Mike Myers recounted on the almost unbelievable timing of getting offered the role of Shrek.
In a recent interview with Vulture, the actor shared the amusing and unexpected circumstances under which he was pitched the role of voicing the titular green ogre.
The opportunity came from DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who approached Myers immediately after the emotional world premiere of Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.
“I went to the premiere of Saving Private Ryan, and Jeffrey Katzenberg comes up to me afterward in the lobby and brings his daughters, who then do the dance sequence from Austin Powers,” Myers recalled.
“This was after such a heavy movie, and I was in tears because my parents were in World War II. I was shell-shocked, and then they’re doing the dance, and I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s great. Read a room!’”
Katzenberg seized the moment to ask Myers if he’d ever consider doing an animated film. Myers agreed, but when Katzenberg mentioned the project was called Shrek, the actor’s first reaction was less than enthusiastic.
“Well, that’s the worst f–king title I’ve ever heard in my life,” Myers told Katzenberg without hesitation. “It’s the sound you make after drinking too many Molson Canadians. ‘Agh! Shreck!’”
Despite his initial reaction, Katzenberg convinced Myers to give the concept a chance. “He said, ‘Just come down and see it,’” Myers shared. After previewing the idea, the actor’s perspective shifted.
“I saw it and I liked that it turned fairy tales on its head. I thought that was really, really smart,” Myers explained.
“The fairy tale is a Eurocentric form, dealing with class, right? To say, ‘Yes, we know it’s Eurocentric, but it can be more inventive and inclusive.’ And to have an African American voice in Donkey in it, I thought it was brilliant.”
Shrek ultimately became a global hit, earning widespread acclaim and cementing its place as one of the most beloved animated franchises. Myers’ portrayal of the grumpy yet endearing ogre remains one of his most iconic roles.
