In the next installment of our ‘Voice Of’ series, we’re diving into the wonderful world of ‘Shrek’ – the lovable green ogre from DreamWorks Animation’s groundbreaking franchise.
The heart of this iconic character is Mike Myers, the Canadian actor and comedian who has been voicing Shrek’s signature gruff charm since 2001.
Shrek Movie Background
The ‘Shrek’ movies redefine traditional fairy tales with humor, heart, and irreverence.
The story begins with ‘Shrek’ (2001), where the solitary ogre must go on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) so he can reclaim his land from the evil Lord Farquaad.
Accompanied by his loyal, very talkative companion Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy), Shrek discovers that Fiona harbors a magical secret: she turns into an ogre at night.
The film explores themes of self-acceptance and love beyond appearances, culminating in a happily-ever-after that defies expectations.
In ‘Shrek 2’ (2004), Shrek and Fiona visit her royal parents, King Harold and Queen Lillian, who struggle to accept Fiona’s choice to remain an ogre. It’s where we meet Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) the charismatic ally who helps them as the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming conspire to undo Shrek and Fiona’s marriage.
‘Shrek the Third’ (2007) and ‘Shrek Forever After’ (2010) delve deeper into Shrek’s evolving role as a leader, husband, and father, exploring themes of responsibility, identity, and gratitude.
Mike Myers: The Man Behind the Ogre
Mike Myers is a man of many talents – and accents.
Known for his role as heavy-metal-loving Wayne Campbell in ‘Wayne’s World’, multiple now-iconic characters in the ‘Austin Powers’ series, and his years on Saturday Night Live, his role as Shrek is another defining achievement of a successful career.
Initially, Shrek was supposed to be played by comedy legend Chris Farley.
Farley had actually recorded a large chunk of the dialogue before his unexpected death. DreamWorks then approached Mike Myers to take on the role – and Myers made it his in a way no one could have imagined.
Making Shrek, Scottish?
Can you imagine Shrek with a…Canadian accent? He almost had one!
However, midway through production, Myers realized his Canadian accent wasn’t quite cutting it. He made a bold decision: re-record Shrek’s lines using a Scottish accent to add humor, authenticity and an everyman appeal.
This decision wasn’t without challenges: re-recording the dialogue cost DreamWorks an additional $4 million. However, DreamWorks founder Steven Spielberg supported Myers’ vision, recognizing its potential.
The result?
Shrek’s Scottish accent became an indelible part of his identity and a defining feature of the beloved character.
Shrek: A Cultural Phenomenon
The first Shrek film debuted in 2001 to critical and commercial success, winning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and earning over $480 million at the global box office.
Myers’ performance was a big part of that success, with perfect comedic timing and a heartfelt delivery bringing depth to the ogre’s journey.
The franchise quickly expanded, with Myers reprising his role in ‘Shrek 2’, ‘Shrek the Third’, and ‘Shrek Forever After’ Together, these films have grossed more than $4 billion worldwide, making Shrek one of the highest-grossing animated franchises of all time.
Shrek’s Future
Fans of Shrek have a big reason to rejoice!
The iconic ogre is set to return in Shrek 5, which is currently in development. Myers is enthusiastic about reprising the role: he says he’s happy to keep playing Shrek for as long as audiences want him to.
As Shrek’s legacy continues to grow, one thing remains clear: Mike Myers’ voice will forever be synonymous with the lovable green ogre who taught us that beauty is more than skin deep and that even ogres can find their happily ever after.
What’s your favorite Shrek moment? Share it in the comments!
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