Wayne’s Planet ranks as one particular of the funniest and most quotable comedies of the 1990s, but that does not imply it was an great expertise for everyone on set. Now, as the sequel nears its 30th anniversary, director Penelope Spheeris reflects on her clashes with star/apparent diva Mike Myers and why she wasn’t asked to return.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Penelope Spheeris pointed to the test screenings as the true point at which her connection with Mike Myers came to a head, stemming from a lack of trust in the director and the viewers. “I got fantastic audience reaction in the testing setting. That is when the crap hit the fan,” she stated. “He wasn’t there to witness the remarkable audience reaction and appear at the test cards and understand that we had one thing on our hands.” As an alternative, Myers handed more than 11 pages of notes, which Spheeris stated “sucked” for the most element.
1 alter Mike Myers attempted to force on Penelope Spheeris saw a lot of ego at play: the hilarious moment when Lara Flynn Boyle’s horrible present-providing ex Stacy runs her bike into a parked automobile and flies more than the hood, apparently mainly because it took away from Wayne and Garth. “Mike didn’t want it in there mainly because she was having the laugh, not him,..That is the way Lorne teaches his players — to usually one particular-up one particular a further.” Could the bit have been reduce? Certain, Boyle has a lot of stalker ex-girlfriend moments that we get who she is, but it does improve the hockey scene. Game on!
One more scene Myers didn’t obtain great was the now-iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” scene due to how significantly headbanging the group had to do. Of course, it went on to turn out to be the movie’s signature moment and even got the Queen classic nominated by the American Film Institute has one particular of the one hundred greatest film songs ever…But I also consider “Foxy Lady” need to have been in the operating.
At the urging of executive producer Lorne Michaels, it fell on Spheeris to inform Myers which modifications she wouldn’t make. It is right here that one particular may well take note that Spheeris didn’t direct Wayne’s Planet two, getting replaced by Stephen Surjik (Youngsters in the Hall).
Regardless of the bond that ties so numerous SNL alum — Penelope Spheeris was creating Albert Brooks shorts in the early days even though Mike Myers was cast member from 1989 to 1995 — the two under no circumstances worked with each other once more. So if Wayne’s Planet three ever occurs, you can overlook her involvement.
How do you really feel about Penelope Spheeris’ stories about Mike Myers? Did her absence from the sequel show? Do you choose the very first or second Wayne’s Planet? Let us know!