Zendaya’s Chani, Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan… which, admittedly, is more of a power triangle).

Next up for Zendaya is Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ which has just started shooting and stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and approximately half of Hollywood.

She’ll also reportedly (though it has yet to be officially confirmed) be back as MJ in the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie, which will also see Holland reprising his lead role as Peter Parker in the latest outing for the Marvel character, to be directed this time by Destin Daniel Cretton.

Those two giant movies are due in 2026, but she’s also worked on Kristoffer Borgli’s romantic movie ‘The Drama’ alongside Robert Pattinson. That doesn’t have a confirmed release date, but should be on screens this year.

Meanwhile, there is her much-anticipated return to HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ which has finally started shooting its third season and looks likely to be on screens next year.

When will ‘Shrek 5’ be in theaters?

The movie has a December 23rd, 2026, release date from Universal and DreamWorks, and is the first in the main series since 2010’s ‘Shrek Forever After.’

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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February 28, 2025
DreamWorks Officially Announces ‘Shrek 5’ for 2026 Release
(L to R) Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek (Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- DreamWorks Animation has set the fifth ‘Shrek’ entry for 2026.
- Voice stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all returning.
- No story details have been released.
While on his ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ press tour, Eddie Murphy mentioned that he’d been recording voice work for a new entry in the ‘Shrek’ franchise, in which he plays Donkey (more on that below).

That might not count as official confirmation for the next ‘Shrek’ movie, but we have some now, via DreamWorks Animation on social media:

Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu

— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024

The tweet confirms that stars Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz will indeed return as Shrek and Fiona alongside Murphy.

It’s hardly surprising that the company would return to the ‘Shrek’ universe –– after all, it has earned more than $2.9 billion between the main entries and various spin-offs, including the ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. And added to that, a whole truckload of merchandise and various opportunities such as a Broadway musical, a touring show and theme park attractions.
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What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.

We’ve seen various developments in Shrek’s life –– he and Fiona have a family (and Donkey has kids with his dragon partner), so perhaps we’ll be checking back in with their kids for a new story?

It could also potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘The Last Wish’.

And as is usual for this franchise, there will no doubt be riffs on pop culture and fantasy tales.

This is what producer Chris Meledandri told Variety last year of developing the next ‘Shrek’:

“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements. And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”

Related Article: Eddie Murphy Talks ‘Shrek 5’ and a Donkey Spin-Off Movie

What did Eddie Murphy say about ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Here’s what Eddie Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

DreamWorks didn’t mention the Donkey movie, but there’s still a chance we’ll see that.

When will we see a fifth ‘Shrek’ movie on screen?

As DreamWorks’ tweet mentions, the movie is now scheduled to hit theaters on July 1st, 2026. So we have less than two years to wait for Shrek and the gang to return.

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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July 10, 2024
Eddie Murphy Says ‘Shrek 5’ is Under Way
(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- Eddie Murphy is talking about the future of the ‘Shrek’ movies.
- He says he’s already recorded some of his dialogue for a fifth ‘Shrek’ outing.
- Murphy also drops mention of a spin-off focused on his Donkey character.
We’ve known for a while that DreamWorks Animation –– never ones to let a franchise opportunity go to waste –– is developing a new installment of the ‘Shrek’ story, and now we have an update from one of the people who makes the movies what they are: actor Eddie Murphy, who provides the voice for fan-favorite character Donkey.

Murphy, who has been on the press tour for the return of one of his other big franchises –– ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ –– talked about what he knows so far.
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What did Eddie Murphy say about ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix ©2023.

Here’s what Eddie Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

Keeping the Shrek-verse expanding makes sense, as DreamWorks has seen big success with TV spin-offs and movies about other characters such as Puss In Boots –– whose most recent outing hit big with 2022’s ‘The Last Wish’, which scored $485.2 million globally.

Donkey, of course, is usually one of the more entertaining characters.

Related Article: The 30 Best Eddie Murphy Movies of All Time!

Who else is part of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

While Murphy’s comments clearly confirm that he’s aboard, there hasn’t been clarification on the presence of fellow lead voice actors Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, though you’ve got to assume that DreamWorks has handed out big paydays so that they return.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.

We’ll learn more in due course –– surely a teaser will be on the way before too long, or at least some official announcement.

What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek 2’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

There are no plot details for the new Shrek outing yet, though it could potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘The Last Wish’.

When will we see a fifth ‘Shrek’ movie on screen?

DreamWorks Animation has yet to confirm a release date. But if Murphy’s comment holds true, we could be visiting with Shrek and the gang next year.

(L to R) Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek the Third’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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June 26, 2024
Movie Review: ‘Amsterdam’

(L to R) Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington in director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

Opening in theaters on October 7th, ‘Amsterdam’ reveals David O. Russell’s talent for attracting quality actors, but also comes across as his weakest script and resulting movie in quite some time.

‘Amsterdam’ certainly doesn’t lack for either star power or quality character actors: around a central trio of Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington, Russell has built an ensemble that includes Robert De Niro, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Ed Begley Jr. and Taylor Swift.

It’s the sort of cast that most filmmakers would sell their grandmothers to acquire, but unfortunately it’s a lot of impressive people in service of an underbaked narrative that is more about quirks and screwball comedy – until it isn’t.

Bale plays Burt Berendsen, an idiosyncratic doctor with a glass eye and a complicated back brace who works to help World War I veterans like himself to feel whole again with prosthetics and other techniques.

(L-R): Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

John David Washington is Harold, Burt’s lawyer, but also his old war friend, who served with him in an integrated unit commanded by Ed Begley Jr. Immediately following the conflict Harold and Burt spent a few years in a bohemian throuple with a nurse named Valerie (Robbie), who also happened to be a rebellious trust fund hipster.

The three spent their time in an artists’ loft in Amsterdam, living, loving and, in Valerie’s case, making art. But it didn’t last once they returned home.

When Begley Jr.’s general dies – suspiciously, according to his daughter, played by Swift (who, yes, has the chance to sing briefly) – Burt and Harold are thrown into investigating what really happened to the military man. And that, in turn, brings them into contact with the likes of Saldana’s heroic nurse and a much wider conspiracy and fully reconnects them with Valerie.

Before too long, Burt and Harold are framed for a crime themselves, and must work to clear their own names. That mission leads to them meeting De Niro’s hero general, a friend of Begley Jr.’s. He’s the pawn in the bigger plot, but comes to play a much important part, even if it is late in the film.

Robert De Niro in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

With a seemingly compelling set-up, you might think that the movie would roll along merrily, bringing opportunities for slapstick humor, twists and turns. And it does – but there’s very little that is merry about this mess.

A big problem is one of clashing tones, even within the main cast. While Bale (never one to pass up the chance to throw himself into an odd character, shed some weight and adopt a make-up prosthetic) and Robbie go full tilt with their quirky personas, Washington appears to have been dropped in from another film all together. He puts the “dead” into “deadpan”.

Yes, people are not one type, yes, different personalities can work when portrayed on screen, but here it simply doesn’t blend, the oil/water combo leading to an awkward, distracting experience that clouds any possible benefit from the story.

It’s such a frustrating experience, putting weirdness and silliness before narrative.

As he weaves his mystery story, Russell loads up the movie with more and more side characters and only barely manages to make them all connect.

(L-R): Christian Bale and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Though the writer/director clearly has a lot on his mind – personal freedom vs. responsibility, the joy of expression through art, life in the interwar period and the necessity of standing up to fascism – but it’s all mashed together into an ungainly stew of messages and madness.

That final topic, the seemingly endless struggle against the forces of racist totalitarianism and power-hungry elites, is so watered down by everything that has come before that it lacks any real punch. It’s not so much a well-crafted allegory for life than it is a lesson driven home with all the subtlety of a carpenter using the world’s heaviest hammer.

The cast does their best to keep it all afloat – Bale commits, of course, and Robbie brings her considerable charm to bear on the role of Valerie. All that really serves to do, though, is push Washington further into the background, a waste of his own considerable (if straight arrow) charisma.

Others, such as Malik and Taylor-Joy barely get a chance to register, though there are a few who push through the noise, such as Alessandro Nivola as the confused, angry Detective Hiltz or Rock, who finds the funny in every line he’s given (his reaction upon discovering that Bale and Washington are looking to move a dead body is a fine example). Many are less real human beings and more collections of tics, such as Myers and Shannon as government agents.

(L-R): Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

In the movie’s defense, there are some typically superb examples of production and costume design, while cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki brings light and life to the whole thing. Russell and his editor Jay Cassidy try to keep the whole thing together, but the whole is most certainly less than the sum of its parts.

But if Russell was intending to blend farce with fact (a title card at the start announces that “some of this actually happened, which feels more like a lazy stab at meaning than a commitment to anything real), he’s way off with this one.

Coming from the director of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Three Kings’ and ‘The Fighter’, it has the feeling of a filmmaker who never wants to be pigeonholed into one particular style or genre, but has this time settled for madcap and serious all at once. It doesn’t work.

‘Amsterdam’ is proof that even the highest wattage of star power can’t always supply the energy that a film needs. Especially once as poorly conceived and structured as this one.

‘Amsterdam’ receives 2.5 out of 5 stars.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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October 8, 2022
‘Amsterdam’ Interview: Christian Bale Talks New Movie

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Opening in theaters on October 7th is the third movie from Oscar-nominated director David O. Russell and Oscar-winning actor Christian Bale following ‘The Fighter’ and ‘American Hustle,’ entitled ‘Amsterdam.’

Set in the 1930’s, the new movie stars Bale as Burt Berendsen, a doctor with a prosthetic eye, who along with his friends Harold Woodsman (John David Washington), a lawyer, and Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie), a nurse, become the prime suspects in the murder of US Senator Bill Meekins (Ed Begley Jr.).

In addition to Bale, Robbie, and Washington, the movie also features an all-star cast that includes Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Andrea Riseborough, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alessandro Nivola, Rami Malek, Taylor Swift, and Robert De Niro.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian Bale about his work on ‘Amsterdam,’ why he likes collaborating with filmmaker David O. Russell, how he creates a character, and what ‘Amsterdam’ means to him.

(L to R) Christian Bale and his wife, Sibi Blažić at the Los Angeles premiere of director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’

You can read the full interview below or click on the player above to watch a video of our interview with Christian Bale about ‘Amsterdam.’

Moviefone: To begin with, this is your third film with director David O. Russell, what is it about working with David that brings out the best in your performances?

Christian Bale: He’s a real circular thinker and I love the way that he does think. He doesn’t forget a thing. He’s very passionate about what he does. We just have a good dynamic. I think it’s a good yin and yang. We complement each other. On this one we decided to get much more involved than any other previous project. We started putting this together, it was five, six years ago, and just building it right from nothing. I just enjoy working with him so much, and it’s always fun.

You never know exactly what’s going to happen on the day. I wouldn’t call it improvisation so much, as he just likes you to know the character so much that he can chuck out different ideas. Sometimes I’d riff, but most of the time he’s chucking out lines or kicking me in the leg or something. It’s just something that creates a very lively, colorful, beautiful but unpolished look at humanity. He loves people. He loves people and characters and so do I, so telling stories with him is just a joy.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

MF: Where does the creation of a character begin for you? Is it in the voice? Is it the hair, the facial hair, the accent? What is it?

CB: I don’t know what I do. I don’t have any particular way of doing it. I make it up each time with every job. I begin each job going, “Oh my God, someone hired me again.” I don’t even know what I’m doing. I never really trained, so I don’t really have a particular technique. People often say, “Oh, Bale, he’s a method actor.” I’m not a method actor. I would’ve had to train to do that. I just do whatever is necessary for each and every day.

But gradually all the bits and pieces come together. I don’t have a particular order. But, of course you’ve got the history, the mannerisms, the voice, the body language and the walk, and when you prep something as much as David and I did on this, that was what was great. David would suggest storylines and then ask me, “What do you think Burt would do with that?” I knew it well enough by that point that I’d be able to help him out. It really gives you a nice sense of freedom, of total ownership when you’re making the film.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

MF: Finally, in the movie, Amsterdam is a very important place for the characters. Where is your Amsterdam?

CB: Well, I mean, obviously in the film, Amsterdam is the halcyon days for these people, when life is as it is meant to be, and how they dreamed it to be, and what they’re striving for life to become like. For me it’s any moment when you’re totally dedicated to what you’re doing.

That’s when you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that you can’t think of anything else. I get that kick out of acting. When I was allowed to before accidents, I used to get that out of motorcycles and racing them and stuff. I get that kick out of my family as well.

Christian Bale stars in director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’
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October 3, 2022
Christian Bale Stars in First Trailer for David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam’

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David O. Russell is a man who can certainly attract eclectic, impressive ensembles for his movies – and his latest, ‘Amsterdam’, is no exception. When Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington are just the tip of the casting iceberg, you know you’re in for an acting treat.

Described as a ‘romantic crime epic’, Russell’s first film since 2015’s ‘Joy’ is a blend of fact and fiction as three close friends find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.

Bale, Robbie and Washington are those three friends, a doctor, a nurse and an attorney who meet in Belgium and form a strong bond. When they witness a murder, Bale’s Burt is accused of the crime and will need help from his buddies and others to clear his name. Beyond that, the story is mostly a mystery, though largely seems to be an excuse for Russell – who wrote the script as well as directing – to indulge in some quirky caper goodness.

It kicks off with the central trio wheeling a dead guy into a funeral home. “You have a dead white man in a box,” Chris Rock’s character says at the start of the trailer. “Not even a casket. It doesn’t even have a top on it.” As he wheels the container away, he laments: “Who do you think is going to get in trouble here?”

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The trio sets out to find someone, anyone (starting with Robert De Niro’s character, a friend of the victim who was killed “because of something monstrous he had seen”) to help them uncover the truth. Along the way, there are encounters with all sorts of odd characters and a quick-acting version of infamous painkiller morphine.

There are shades of TV’s ‘Fargo’ here (not least thanks to the presence of Rock, who starred in the show’s most recent season), but the big appeal is in the astonishingly stacked cast that the director has rounded up.

Bale, of course, is a repeat Russell collaborator, having appeared in ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Fighter’, though he’s trumped by De Niro, who marks his fourth role in a movie for the director.

Alongside the veterans, there is a batch of actors who make their Russell debuts for the sprawling ensemble of ‘Amsterdam’. Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matthias Schoenaerts, Timothy Olyphant, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Zoe Saldaña, Rami Malek and even Taylor Swift showed up for this one (we’re hoping the latter had a good time shooting the movie, or there will be a very critical, well-written song in Russell’s future).

‘Amsterdam’ will make its way into theaters on November 4th.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Zoe Saldana in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Robert De Niro in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Christian Bale and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

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July 6, 2022
Penelope Spheeris Talks ‘Wayne’s World’

‘Wayne’s World’ director Penelope Spheeris

“We’re not worthy!”

The groundbreaking 1992 comedy ‘Wayne’s World,’ which was based on the popular Saturday Night Live sketch and released a Limited-Edition Blu-ray Steelbook on February 1st, celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the movie stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as their SNL characters Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, respectively, and follows them and their friends as they produce a public-access cable show in Aurora, Illinois. The cast also includes Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Lara Flynn Boyle, Chris Farley, Ed O’Neill, Meat Loaf, and Alice Cooper.

Spheeris began her career in the late 60’s producing and directing Richard Pryor’s unreleased film, ‘Uncle Tom’s Fairy Tales,’ before producing Albert Brooks’ ‘Real Life’ in 1979. In the 1980s, she directed the seminal rock ‘n roll documentaries ‘The Decline of Western Civilization’ and ‘The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years,’ and eventually 1998’s ‘The Decline of Western Civilization Part III.’ But it was ‘Wayne’s World’ that finally allowed the talented filmmaker to merge her passion for comedy and music into the same film.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Penelope Spheeris about the 30th anniversary of ‘Wayne’s World.’ She discussed how her previous work prepared her to direct the movie, working with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” scene, Alice Cooper’s special request, casting the late great Meat Loaf, and more.
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You can read the full interview below or watch a video of the interview above.

Moviefone: As a filmmaker, what is it like for you to see that ‘Wayne’s World’ is still as beloved and relevant today as it was when it was first released 30 years ago?

Penelope Spheeris: It’s actually kind of indescribable how it feels. I wish I had good words to describe how I feel that 30 years later people care about the movie and love the movie as much as they do. I feel really, really lucky for that. And really grateful that I was there at the right time, in the right place and with the right people. But honestly, I don’t like to wallow in the glory of anything, but it’s just astonishing that people still care about this movie.

MF: You can you take us back 30 years and talk about how you became the director of ‘Wayne’s World?’

PS: My agent sent me the script and said, “They’re looking for a director for this Saturday Night Live skit, and it’s over at Paramount”. I was like, “You mean I might be able to get my foot in the studio door? That would be cool.” So, I read the script and then I had to go to five different meetings. Then I had to meet with Mike, and then I had to jump through a hoop and balance a beach ball on my nose, and crawl on my belly like a reptile.

I had to do all those things. A lot of times it was like, “Man, this is like a lot of cross examination to get the gig.” A couple of times I remember walking off the lot thinking, “You know what? I don’t care. I can’t handle this”. Then I kept going back and I’m sure glad I did.

MF: Considering your history working with comedians like Richard Pryor and Albert Brooks, and your work directing the ‘Decline of Western Civilization’ documentaries, it seems like you were uniquely qualified to direct ‘Wayne’s World,’ because you already had experience with both comedy and rock ‘n roll.

How did your past experience as a producer and documentary filmmaker prepare you to direct this movie?

PS: Well, that’s a brilliant observation. Even I haven’t thought of that. Thank you. I was prepared comically, and I was prepared musically. I guess it’s just some cosmic coming together of the right things at the right time. I had no idea that I was going to be involved with a movie that has lasted this long and people love so much. None of us thought, “Oh, well, we’re going to make this big hip movie and get rich and famous. And everybody will be dressing up their babies like Wayne and Garth for 30 years.” None of us thought that.

We just thought, “Geez, we could make this little movie, and maybe we’ll get it in a few theaters, and maybe I’ll get another gig in Hollywood.” So, I always tell people, young filmmakers, it’s like stop with the rich and famous already, just go do the work. That’s what we were doing back then.

MF: Since they created the characters on television, I would imagine Mike Myers and Dana Carvey came to set knowing exactly who Wayne and Garth are, which is something that doesn’t always happen with actors when you are making a movie.

What was that like for you directing them and getting the performances that you needed for the film?

PS: It was a total luck out, and good pleasure. I’ll be honest with you, because as a director, if you have two leads coming in with characters that they don’t know, you got a big job cut out for you, and you got to know those characters yourself. Mike and Dana already knew them.

So, I didn’t have to go crazy trying to say, “Stay in character, stay on track. That’s not what your character would say.” I didn’t have to do any of that, they knew exactly what they would do, and wear, and say. So that made it easier to be honest with you. I don’t look at it like, “Oh, I’m the director, you got to do what I say.” They knew, and I trusted them. I had to.

(L to R) Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in ‘Wayne’s World.’ ©2021 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.

MF: The movie will forever be connected to the band Queen, and vice versa, because of the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” sequence. Can you talk about the process of shooting that scene?

PS: Well, I mean, when we shot it, and we didn’t think, “Oh, people are going to be looking at this and loving it for so many decades.” We didn’t think that. I knew that it would be a good title sequence, because I had shot a similar scene in the movie I did called ‘Dudes,’ where Flea and John Cryer were banging their heads in a Volkswagen driving across the desert.

So, I knew that that was a fun thing to be doing. But yeah, Mike had written “Bohemian Rhapsody” into the first draft. So, as much as people might want to give me credit for picking the song, I did not pick the song, it was Mike. I chose to shoot it the way I did, but he is the one that was smart enough to pick that song. What can I tell you, James Corden owes me a couple bucks!

MF: Is it true that the studio fought you on the song choice and didn’t want you to use ‘Bohemian Rhapsody?”

PS: No! Thank you for asking it because I’d like to set the record straight. The studio never challenged us on the use of the song. (Producer) Lorne Michaels never wanted to have Guns N’ Roses in the movie. I never wanted to have Guns N’ Roses in the movie, because they had just bailed out on me when I did the ‘The Metal Years.’

So, I definitely wouldn’t want to license their song if they crapped out on me at the last minute when I did ‘The Metal Years’. So, this whole thing about somebody wanting to use Guns N’ Roses is not true. I just want to put that on the table, and they could fight me to the death on that one because I know.

MF: But there was an issue with Alice Cooper only wanting to play a new song and not one of his classics in the movie, is that true?

PS: That’s very smart of you, and here’s the thing. Having worked with bands forever, most of them don’t want to do their old music, they want to promote their new music. I understand that, because they want to be themselves, and they want to do their new material. I couldn’t argue with Alice, because there was no time to argue. It was like, “Okay, we got to shoot this scene at the amphitheater, it’s booked, and it costs a lot of money. So, let’s get the band over there and set up the stage, and do it”.

I wasn’t in love with the song at the time. It’s a goofy title. But Alice is a prince, and we threw three pages of dialogue at him, on the day he came in. He didn’t even have a night to look at it. To this day even he says that he can’t believe he remembered all that dialogue. We had to write these signs, we had to write prompter signs. We had people writing on them, so he could remember the lines. But he did it, and he looked perfectly natural doing it.

MF: Finally, you cast Meat Loaf in the movie, who unfortunately just passed. What are your memories of working with Meat Loaf?

PS: It’s very tragic, of course, that Meat Loaf has gone, and very unexpected. He was way too young to go. He and I were very, very good friends during the 1980’s when we would party at the Rainbow Bar, The Roxy, and Whiskey a Go Go. I have very fond memories of hanging out with him. And if anybody doesn’t mind, I’ll take the credit for casting him in that sweet role.

The ‘Wayne’s World’ Limited-Edition Blu-ray Steelbook was released on February 1st.
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February 14, 2022
Dana Carvey Forgives Mike Myers for Allegedly Stealing Dr. Evil Character

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Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s relationship was apparently anything but excellent for years.

In an interview on Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show on Wednesday, Carvey opened up about the rift that existed between the two “Saturday Night Live” alums and “Wayne’s World” co-stars over the fictional character Dr. Evil.

For years, he felt angry toward Myers for allegedly stealing Dr. Evil to use in the “Austin Powers” movies. Carvey claimed that he was the first “SNL” cast member to do an impression of executive producer Lorne Michaels. Myers, he said, took that and ran with it for Dr. Evil.

“The pinky thing was a made-up thing,” Carvey said of the impression. “Lorne doesn’t do that, but somehow it fit. The pinky thing, I did do.”

Myers told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 that Dr. Evil was based partially on Michaels, but also on another actor.

“The Dr. Evil voice is a little bit Lorne Michaels, there are no two ways about it, but there is a lot more Donald Pleasence in there than Lorne. Lorne has a pinky thing, but he doesn’t do it anymore,” Myers said then.

Carvey admitted he’s never confronted Myers about Dr. Evil.

“I talked about it to the therapist,” he said. “There are a lot of moments in my life I wish I was more directly straightforward.”

He added, “I’ve basically let it go.”

And it seems the relationship between the two is better, since they appeared together on stage at this year’s Oscars.

Carvey also hasn’t told Myers he forgives him. “I haven’t done that. I would like to do that on national radio,” he joked.

May 22, 2019