USA: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Justin Timberlake walk the carpet at the LA premiere of "Shrek the Third"

Record ID: 218964

  • Title: USA: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Justin Timberlake walk the carpet at the LA premiere of "Shrek the Third"
  • Date: 9th May 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ANTONIO BANDERAS SAYING: "What I like most about this film is truly that we have not changed. And we have not changed in the sense that the whole crew continues to work in the same manner. And it is understood on the part of the studio and all the heads of the departments that we are going to stay with this story and probably with the same manner of filming in general. It is important that no one relaxes in this respect, that everyone keeps working as if it were the first movie."
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA4WEB3UNQFJ4TAOBZAXISMHIDH
  • Story Text: With the summer of sequels in full swing, the cast of "Shrek the Third" talk about their favourite characters -- with exes Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz able to agree on a mutual choice. At the Los Angeles premiere of "Shrek the Third," the atmosphere was as warm as could be, and not just because of the bright sun and summer-like temperatures. It was as if the veteran cast, many members of whom have worked on the series since the first film debuted in 2001, had nothing to do that could possibly be more pleasant. This instalment in the extraordinarily profitable animated franchise catches up with Shrek (Mike Myers) as he and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are facing a royal crisis: Fiona's father King Harold (John Cleese) dies suddenly, and a successor must be found. Shrek wants nothing to do with running affairs of state, so they embark upon a quest to track down Arthur, a rebellious royal relative (Justin Timberlake). Familiar friends Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) reprise their roles, and a predictable level of chaos ensues when Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) attempts to engineer a coup. "I would do Shreks as long as they called me and asked me to be part of it," Eddie Murphy said at the premiere. "It's a really easy job to do, and the movies are well received, they're done well." When asked about his co-star Justin Timberlake, Murphy was complimentary: "I thought he did a really good job. He's a talented kid, Justin Timberlake. He did a great job." Predictably, Murphy was not the only actor who proved quick to flatter a fellow castmate. Mike Myers singled out John Cleese, saying: "He's such a hero. You know, I grew up in a house with (Monty) Python and Peter Sellers and Julie Andrews, of course. It's an embarrassment of riches, I think this (film) is the best of the three."
    Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, who went through a messy break-up last year, found common ground when asked about their favourite character. "I'm still hung up on Gingerbread man," Diaz said. "He's my favourite, Gingi's my favourite, I love him, he's so funny." Timberlake echoed a similar sentiment, saying: "I'm a big Gingi fan, not only because he looks like he tastes extremely good, but he's just so darn cute."
    "Shrek the Third" is expected to be a powerful force at the box office this year. The original Shrek made 267 million dollars (USD) in North America alone, while the second film raised the bar to 441 million. Now, after the record-breaking opening of "Spider-Man 3," all eyes will be on the animated ogre to see if he can give Spidey a run for his money.
    "Shrek the Third" opens in North America on May 18.
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