Shrek is a 2001 animated film released by DreamWorks Animation (produced by Pacific Data Images) which spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs, including Puss in Boots. It tells the story of an ogre who meets a princess and, in sequels, faces threats to the larger fairytale kingdom.

Muppet Mentions

• A series of character interviews that appear in the DVD bonus features includes a question for the main character, "What's it like being green?" Shrek answers, "Well, it was Shakespeare — or was it Kermit — who said, 'It's not easy being green.' I have to disagree. I think it's very easy to be green. It's very easy to be big and green."

• The gift shop for the now-defunct Shrek 4-D attraction in Universal Studios Florida featured a display case promoting "Maps to Fairy Tale Star's Homes." One of the faux pamphlets (depicting one of the three little pigs) reads, "Visit the runt-hood home of noted Porkacist Dr. Julius Strangepork!"

• Page 16 of the Shrek 2 Gag Book includes the countdown "Top Ten Ways to Tell If Your Prince is a Frog". Listed at number two is "Kermit is his favorite actor".

• Pages 166-167 of Shrek: From the Swamp to the Screen feature "Up Close & Personal" profiles of the characters from Shrek 2. Shrek's profile lists "It's Not Easy Being Green" as his favorite song, and one of King Harold's favorite songs is "The Rainbow Connection."

References

• During an interview with The Wall Street Journal in 2011, Abby Cadabby professes her love for Sutton Foster by going to see Shrek the Musical, which Foster was appearing in at the time.^[1]

• At a press conference for The Muppets, a reporter asked Kermit if Shrek is a rival for him. Kermit's answer was "You'll have to ask him yourself. Of course, you can't!"^[2]

Connections

• Julie Andrews played Queen Lillian in the sequels
• Antonio Banderas played Puss in Boots in the sequels
• John Cleese played King Harold in the sequels
• Cameron Diaz played Princess Fiona
• Sutton Foster played Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical on Broadway
• Aymee Garcia played Mama Bear in Shrek the Musical
• Kathy Griffin played dancing witch and a wagon witch in Shrek Forever After
• Rex Grignon worked as additional supervising animator in Shrek
• Jon Hamm played Brogan in Shrek Forever After
• Tom Kane played a guard in Shrek The Third
• Larry King played Doris in the sequels
• John Krasinski played Lancelot in Shrek the Third
• John Lithgow played Lord Farquaad
• Jane Lynch played Gretched in Shrek Forever After
• Ian McShane played Captain Hook in Shrek the Third
• Eddie Murphy played Donkey
• Mike Myers played Shrek
• Regis Philbin played Mabel in Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After
• Joan Rivers played herself in Shrek 2
• Craig Robinson played Cookie in Shrek Forever After
• Maya Rudolph played Rapunzel in Shrek the Third
• Robb Sapp was a five month replacement as Pinocchio, the Magic Mirror, and puppeteered the dragon in Shrek the Musical
• Jennifer Saunders played Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2
• Kristen Schaal played pumpkin witch and palace witch in Shrek Forever After
• Amy Sedaris played Cinderella in Shrek the Third
• Roger S. H. Schulman co-wrote the screenplay for Shrek
• John Tartaglia played Pinocchio, the Magic Mirror, and puppeteered the dragon in Shrek the Musical
• Justin Timberlake played Artie in Shrek the Third
• Weezer performed "I'm a Believer" in Shrek Forever After

Sources