Mike Myers "Shrek the Third" Interview with Kam Williams

by Kam Williams

Mike at the Mike

Born in Ontario, Canada on May 25, 1963, Mike Myers first made a splash in the States in 1989 when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. The chameleon-like comic created a number of memorable characters on the show, including Linda Richman, Dieter, Simon, Stuart Rankin, Pat Arnold, and most notably, wacky Wayne Campbell, who he would spin off into the hit flicks Wayne's World 1 and 2.

He's also played other unforgettable screen icons, such as Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, Gold Member, The Cat in the Hat, and Shrek. Despite being known as a brilliant improviser, the ordinarily loquacious funnyman was mute after being caught off guard standing next to Kanye West when the hip-hop star ignored the teleprompter to say "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during an unforgettable moment on a nationally-televised fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina. (See a video clip at http://media.putfile.com/Kanye79 )

Here, Myers talks about reprising his role as Shrek opposite Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz for the third installment of the animated franchise.

KW: What is Shrek the Third about?

MM: Shrek is being asked to be the king, and he doesn't think that ogres make good kings. And at the same time, he has a secret surprise at his home, and he doesn't feel worthy of that either. He's still feels that he's an ogre, and that ogres can't do certain things in the world. The whole movie's about Shrek coming to understand that ogres can be a king, ogres can be a father, and ogres can be anything they want to be.

KW: Did you enjoy returning to this character?

MM: I have a good time doing Shrek. You get to be silly, and you don't have to put on makeup or a costume. Actually, part of what I love is being in that whole world with Donkey, Fiona and Puss in Boots again. I get very happy when I return to that world.

KW: How was it working with Eddie Murphy again?

MM: I'm a huge Eddie Murphy fan, but I actually don't even think of it as Eddie Murphy anymore. I just really think of him as actually Donkey, and I love doing my scenes with Donkey.

KW: What do you think of your new co-director, Chris Miller?

MM: Chris is a great guy. Super funny… Super smart… He really, really cares that this film and everything he's involved with be first-rate and cutting-edge. It's been a real joy working with him. I've really learned a lot and I was really excited by his enthusiasm and by how smart he is, and how it's important to him that all the movies and everything associated with Shrek be great. So, it's been a really, really great experience.

KW: Are there any similarities between you and Shrek?

MM: I'm actually green. It's an elaborate makeup process for me every day to cover over my natural green hue. Similarities? Well, I'm 5' 7½", though I claim 5 '8", Shrek is 7' tall, plus an ear, as they say.

KW: What do you think of the animation work this time around?

MM: The animators are real good actors, and they're really good comedians, too. So, it's sort of fun to show up at a screening and see that they've made you look so good. I'm so impressed with the whole animation team.

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