Shrek: 15 Facts About the Green Meanie

In belated disrespect to the Irish and St. Paddy’s Day, we’re celebrating the true green icon of America, the Scottish giant, Shrek. Here’s hoping if we all kind of agree, we can make Shrek a St. Paddy’s Day character for next year, like leprechauns or drunk Bostonians.
As we all know, ogres are like onions – they have layers, and they can make us cry. And just as ogres like the green man himself have layers, so does the production behind the film. Many other actors were considered for the role before Mike Myers took it, from Chris Farley to Nic Cage (we can only imagine what a glorious film a Nic Cage led Shrek would have been). Then there’s the characterization of the, well, character. Initially, Shrek was a friendly chap, but thanks to Myers’ input, he was transformed into the grumpy frog monster who just wants his swamp left alone that we all know and love today. Here are some more fun facts about Shrek.
Chris Farley was supposed to be Shrek

Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
Shrek

Source: The New York Times
Steven Spielberg

Source: WikiShrek, Screen Rant
Nic Cage was almost Shrek

Source: WikiShrek
The original Shrek was rough

Source: Screen Rant
Shrek had a full rewrite

Source: Screen Rant
There’s a secret Shrek movie

Source: IMDb
Michael Myers replaced his voice with a Scottish brogue

Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
Shrek kinda means fright or fear

Source: Wiktionary
Fiona was going to be born an ogre

Source: WikiShrek
Bill Murray was almost Shrek

Source: WikiShrek
Shrek was almost hand-drawn

Source: WikiShrek
The main antagonist was a witch named Bin Fortuna

Source: Dreamworks Animation Wiki
Shrek is based on a book by William Steig

Source: The Prindle Institute for Ethics
Farquaad is based on Disney's head Michael Eisner

Source: The A.V. Club