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Julie Andrews Interview
"Shrek 3"
by Chad Michaels
May 12, 2007


Julie Andrews, Shrek 3


Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, DBE, was born Julia Elizabeth Wells on October 1, 1935. Julie Andrews is a BAFTA, Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning actress, singer, and author. Andrews rose to prominence after starring in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, as well as musical films like Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965). Of late, she has had a major revival of her career as a result of her role in The Princess Diaries and its sequel as well as the three "Shrek" films. Recently, Andrews also made her debut as a theatre director.

Wild About Movies caught up with the Oscar winning Best Actress ("Mary Poppins") last week in Los Angeles, where she talks about reprising her role as the Queen in "Shrek 3," how the fart jokes in the Shrek films don't bother her in the least, as well as about her upcoming autobiography.

 

Wild About Movies: Julie, the role you play as the queen, is quite demanding, even though it is just your voice they recorded. It was a little more physical for you.

Julie Andrews: And I think it's great. I love it. I think the Queen really comes into her own, and I'm delighted.

Wild About Movies: When you got the call that you were coming back, is that something that you definitely said yes to?

Julie Andrews: Absolutely. No question.

Wild About Movies: You do a little bit of humming of some tunes that might be familiar.

Julie Andrews: It's funny how many people pick up on that. Really, it is. I just love the fact that she does this head butt twice and it makes her slightly delirious. I love that slight satire. It's terrific.

Wild About Movies: The thing about these animated movies is they are around forever, and twenty years from now they'll be putting out a special, special edition!

Julie Andrews: When they are done as well as Shrek is done, it's such a joy, because you know it's going to be an iconic movie.

Wild About Movies: Is that part of the appeal for being in one of these?

Julie Andrews: Well it's certainly – you're very grateful I think. The quality of this third one is superb. It's luminous and it's pretty and I'm so pleased that everybody else picked up on it. Everybody in all my interviews yesterday, they were saying, (gasping) 'It's just - who knew that digital animation could go even further than it was.'

Wild About Movies: Has the process changed at all in the three films, or is it pretty much been the same, just a repeat each time?

Julie Andrews: Well, no, the actual work process doesn't change, you go into a booth all by yourself, and you don't meet your fellow actors, which is sad. It's just the way animation is done. We do, thank God, all meet up later. Or when we travel somewhere together, we go on the flight together, or something like that.

Wild About Movies: But this being the third movie, you obviously both know your characters so well, can you suggest anything?

Julie Andrews: They are open to suggestion.

Wild About Movies: Do you believe in happily ever after or is that just a myth?

Julie Andrews: I do, I think I do, I think happily ever after probably comes from here first (pointing inside), and how much two people want to do happily ever after, depending as you say what it is. We're both so blessed. How could it not be happily ever after?

Wild About Movies: Is there any frustration after you've done the recording and you see the movie, and it all works, but you know you could have done something else to make it work better?

Julie Andrews: Well, if they're not quite satisfied with what you've done, you can go back in, or vice versa, you can say, 'I'd love to try that again if I could.' But they ask you to give so many variations on the same line. I don't know how much you did, but with mom they weren't sure with Harold and everything. And so we actually have no idea what it will be until you see it up there on the screen.

Wild About Movies: The death of the King is a really sensitive subject to have in a movie that 5 year olds are going to go see. Did they record it a lot of different ways because they weren't necessarily sure?

Julie Andrews: Well, a lot of my 'Harold's' they could have been a pleading or as – 'Harold, get yourself together, or it could have been any of those, and they chose the one that's in the movie right now. I don't remember which version that was.

Wild About Movies: Are there a lot of hidden discoveries when you see it?

Julie Andrews: Oh yes, and that's great fun. And some wonderful ah-ha moments, when you say, 'I'm so glad they did that, because it makes her character feel better.' Also in a regular movie, you are holding your character in a live action movie, you're holding your character in your head the whole time. In this particular case I think the director is holding the characters in his head, so he just keeps asking you for this, or asking you for that, and obviously knows when he's got it. And so the actual concern of where am I going and will this match with that, that part is taken away.

Wild About Movies: Who was your favorite fairytale princess?

Julie Andrews: I'm a huge ballet fan. For me, the loveliest princess is probably Sleeping Beauty because it's such a glorious ballet and she's such a nice princess. She's generous and sweet and lovely.

Wild About Movies: As a classically trained actress, do you have misgivings about being in a movie that has fart jokes?

Julie Andrews: Are you kidding? I live with a guy that writes them all the time in his movies. (She is referring to her husband, the renowned director, Blake Edwards.)

Wild About Movies: What are you working on now?

Julie Andrews: You know I have a book imprint, publishing imprint of children's books. I've been working very hard on that. I had a book just come out. No. 3. Not necessarily mine, but that I've been responsible for, coming out this year. Also, I'm working on my autobiography, which will come out next April. I'm on such a deadline. I feel slightly cross-eyed.

Wild About Movies: What's it called?

Julie Andrews: I haven't finally decided so I'm not going to tell you. I thought I had one, but then the publisher said, 'It is a good title but we'll see.

Wild About Movies: I know what it should be…

Julie Andrews: What?

Wild About Movies: My favorite things.

Julie Andrews: Aww.

Wild About Movies: Have they talked about making any of your children's books into movies?

Julie Andrews: Yes. There's a lot of talk going on about them. As a matter of fact, two of them are now being talked about as theater musicals. One of the little books is being done for children's theaters all across the country, which is lovely, and we're working on that—songs and script, which my daughter and I are writing.

Wild About Movies: Do you have summer plans?

Julie Andrews: I've been saying to Blake, can we just go away for a few weeks, because I've been so busy with my nose to the grindstone with the autobiography. As I said, I'm feeling slightly cross-eyed from concentrating.

Wild About Movies: You haven't decided though?

Julie Andrews: No.

Wild About Movies: What was it that made you sure you wanted to do the biography? You said during Princess Diaries you weren't sure about writing your autobiography?

Julie Andrews: I don't know. The company that asked me, Hyperion, (a division of Walt Disney) sweetly and doggedly have been after me for about 10 years now, will you, will you, will you? And I finally said yes. I don't know if I can, but I'll try. They gave me a very small down payment and I've been trying to give it back to them ever since. But they won't accept it back. So I guess I wasn't very smart. Then, of course, deadlines kept going by so now it's a question of OK. They did a very smart thing. You know I write with my daughter and they said to her will you keep your mother at it. Will you start interviewing her. So she's been a tremendous help. She's been helping me focus and does a lot of the research. You can't imagine how much research there is. When you're writing it, it's like what was the theater where we rehearsed? I think it was that, but was it? Then you have to run the data. Did I send the dog home ahead of time or did I travel with it? I don't' remember.

Wild About Movies: Is there a deadline?

Julie Andrews: Yes. Like last week. It's down to the wire.

Wild About Movies: Are you signed up for Shrek 4?

Julie Andrews: Oh, if they do it, you bet.

Watch "Shrek 3" Trailer

Shrek 3 Movie Poster

end ornament




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In The Spotlight

"Ashes Of Time Redux"

Movie Trailer Premiere
September 8, 2008

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Wild About Movies now provides you with more movie posters, movie trailers, movie synopses, Behind The Scenes of movies, and celebrity interviews with stars of upcoming movies than any other web site in the world. Today you are able to peruse the movie trailers, movie posters and movie synopses of more than 500 movies not yet in theaters (and more than 15000 movies in theaters and on DVD). Which movies, you ask? The first "Wonder Woman" movie of the millennium. "Nothing Like The Holidays" and Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire." Ed Harris's "Appaloosa." The Mike Leigh film "Happy Go Lucky." And the documentary "The Linguists." John C. Reilly in "Cirque Du Freak." Patrick Swayze in "Powder Blue." Jake Gyllenhaal as "Prince of Persia: Sands Of Time" and "The Dark Knight" himself, Christian Bale, as John Connor in "Terminator Salvation." Oscar winner Adrien Brody in "The Brothers Bloom." Rose McGowan as "Red Sonja 2009." Mark Wahlberg in "Max Payne" and "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" starring Michael Cera. Also Gerard Butler in the Frank Darabont film "Law Abiding Citizen" and Chace Crawford in "The Haunting of Molly Hartley" and Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes To Jail." Ricky Gervais in "Ghost Town." Rob Zombie's "Tyrannosaurus Rex" and Justin Chatwin in "Dragonball" and Keanu Reeves in "The Day The Earth Stood Still." The independent movies: "The Dukes"and "Filth And Wisdom," directed by Madonna and "Rock N Rolla," directed by her husband, Guy Ritchie. And Seth Rogen is "The Green Hornet." Shia LaBeouf in "Transformers 2" and "Eagle Eye." The kid friendly movie "The Perfect Game" along with "Witchblade 2009," and "Smother," as well as Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as lovers in "I Love You Phillip Morris." Sequels: Everything from Vin Diesel in "Fast And Furious 4" and "Underworld 3" to "The Pink Panther 2," starring Steve Martin and "Transporter 3" to the requisite "Cloverfield 2" and "Iron Man 2" and "GI Joe The Movie." And Seann William Scott in both "Role Models" and "Trainwreck: My Life As An Idiot." The big screen adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" and two Tony winning plays turned movies, "Doubt," starring Meryl Streep, and "Frost Nixon," starring Frank Langella. Also, the Coen Bros' "Burn After Reading," and a novel cum movie, "Choke," and The Rock in "Race To Witch Mountain." Also, "Friday the 13th 2009" and Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio's next collaboration, "Ashecliffe" aka "Shutter Island." In addition, "Flash Of Genius" and the big screen incarnation of "Marley & Me" and "City Of Ember" and Frank Miller's "The Spirit," now a Christmas 2008 release. "The Great Buck Howard" and Nicolas Cage in "Know1ng." Also, Brad Pitt in both "Inglorious Bastards" and "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button." The big screen adaptation of Maurice Sendack's "Where The Wild Things Are Movie," to fab film director Michael Mann's "Public Enemies," to "Saw 5," or "Saw V," depending whether you're into Roman numerals. And "Taken," starring Liam Neeson. "Local Color" and "Sex Drive." Along with "Watch Out" and "Wild Child" and "The Escapist" and "Towelhead." Also, Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in "Bride Wars;" to another movie from the creator of "Borat," "Religulous." The probable movie box office smash, "Ice Age 3." And Daniel Radcliffe naked not in "Harry Potter 6" - but Daniel Radcliffe naked at WAM and on Broadway in "Equus." More? Sure! Peter Jackson's "District 9" and "The Lovely Bones" and "The Hobbit Movies." Colin Farrell in "Pride And Glory" and Leonardo DiCaprio in "Body Of Lies." The Anne Hathaway movie "Passengers." Dreamorks Animations' "Madagascar 2" and "Monsters vs Aliens." "The Smurfs Movie;" and "Splice;" and the remake of the 1939 classic "The Women;" "Repo: Genetic Opera;" "Push;" "Terminator 4;" "AstroBoy." Even more! "Fears of the Dark" and the big screen version of "Land of the Lost" and Spike Lee's "Miracle At St. Anna" and Oliver Stone's "W" along with Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and "Chicago 7." And "Star Trek XI." Also, a slew of animated and non animated Walt Disney movies, many in 3D: including "Fraggle Rock: The Movie" and "The Jonas Brothers Movie 3D" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," "Bolt," "The King of the Elves" and "Rapunzel," "The Bear and the Bow;" "Toy Story 3," "Newt," "The Princess And The Frog," "Up," "Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea" and "Cars 2." And Universal's animated movie "The Tale Of Despereaux." Heath Ledger's last movie, "Dr. Parnassus." "Black Devil Doll." More? "The Fly Boys" and Wesley Snipes in "Gallowwalker!" Even more: "Quarantine" and "Zack And Miri." Also: Zac Efron in three big screen 2008 movies: "Footloose 2010," "17 Again" and "High School Musical 3." "Bitch Slap" and Daniel Craig in "Defiance," and as 007 in "Bond 22," which now has the official title "Quantum of Solace;" "Delgo" and the Catholic films "Pope Joan" and prequel of "The DaVinci Code," "Angels & Demons;" "Hotel For Dogs" and "Synecdoche, New York" and "Humboldt County." Benicio Del Toro as "The Wolfman" and "Che." And Hugh Jackman as "Wolverine;" "Valkyrie." The 2009 films, "He's Just Not That Into You," James ("Titanic") Cameron's "Avatar;" "Watchmen," (from the director of "300"), "The Bad Lieutenant 2009" and Hilary Swank in "Amelia." And "Adoration" and the non Disney animated movies "Coraline" and "Igor." Also, Anne Hathaway in both "Passengers" and "Rachel Getting Married." The long awaited page to screen "Twilight" and the Canadian smash "3 P'tits Cochons," Italian worldwide hit "Gomorra," as well as the Chinese blockbuster "Red Cliff" and the French hits "Hunting And Gathering" and "Ch'tis." Not to mention the Australian smash "The Tender Hook". Also, Diablo Cody in "Jennifer's Body," which she also wrote. Sean Penn as Harvey "Milk." And don't forget the must 'not' sees "My Bloody Valentine 3D" and Uwe Boll's "Far Cry." "How To Be A Serial Killer" and/or "How To Lose Friends and Alienate People" starring Simon Pegg. Also, the "2009 Oscars." Our latest big screen movie entry - "Ashes Of Time Redux" - movie trailer premiere. For the current and complete 2008 movie box office report... (continue)




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