Shrek 3 to Open May 18, 2007

For better or for worse, Shrek 3 will open May 18. Shrek-mania is obviously not dead; "Shrek the Halls" will air on ABC this upcoming holiday season, and "Shrek: the Musical" may also become a reality.

Shrek 3, a DreamWorks production, will pick up where Shrek 2 left off. Although Shrek married a princess, he does not want to rule Far Far Away. When King Harold suddenly dies, Shrek is next in line to rule unless he finds a replacement. Fortunately, Fiona has a long lost cousin who could rule, so Shrek sets out to find them. While he's gone, Prince Charming comes back into the picture and apparently can't resist stirring things up.

There will at least be a sense of consistency with this movie - the regular cast is returning, including Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, and Julie Andrews. New to the Shrek franchise is Justin Timberlake, who will voice Artie, Fiona's long lost cousin. And of course Shrek 3 will be computer animated as the first two films were.

As if this film, a holiday special planned for this coming winter, and a possible musical aren't enough, just wait. Shrek 4 has been announced and will probably be released in 2010. Murphy, Diaz, Myers and Antonio Banderas are slated to return for this flick as well. The fourth installment will follow Shrek as he continues living in Far Far Away.

A spin-off, "Puss in Boots" has also been announced and will also be released in 2010. It has also been announced Banderas will return to voice his character in this film as well. Puss in Boots is expected to go into production after Shrek 4. Specific plot lines for both 2010 films have not been announced.

All these sequels and spin-offs may seem like overkill. But after Shrek 2 earned the biggest opening for an animated film, earning more than Finding Nemo's $70.2 million opening, the move doesn't seem so surprising. Shrek 2 also played in over 4,000 U.S. theatres.

Those who loved Shrek and Shrek 2, but didn't want the story to end don't have to worry. The third installment opens in just under a month, and with plans for a fourth as well as a spin-off, the tale of Shrek may never end. Let's just hope the Shrek line doesn't become like "The Land Before Time", which after 12 installments, apparently really won't ever die.