Dr. Evil with Austin (along with Basil Exposition and Number 2), and is angered that Austin won the "International Man of Mystery" award, while he, the academy's best student, was overlooked. In the first film, Dr. Evil is an internationally known criminal genius cryogenically frozen in 1967 and reawakened in 1997. Like Austin Powers, he faces challenges in acclimating to the new period (although he has his staff, who remained behind, to help him). He often places his little finger near his mouth, especially when excited or to emphasize a statement. Although expanded upon, this signature move may have been taken from
Dr. Evil of the character Majai, from the film "The Island of Dr. Moreau", as played by 2'4" actor Nelson de la Rosa, whose sole purpose in that film is to follow Marlon Brando's Dr. Moreau character around and copy his every move, even dressing identically to Brando in every scene. Majai never speaks in the film, and similarly, Mini-Me does not speak either. Any comparison to Herve Villechaize's "Nick-Nack" character from "The Man with the Golden Gun" is merely coincidental. In the opening few minutes of the first film, Dr. Evil has four henchmen, namely Jurgen (a doctor), Generalissimo (a dictator),