# In 2000, Mike Myers was “beyond honoured” to be offered a role played by his idol. He still turned it down

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-2000-mike-myers-was-beyond-honoured-to-be-offered-a-role-played-by-his-idol-he-still-turned-it-down/
- Published: 2026-11-06T03:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T04:21:46+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/mike-myers-turned-down-2000-role-idol/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Mike Myers turned down the role of Inspector Clouseau.
- He cited similarities with Austin Powers.
- Steve Martin played Clouseau in the 2006 reboot.

## Summary

Mike Myers was reportedly offered the role of Inspector Clouseau in a planned Pink Panther reboot around 2000, but declined despite being a lifelong fan of Peter Sellers, who made the character famous. He said he was “beyond honoured” but worried the bumbling detective would feel too similar to his Austin Powers character.

The role went to Steve Martin, and The Pink Panther was released in 2006 to poor reviews. The article suggests Myers may also have felt daunted by comparisons with Sellers or questioned the need for a reboot; it notes that Myers had recently completed the third Austin Powers film when he explained his decision in 2002.

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