Mike Myers recounted on the just about unbelievable timing of getting provided the position of Shrek.
In a latest interview with Vulture, the actor shared the amusing and sudden circumstances below which he was pitched the position of voicing the titular inexperienced ogre.
The alternative got here from DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who approached Myers instantly 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 as much as me afterward within the foyer and brings his daughters, who then do the dance sequence from Austin Powers,” Myers recalled.
“This was after such a heavy film, and I used to be in tears as a result of my mother and father had been in World War II. I used to be shell-shocked, after which they’re doing the dance, and I used to be like, ‘Yeah, that’s nice. Read a room!’”
Katzenberg seized the second to ask Myers if he’d ever think about doing an animated movie. Myers agreed, however when Katzenberg talked about the challenge was known as Shrek, the actor’s first response was lower than enthusiastic.
“Well, that’s the worst f–king title I’ve ever heard in my life,” Myers instructed Katzenberg with out hesitation. “It’s the sound you make after ingesting too many Molson Canadians. ‘Agh! Shreck!’”
Despite his preliminary response, Katzenberg satisfied Myers to present the idea an opportunity. “He stated, ‘Just come down and see it,’” Myers shared. After previewing the concept, the actor’s perspective shifted.
“I noticed it and I favored that it turned fairy tales on its head. I believed that was actually, actually sensible,” Myers defined.
“The fairy story is a Eurocentric kind, coping with class, proper? To say, ‘Yes, we all know it’s Eurocentric, however it may be extra ingenious and inclusive.’ And to have an African American voice in Donkey in it, I believed it was sensible.”
Shrek in the end turned a worldwide hit, incomes widespread acclaim and cementing its place as probably the most beloved animated franchises. Myers’ portrayal of the grumpy but endearing ogre stays one in all his most iconic roles.
