Actor Mike Myers spilled some behind-the-scene secrets from his experience on the set of Inglourious Basterds.
In an episode of actor Rob Lowe’s podcast, Literally! With Rob Lowe, the Austin Powers star reminisced on his first conversation with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino to discuss his role in the 2009 movie.
Quentin Tarantino Called Mike Myers To Offer Him The Gig
The Canadian actor, also known for voicing Shrek in the animated DreamWorks saga of the same name, played British general Ed Fenech on Tarantino’s critically acclaimed film.
“I got a call, ‘Quentin Tarantino wants to talk to you,’” Myers told Lowe.
“And I thought it was my brother Paul. I picked it up and it was Quentin Tarantino,” he continued.
The director offered Myers the role of Gen. Fenech in his upcoming WW2 movie.
“I was like, ‘Yeah?! Of course I wanna play a British general,” Myers said, explaining he appreciated the Britishness of his character.
Mike Myers Is A Fan Of War Movies
The two were only supposed to talk for 45 minutes but ended up raving on about WW2 movies for eight hours.
“I love war movies! I wouldn’t want to actually be in a war, just like I don’t think anybody wants to be in a horror film situation, but, you know, both my parents were in WW2,” Myers said.
“My dad was in the Royal Engineers, my mom was in the Royal Air Force and it shaped who they are,” the actor added.
Myers, who described the Nazis as ‘the bad guys,’ said for him WW2 movies are so clear in the distinction between good and evil.
“So I became a WW2 aficionado,” Myers continued.
The actor explained that he was extremely fascinated by Tarantino’s creative process. Myers also said that Tarantino described his own movie as a “macaroni combat,” a Japanese-coined phrase describing the subgenre of European knockoffs of American war movies.
“I’m reading the script and I’m like, ‘Holy sh*t, they f**king kill Hitler!’” Myers said.
'Inglourious Basterds' Was Shot In Nazi Headquarters
The actor finally revealed Tarantino’s movie was actually shot in the Reich headquarters in Berlin.
“I think it’s Potsdam, it was in Berlin,” he said.
“[It was] the type of architecture that makes you feel that the state is more powerful than you,” he continued.
Myers then explained the building was taken over by the Soviet Army, but it has been rented out for movies ever since the Berlin Wall fell.
“My first day, I get there and I’m wearing my British Army uniform and I’m just thrilled,” Myers said.
“I’m in this room filled with thousands and thousands of WW2 uniforms… it’s my dream come true.”