Original artwork, not a still
Know this... Austin... I am your father. / Really? / No, not really. I can't back that up.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the Empire Strikes Back twist used and then taken back within a breath. Dr. Evil borrows the most famous reveal in cinema, gets the gasp he wants, and admits he cannot back it up. The line is the quickest way to wave off a spoiler or a parody of a Star Wars scene, and a good example of the series treating other films as raw material for catchphrases.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeShow the scene
At the climax on Dr. Evil's moon base in 1969, Austin chases Dr. Evil, who is in a space suit with a helmet, and shoots him in the thigh. Dr. Evil switches on his speaker unit to shout "Ow! You shot me, you a-hole!" and, as Austin prepares to finish him, stands and drops into a deep, heavy-breathing voice: "Know this. Austin. I am your father." Austin says "Really?" and Dr. Evil returns to his own voice: "No, not really. I can't back that up." He then points out that Austin would rather kill him than save Felicity, and mentions the time portal in the main chamber.
Sources (3)
- Wikiquote: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeDr. Evil section, the speaker-unit sceneReference checked
- Springfield! Springfield!: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me scriptMoon base climax, near the end of the filmReference checked
- Austin Powers Wiki (Fandom): Dr. Evil1969 sectionReference checked
Context reviewed
