DreamWorks Animation announced today that the final cast for its upcoming computer-animated comedy Shrek the Third has been set.
The original casts from Shrek and Shrek 2 -- Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Julie Andrews and John Cleese -- will reprise their roles in this third chapter of the Shrek story.
Joining the cast for Shrek the Third is an all-new ensemble of actors and comedians. Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake will play the role of Fiona's rebellious teenage cousin Artie, the inimitable Eric Idle (the "Monty Python" movies and series, "Spamalot" on Broadway) will play Merlin and John Krasinski (TV's The Office) will play Lancelot. Making up a new fighting force of fairy tale princesses are: Cheri Oteri (TV's Saturday Night Live) as Sleeping Beauty, Amy Poehler (the upcoming Blades of Glory, Mean Girls) as Snow White, Maya Rudolph (A Prairie Home Companion, TV's Saturday Night Live) as Rapunzel, and Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy) as Cinderella. Ian McShane (TV's Deadwood) will play Captain Hook.
Slated for release on May 18, 2007, Shrek the Third is being directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Raman Hui. The film is being produced by Aron Warner and executive produced by Andrew Adamson and John H. Williams.
When Shrek married Princess Fiona, becoming the next King and Queen of Far, Far Away wasn't part of the plan. So when his father-in-law, King Harold, falls ill, it is up to Shrek to find a suitable heir or he will be forced to give up his beloved swamp for the throne. Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest, Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne, Fiona's rebellious cousin Artie. Back in Far, Far Away, Fiona's jilted Prince Charming storms the city with an army of fairy tale villains to seize the throne. But they have a surprise in store because Fiona, together with her mother, Queen Lillian, has drafted her fellow fairy tale heroines to defend their "happily ever afters." As Shrek, Donkey and Puss work on changing Artie from a royal pain in the you-know-what into a future king, Fiona and her band of princesses must stop Prince Charming to ensure there will be a kingdom left to rule.
