Nicolas Cage Turned Down ‘Shrek’ Because He Didn’t Want To ‘Look Like An Ogre’

Nicolas Cage turned down the chance to play Shrek in the 2001 DreamWorks movie because he didn’t want to ‘look like an ogre’.

The hit film, which turns 20 today, ended up casting Mike Myers in the iconic role and the rest, as they say, is history.

However, Cage has admitted that he sometimes has regrets about his decision.

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He once told The Sun: “We were talking about Shrek and I just didn’t want to look like an ogre.

“Maybe I should have done it looking back.”

Fans have since joked on Twitter that if DreamWorks ever make a live-action remake, they should cast him.

“Hear me out… a live-action Shrek with Nicholas cage as Shrek,” wrote one person.

What many people don’t know is Chris Farley was the original voice of Shrek and he recorded nearly all of his lines for the film but then tragically died in 1997 before he had a chance to finish the job.

Other actors who were considered for the role before it was given to Myers include Bill Murray and Steve Martin.

The film was a huge box office hit that earned $11.6million on its first day and $42.3million on its opening weekend.

It also went on to become the highest-grossing animated film ever to be released in Australia, beating the likes of The Lion King.

When it came to awards season, the film scooped the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was also the first animated film to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

It was also received six BAFTA Awards nominations, including the gong for Best Film.

Due to its huge success, three sequels were then released, including the Oscar-nominated Shrek 2.

The film has become a much-loved classic over the years and fans are freaking out today after realising it’s been 20 years since it was released.

“It’s absolutely blown my mind that Shrek came out 20 years ago,” wrote one person on Twitter.

Another added: “Shrek is the best-animated film of all time.”