“Shrek the Third” finds its sometimes-jolly green hero (Mike Myers) struggling with responsibilities — both royal and familial. The usual cast of swamp dwellers is back, including Cameron Diaz (Fiona), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots). They chatted recently with “Shrek” rookies Amy Poehler (Snow White) and Justin Timberlake (Artie) about improvising lines for the latest film in the franchise.
Julie Andrews: They give you leeway. I’m sure you (Myers) and Eddie and everybody embroidered a bit; I embroidered the tiniest bit, but I don’t have the biggest thing to do.
Cameron Diaz: (Mocking bitterness) I’ve never had any freedom in the process, absolutely none. They’re like, “Stick. To. It.”
Amy Poehler: No way! Do you go into Dialogue Jail?
Diaz: They’re like, “What are you doing?” (Diaz laughs) and the jig is up. I get to say “Shrek” a lot. (She and Timberlake launch into the Fiona variations of “Shrek!”)
Mike Myers: Surely there’s a “Fiona” bank somewhere, where you can just go, “Give me a 27;” “Fi-o-na!”
Justin Timberlake: For “Shrek VII,” you won’t even have to show up. I did some ad-libbing that, you know
Diaz: Got cut?
Timberlake: Yeah, it definitely got cut, story of my life.
Myers: (whispers) Which one does he play?
Diaz: (whispers) Artie.
Myers: (loudly) Artie! Yeah, you were great.
Timberlake: Thank you. Naturally.
