Shrek, released in 2001, is an American computer-animated fantasy film that draws inspiration from William Steig’s 1990 fairy tale picture book of the same name. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson in their directorial debut, the movie features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Serving as a playful parody of various children’s fantasies, particularly animated Disney films, the story follows an ogre named Shrek (voiced by Myers). His peaceful swamp is invaded by fairy tale creatures banished there by the malevolent Lord Farquaad (voiced by Lithgow). In a bid to reclaim his land, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to bring him a queen in exchange for the deed to his swamp. Accompanied by a talkative Donkey (voiced by Murphy), Shrek encounters Princess Fiona (voiced by Diaz). As they escort Fiona to Farquaad for a forced marriage, Shrek develops feelings for the princess and uncovers a surprising secret about her.
The film rights were initially acquired by Steven Spielberg in 1991, with plans for a traditional animated adaptation. However, producer John H. Williams persuaded Spielberg to bring the project to DreamWorks upon its founding in 1994. Following the studio’s purchase of the rights in 1995, Shrek quickly entered active development under the guidance of Jeffrey Katzenberg. Originally, comedian Chris Farley had been cast as the voice of Shrek, completing a significant portion of the dialogue before his untimely passing in 1997. Mike Myers subsequently stepped in to lend his voice to the character, opting for a distinctive Scottish accent. Initially envisioned as a motion-captured production, the decision was made to switch to a fully computer-animated approach with assistance from Pacific Data Images, resulting in Shrek’s iconic look.
Shrek marked DreamWorks Animation as a formidable rival to Pixar in computer-animated feature films, grossing $484.4 million globally against a $60 million budget. It was commended for blending adult-oriented humor and themes with a storyline accessible to children. The film clinched the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and received multiple accolades, including a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie’s triumph led to the creation of sequels, holiday specials, and a spin-off, with plans for a fifth installment revived in 2016.
Shrek’s success transcended the silver screen, spurring a range of merchandise like video games, a stage musical, and a comic book adaptation. In recognition of the character’s cultural impact, Shrek was bestowed with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2010.
