According to the DreamWorks press release, the cast for “Shrek the Third” will be joined by an all-new ensemble of actors and comedians.

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake will play the role of Fiona’s rebellious teenage cousin Artie, the inimitable Eric Idle (the “Monty Python” movies and series, “Spamalot” on Broadway) will play Merlin and John Krasinski (TV’s “The Office”) will play Lancelot. Making up a new fighting force of fairy tale princesses are: Cheri Oteri (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) as Sleeping Beauty, Amy Poehler (the upcoming “Blades of Glory,” “Mean Girls”) as Snow White, Maya Rudolph (“A Prairie Home Companion,” TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) as Rapunzel, and Amy Sedaris (“Strangers with Candy”) as Cinderella. Ian McShane (TV’s “Deadwood”) will play Captain Hook.

Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas will reprise their roles in the third film.

Here's the plot synopsis from DreamWorks:

When Shrek married Princess Fiona, becoming the next King and Queen of Far, Far Away wasn’t part of the plan. So when his father-in-law, King Harold, falls ill, it is up to Shrek to find a suitable heir or he will be forced to give up his beloved swamp for the throne. Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest, Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne, Fiona’s rebellious cousin Artie. Back in Far, Far Away, Fiona’s jilted Prince Charming storms the city with an army of fairy tale villains to seize the throne. But they have a surprise in store because Fiona, together with her mother, Queen Lillian, has drafted her fellow fairy tale heroines to defend their “happily ever afters.” As Shrek, Donkey and Puss work on changing Artie from a royal pain in the you-know-what into a future king, Fiona and her band of princesses must stop Prince Charming to ensure there will be a kingdom left to rule.

“Shrek the Third”, to be released on May 18, 2007, promises to be more than worth lining up for at the box office. All DreamWorks Animation SKG films are meant for a broad movie-going audience.

Cheers,

Stephanie