Mike Myers said he aimed to match the commitment of comedy actors such as Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness and Monty Python performers, treating even brief appearances with the same intensity as leading roles. The approach mattered because it shaped his character-based style in films including Wayne’s World, Austin Powers and Shrek, where exaggerated personas were played seriously rather than merely for easy laughs.

Myers cited Sellers and Guinness as examples of actors who fully disappeared into roles, regardless of how much screen time they had. His principle was that an actor appearing for ten minutes should be as committed as one appearing throughout a two-hour film, reflecting the detailed preparation behind his comic performances.