Honestly, if you go back and watch the Austin Powers trilogy today, the thing that hits you hardest isn't the "Yeah, baby!" or the velvet suits. It’s the sheer, palpable frustration radiating off Seth Green.
As Scott Evil, Green wasn't just playing a henchman's son. He was playing the only person in the entire cinematic universe with a working brain. Think about it. Everyone else is leaned so far into the 1960s spy tropes that they’ve lost touch with reality. Then there's Scott. He's just a guy who wants his dad to stop being a theatrical weirdo and just use a gun.
It's been decades since the first film dropped, but the Seth Green Austin Powers connection remains one of the most effective bits of comedic casting in modern history.
The "Zip It" Dynamic: More Than Just Improvisation
Most people think the famous "shushing" scene—where Dr. Evil just keeps saying "Zip it!" to Scott—was a rigid script. It wasn't. It was actually born out of a collaborative, often improvised energy between Seth Green and Mike Myers.
Green has mentioned in various interviews, even recently in 2024 and 2026 retrospectives, that he walked into the makeup trailer and saw Myers getting his head shaved. He realized then that Myers wasn't just doing a bit; he was committed.
That commitment allowed Green to play the perfect "straight man" but with a Gen-X edge. He was the "Diet Coke of evil." Just one calorie. Not evil enough.
The brilliance of Scott Evil is that he represents the audience. When Dr. Evil explains his needlessly complicated plan to drown Austin in a tank of sharks with lasers on their heads, Scott asks the question we’re all thinking: "Why don't you just kill him now?"
Dr. Evil’s response? "I have an even better idea. I'm going to place him in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic training method."
Scott’s "God, you do this every time!" isn't just a line. It’s a soul-crushing realization of a son who knows his father is a total idiot.
What Most People Get Wrong About Scott's Arc
A common misconception is that Scott Evil was just a throwaway character for Seth Green to play the "angry teen." But if you look at the progression through The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember, there's a genuine, albeit twisted, emotional arc.
- In the first film: Scott is the resentful kid forced into a family therapy session with Carrie Fisher (yes, that was her!).
- In the second film: He's fighting for his father's affection against Mini-Me, a literal clone who is "more like" Dr. Evil than Scott could ever be.
- In the third film: We finally see the "villain origin story" complete itself.
By the end of Goldmember, Scott has finally embraced the dark side. He loses the hair, dons the suit, and becomes the very thing he spent two movies mocking. It’s actually a pretty dark ending for a comedy, but Green plays the transition with a perfect blend of "I've finally arrived" and "I still hate you guys."
Why Seth Green Was the Secret Weapon
At the time, Seth Green was already becoming a household name through Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Playing Oz, the stoic werewolf, was the polar opposite of the high-energy, vocal Scott Evil. This range is what kept the Austin Powers movies grounded. Without Scott, the movies are just a series of vignettes. With him, there’s a family dynamic that gives the absurdist plot some actual stakes.
He brought a specific "young Hollywood" energy that balanced Mike Myers’ more classic Vaudeville style. It's the reason the chemistry worked. Green wasn't trying to out-funny Myers; he was trying to be the most realistic person in a room full of cartoons.
Quick Facts: The Scott Evil Files
- The Role That Almost Wasn't: Colin Quinn was originally offered the part of Scott Evil but turned it down. Quinn has since joked about the "regret" of passing on a massive franchise, but most fans agree Green's specific brand of snark was irreplaceable.
- The Carrie Fisher Connection: The therapy scene remains one of the most underrated cameos. Fisher’s deadpan delivery as the therapist trying to navigate Dr. Evil’s "childhood of being raised by a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner" is gold.
- The Improvisation: Roughly 30% to 40% of the first film was improvised. Green and Myers often found the "meat" of their scenes just by riffing on the generational gap.
The Legacy of the "Evil" Son
So, why does the Seth Green Austin Powers performance still matter in 2026?
Because the "Scott Evil" archetype has been copied a thousand times since. Every time you see a movie where a sidekick or a relative calls out the villain’s stupid logic, that’s Scott’s influence. He was the first meta-character in a blockbuster comedy who understood he was in a movie with tropes.
Beyond the comedy, Scott’s character highlights the weird tragedy of the franchise. He just wanted a dad. He got a supervillain who preferred a miniature clone of himself. That’s some heavy stuff for a movie that also features a man called Fat Bastard.
How to Re-Watch for Maximum Impact
If you’re going back for a marathon, don’t just look at the costumes. Pay attention to Seth Green’s face whenever Mike Myers is talking. The subtle eye rolls, the way he sags in his chair, and the genuine look of "I can't believe this is my life" are masterclasses in reaction acting.
Your next steps for the ultimate throwback:
- Watch the "shushing" scene again, but ignore Dr. Evil. Just watch Scott's face.
- Look for the deleted scenes from the first film, especially the extended family therapy bits. They add a lot of context to why Scott is so bitter.
- Contrast Scott with Oz from Buffy. It’s wild to see Green filming these roles almost simultaneously, showcasing a versatility that many actors never achieve.
The Austin Powers series might be a product of its time, but Scott Evil’s struggle with a "cringe" parent is timeless. Seth Green didn't just play a son; he played all of us.