Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett) is back and looking for revenge in Shrek the Third, DreamWorks Animation’s latest entry into the world of the loveable green ogre and his bride Fiona. The third film finds Prince Charming still fuming over losing Fiona to Shrek and ready to use any means necessary to take over the kingdom of Far Far Away.
The Evolution of Prince Charming: The screenwriters continuously fine tune the story and Everett’s Prince Charming was being tweaked throughout the process. “My song at the end didn’t come straight away. I wasn’t doing that. That suddenly showed up about a year ago, or six months ago I think. They evolve it all the time. They’re constantly thinking. It’s an amazing process to be involved with. I think it is like the kind of golden handshake of a career in a way because you can’t get into a Shrek movie if you want to. They only ask you to be in it. You can’t audition for a role coming up. It’s a fascinating thing. It’s a real state-of-the-art movie. Every single detail is thought out and it’s lovely to be involved with.”
The Advancements in Animation: Everett says advances in technology are definitely evident from Shrek film to Shrek film. “Oh yeah, the thing about Shrek the Third compared to - and the second one, all of them - they’ve made huge technological advances. But this one is beautiful, the way they’ve managed to do light and sunlight and evening sunlight and water - just the cliffs. It’s the most romantic one look-wise. I loved it.”
The Success of the Shrek Franchise: There’s nothing surprising about the fact audiences have gobbled up the Shrek films according to Everett. “I think they’re brilliant films. I think they’re astonishing films because they manage to be for children and adults. They manage to be charming and simple, and yet in fact they’re quite complicated and profound. I think they’re a comment on society that’s much more deep than most live-action films for adults in a way. I think they’re very tongue-in-cheek about Hollywood, about the culture of envy and ambition that we live in, to be honest. I think on every level they score, these films.”
Prince Charming as the Star of Bad Dinner Theater: Yes, that’s what Charming’s up to when we first see him in Shrek the Third. Everett thought the idea of Prince Charming being heckled by rowdy crowds while badly performing a skit based on his own adventures was a hilarious idea. “It was such a funny idea for it to be in dinner theater, very humorous, with his dressing room out on the street,” said Everett. “He’s obviously made one of the fire doors into his dressing room entrance. It’s very charming. I like it.”
Up Next – Stardust: Everett will next be seen in the fantasy film Stardust based on a book by Neil Gaiman. “Stardust is another kids movie. It’s a fairy story. It’s made by a man called Matthew Vaughn. It’s a really good film too. I’m not just saying that because I’m here. It’s a film about the real world and the parallel universe alongside the real world. It’s got Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, tons of people in it. It’s a very, very good film.”
Everett described his character in Stardust: “He’s the prince who’s about to inherit the kingdom then his brother pushes him off the side of the roof and he becomes a ghost. He’s dead for the whole movie. He’s a ghost.”
Playing a ghost required a lot of special effects work. “I’m a special effect, “revealed Everett. “And also not only am I a ghost, I’m a ghost that’s fallen on the ground in a funny way so my head’s all splattered.”
What Sets Stardust Apart: Everett offered his opinion on why he believes Stardust is a great movie. “It’s just beautifully made. The director is someone that I’ve known since he was seven, eight years old. That’s probably partly why I said I’m not just saying it because I’ve known him since he was a kid. It’s just a great story. It’s very romantic and very funny. Just when I saw it I thought, ‘Ohhh…’ It is a really, really movie. You’ll see.”
