[IMG:L]It’s not every day that one gets an audience with cinematic American sweethearts as disparate as The Sound of Music’s Maria and Something About Mary’s Mary at the same time, but with Julie Andrews and Cameron Diaz reprising their voice roles as royal mother and daughter in the animated sequel Shrek the Third, Hollywood.com found out that, even if Cameron’s singing is quite as angelic as Julie’s, they come together in perfect harmony.
Hollywood.com: How does it feel to be a part of a film phenomenon like the Shrek franchise, which is not a star-driven project, really – it’s appeal is in the characters and storytelling.
Julie Andrews: Well, certainly you’re very grateful, I think.
Cameron Diaz: Definitely. I am so happy to be a part of it because of the integrity of the film, the message that it puts out every time and the fact that it is for so many audiences. And even the message that Fiona gives, and the princesses are the vehicle for that story. They tell the story of “Don’t you sit around and wait to be rescued. Go out and take care of it, if you want this, go get it. You can’t wait for somebody to do it for you.” That is a message for everyone you know? It’s for boys and girls, men and women, and it’s for people who have known it all along and need to hear it again. It is for people that have never heard it and need to hear it for the first time. Delivering that and putting that out into the world, I am honored to be a part of that and I want to be a part of that. Plus the fact that you know they are going to take that technology they made, from the first to the third one…
JA: The quality of this third one is superb, it’s luminous. It’s pretty and I’m so pleased that everybody else picked up on it…Who knew that digital animation could go even further than it was?
HW: Cameron, Fiona and the fairy tale princess go a little Charlie’s Angels at one point in the film. Was that a suggestion from you?
CD: They just did that – I had no idea. It’s a discovery for me every time I go in – what’s it going to be? I was like ‘Really!’ I just love it too. I love how they are just ripping off their sleeves. I loved when the stepsister who was Larry [King] ripped it off and showed that tattoo – it’s just brilliant. And the great thing is how they delivered that, they deliver that message with humor. They deliver it in the best possible way, and they do it as turning the traditional storybook princess on its ear. They hit so many different levels in delivering that message and it’s fun, it’s really fun – I love it.
JA: [The filmmakers] are open to suggestions.
CD: It’s very true. In the first Shrek I had no idea what I was doing and I didn’t know Fiona at all. I had no idea who she was, I didn’t know what context in which she fit in the story, and now I do. I look out for her in a totally different way. I respect her, I want to protect her – not that I have to, because they all have her best interest in mind as well. They want to be true to Fiona as well. The only thing I can think of is that after Fiona and Shrek got married there was a slight nag that started to happen, which I was not so keen on. I was like “She cannot be a nag.” She was a little bit selfish about how she expected Shrek to show up for her, and I just didn’t feel it was fair to him.
JA: And you were absolutely right. She is so sweet.
CD: She knows Shrek, she knows his weaknesses, and she knows that it’s hard for him to be out of the swamp and be in the kingdom. She can’t expect him to show up for her every single time. Even in that scene where they have to get dressed up – That was sort of the “Come on Shrek, do this!” Turn it into “Please do this. I know it’s hard for you but please can you do it?” Not “I can’t believe you are not going to do this for me.” That kind of mentality.
[IMG:R]HW: Are there a lot of surprise discoveries when you first see the finished film?
JA: Oh yes, and that is great fun. Some wonderful ah-ha moments when you say Ah! I am so glad they did that, because it makes a character feel better.
CD: Yeah, I think that for me what just popped in my mind just now thinking about your question was I think I am a perfectionist. I always want to do it the best that it can be done. When I see anything I have done up on the screen I am always like ‘Oh, now I know – I could’ve done it so much better – now I know!’ But in particular with this movie because for many different reasons but specifically because you are on your own and although you are working with Chris [Miller] who is brilliant at all the voices and so much fun to work with and so wonderful. He knows what the other actors have done but it’s still not working with the other person so when you see their performance you go “Oh! Oh, oh, oh okay that’s how they did it, that’s what they were doing.” You go, “Oh God if I had known that is how they were doing it…” but that is where you put your trust into the director and ultimately you know that wouldn’t get up on the screen unless it is what he knew worked with the other actors’ performances, and that he felt that it was appropriate and fit in together so that is why he did it. That’s why in any film that is why the director is the most important thing.
JA: Also you are holding your character in a live-action movie. You are holding your character in your hand the whole time. In this particular case, I think the director is holding your character in his head. So if he is asking you for this or asking for that then obviously he knows when he has got it. So the actual concern of “Where am I going?” and “Will this match with that?” – that part is kind of taken away.
HW: What are you working on now?
CD: I’m working on my hair color at the moment. Just teasing – I am waiting to see exactly what I will be doing. I am hoping that one of the things I am looking at will be sticking on the wall for the summer.
JA: I’m working on my autobiography, which will come out next April. So I am on such a deadline and I feel slightly cross eyed.
HW: You’ve resisted that project for some time. What made you agree to do it now?
JA: I don’t know. The company that asked me, Hyperion, have been sweetly and doggedly 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 have been trying to give it back to them ever since, but they won’t accept it back, so I wasn’t very smart! Then of course deadlines kept going by and going by so now it is question of “okay.” They did a very smart thing and now I write with my daughter and they said “Will you keep your mother at it? Will you start interviewing her? And so she has been a tremendous help, she has been helping me really focus, and does a lot of the research. You can’t imagine how much research it is
CD: On your own life. [Laughs]
JA: But when you were actually writing it and I thought ‘What WAS the theater that we rehearsed at?’ and I think it was that, but then was it? Then you can’t find the data. “Did I send the dog home ahead of time or did I travel with it? I don’t remember traveling with it.”
HW: Cameron, listening to Julie talk about her memories, living through an important historical time in the entertainment, do you feel like you’re living through Hollywood history right now? And are you taking notes?
JA: She will have, when she gets to my age.
HW: That’s what I mean. Down the line, do you think one day you’re gonna look back at your life the same way that Julie‘s doing right now?
CD: Sure. I mean, it’s part of my life, so I will definitely look back on – you know, I’ll have these memories, and I’ll have my history of it. But yeah – I mean, it’s amazing to get to sit and listen to her. And it’s very comforting, to have someone who is held in such high regard, and who has accomplished so much and to hear how grateful she is for it, and how she looks at it. I feel like I look at my career very much in the same way. I’m just grateful for everything that’s happened. I just felt lucky. I’ve said that from day one. I just – every time I get a job, I’m just like, “Thank you.” I don’t expect it.
HW: One thing you two have in common, aside from Shrek, is that you both have incredible mainstream appeal and success. You appeal to a very broad audience. Do you guys have any sense of “Why me?”
JA: Yes. I think I know why. And that is that I got fortunate enough to be in two or three of the biggest blockbusters of all time. The bigger the movie, the better it’s remembered. You know, the more important the movie, the better it’s remembered. And therefore, so are you. But how lovely, to be a part of these iconic things. And this is another one.
[IMG:L]HW: When you look back at Mary Poppins, do you look at it as an extended home movie? Do you see it as a collection of memories?
JA: Well, I look at it as a movie. I remember exactly the wonder of making it, and that it was the first film I ever made, and that it was the best lesson I could possibly have had, in terms of film making. Because everything was special effects, because of the live action and animated sequences. So I had to learn the patience that’s needed to make a movie.
CD: I did the same – The Mask was my first movie. And that was all –I was reacting off of animation that wasn’t there.
JA: I know – it takes forever!
CD: Yeah, and I’d never acted before. So I was like, “Okay! Here I go,” you know? You had done vaudeville. But.
JA: But it does take a great deal of patience. Because it’s far more about – in Disney’s case, they made a wonderful movie. But it’s far more about, will the effect work? Can we get it to work?…If you’ve never made a movie before, everything about the filmmaking is interesting. Why, and how, and the – “Oh, I’m gonna have to be patient here.” It’s a learning experience. You learn so much.
HW: You’ve garnered a lot of success very early in life, and early in your career. Do you have any lessons, or advice for younger actors that are also finding themselves kind of a lot, very early, very soon?
JA: Yeah. That – that it pays, it helps to be well-rooted in yourself. Because big success is an assault, as this young lady can say. And it certainly was for me. And it’s also, for people that are really passionate about this business, or theater, I’d say, the chances are, if you’re – if you have the smallest amount of luck, wonderful things might come your way. But you better have done your homework. Be ready. Pay your dues, you know?
HW: Having done the Shrek films together, what have you learned from each other? Being together after working pretty much alone, you get to spend time together during the promotion phase. What have you picked up from each other?
JA: That we have some similar values.
CD: Yeah. Definitely. I’m just – it’s such a great – it’s like soul food, for me, to hear her speak. It’s like – no, it’s so inspiring. And so – like, it just – it puts – you know, I think in your life, like, pieces of puzzles fall in place, you know what I mean? And it’s like, it’s just – it’s great.
JA: It’s nice to find out that she’s as lovely a lady as she is on the movies.
HW: Do you ever get frustrated by people who complain about their place in the business, the price of fame and that kind of thing?
JA: I don’t bump into that many people that are like that.
CD: I’d like to speak to that, actually. I think your relationship with fame is like any other relationship. It’s ups and downs, you know? Some days you wake up and you’re just amazed by it. And some days you wake up, and you’re just floored by it. You just don’t know how you’re gonna get through it. And like any relationship I’m sure everybody goes through with their career: you love that you’re a writer, but some days you’re just, “I can’t believe I have to go to another junket.” It’s the same – but then you realize, you remember why you’re doing it. And what it means to you.
JA: Right.
CD: So there are those days that you wake up, and you’re not as grateful for everything you have. But that’s just being human. I’ve had moments where I just wanted to wish it all away, because it was just overwhelming. And then you rediscover it, and you remember why it’s so important to you. And then you can embrace it again. It’s like anything. It’s just, unfortunately, everything we say goes into print.
HW: Do you think your own perception of fame changed as you’ve gotten older?
CD: I mean, it’s up and down – like I said, it’s like a roller coaster. It’s like any other relationship that you have with any – Any other relationship, period. Like, with your car. [Laughs] You’re like, “I love this car. This car drives so fast, I love this car.” And then you’re like, “God, I really need a new car.” [Laughs] You know, “I wish I had another cup holder.”
JA: She’s dead right.
CD: It’s constantly evolving and changing.
JA: But the overview is gratitude, really.
HW: When you feel like your in that downward cycle, what brings you back to center?
CD: The thing that I always just remember, the thing that always brings me back, is just – and what she’s been saying is – how grateful, how lucky we are, and how wonderful and beautiful of a life that I have. How grateful I am for everything – like, that I have the life that I have. Is, I’m just the most – I consider myself the most fortunate person on the planet.
JA: And as a summing up, the best possible thing is as you get older, you realize that it’s all about the giving back. It’s all about the giving. When you’re a young person, you – and I started younger than even Cameron – it’s all about, “What am I doing?” And, “Oh, gosh, I think I did that fine.” But nowadays it’s all about, “Can I make you feel great tonight, and forget the planet’s going to hell and back?”
HW: Do each of you believe in happily ever after or is that kind of a myth?
CD: It depends on what your idea of happily ever after is. I think everybody has a different idea of what happily ever after is, so I believe in happily ever after – but I have never seen it written in a book. [Laughs] I have never seen any princess act it out for me, but I definitely have a happily ever after.
JA: I do. I think I do. I think happily ever after definitely comes from here first. And how much two people want to do a happily ever after depending if you say what it is. We are both so blessed – I mean and how could it not be happily ever after?
CD: Today is happily ever after. Somebody asked me “How come you are always so smiley?” And, like, duh. Because I’m grateful for everything I have in my life. I have no reason not to be smiling. I have like the best life, ever.
JA: No, I have the best life ever. [Laughs]
CD: You do.
–Additional reporting by Fred Topel
