Mr. Bigglesworth hits it big

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me doesn’t open until June 11, but the psychedelic sequel is already touting a breakout star: It’s Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s extra-lean sidecat. Not only has the furless feline been named 1999’s Cat of the Year by Cats magazine, but the bald baddie, whose real name is — no joke — Mel Gibskin, is also launching his own plush doll. ”People were clamoring for Mr. Bigglesworth [products],” says Bob Friedman, cochairman of worldwide theatrical marketing for New Line, the studio releasing AP2. ”You want to love this cat, because you don’t know what to make of him.” The ”hairless” plaything will be available next month exclusively at Spencer Gifts for about $25. And it appears that the doll is just the beginning. New Line — which sent a Bigglesworth stand-in to schmooze buyers at February’s American International Toy Fair in New York City because the real cat was too busy — clearly has high marketing hopes. ”This might even spawn a line of products,” says Friedman, ”like Evil Cat Chow.”