HE promised to bring sexy back to the pop charts, now Justin Timberlake – or at least an animated version of him – is taking on the big screen in the upcoming Shrek the Third. With the first two films of the blockbuster franchise having amassed $US1.5 billion worldwide, everyone’s favourite ogre will return for a third time in June 2007. When King Harold (John Cleese) falls ill he leaves the kingdom of Far, Far Away in need of a king, but his son-in-law Shrek (Mike Myers) refuses to trade in his beloved swamp for palatial surrounds. Not willing to assume royal duties, Shrek, Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) set off in search of a suitable successor to the throne. Their royal quest leads them to a high-school playground, where they meet Princess Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) cousin Artie (voiced by Timberlake), more formally known as Arthure Pendragon. Realising Artie is sorely lacking in proper palace etiquette, Shrek and his entourage subject their rebellious charge to an extreme royal makeover. Meanwhile, back in Far, Far Away, Fiona is forced to defend the kingdom against jilted suitor Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), who has banded together an army of fairytale villains to launch a coup. But the spirited princess and her mother, Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), assemble an all-girl cavalry of their own, made up of storybook favourites Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty. In addition to Timberlake, Monty Python star Eric Idle and Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler and Cheri Oteri will lend their voices to Shrek the Third. Timberlake’s addition to the celebrity-heavy cast is his most high-profile acting job to date and marks his first starring role alongside long-time girlfriend Diaz. His previous attempts to parlay his huge success as a musician into an acting career have amounted to television cameos and a role in the straight-to-video thriller Edison. Shrek’s producers have denied Timberlake’s relationship with Diaz contributed to him being cast in the film, insisting his public persona made him a perfect fit for the role.
The Dialy Telegraph
Who thinks he would’ve gotten the role if they weren’t dating?
