In celebration of 2026 marking Shrek's 25th anniversary, the film is returning to theatre this Friday, May 15th,2026. However, the original film was release in theatres on May 18th, 2001. Here is the film synopsis of the book-based, animated feature film, Shrek:
When fairy tale creatures exiled by the power-hungry Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) invade his swamp, the grumpy ogre Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) sets out to reclaim his home. Joined by the talkative Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) for Farquaad in exchange for getting his swamp back.
Roger S. H. Schulman is a screenwriter, producer, and instructor at TheWriterCoach.com, best known for co-writing the Oscar-nominated animated films Shrek, which won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Balto. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has also built an extensive television résumé, including serving as executive producer of "Jonas" and the NAACP Image Award-winning sitcom "Living Single".
Here is his Novelpro Junkie interview:
When fairy tale creatures exiled by the power-hungry Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) invade his swamp, the grumpy ogre Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) sets out to reclaim his home. Joined by the talkative Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) for Farquaad in exchange for getting his swamp back.
Roger S. H. Schulman is a screenwriter, producer, and instructor at TheWriterCoach.com, best known for co-writing the Oscar-nominated animated films Shrek, which won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Balto. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has also built an extensive television résumé, including serving as executive producer of "Jonas" and the NAACP Image Award-winning sitcom "Living Single".
Here is his Novelpro Junkie interview:
1. How would you describe the animated film “Shrek” in three adjectives?
Heartwarming, Funny, Satirical
2. When you think back on your time co-writing the animated film, what comes to mind?
The hard work of helping to shape a new kind of animated feature over the course of years. The immense fun and freedom of being allowed to be daring. The hint of glamour at working at DreamWorks and with Jeffrey Katzenberg. The immense talent of the directors, artists and voice actors. The bond I formed with my co-writer Joe Stillman. The breathtaking feeling of seeing the finished product and witnessing the overall reaction to the film and its acceptance into larger pop culture.
3. What research did you do when writing “Shrek”?
As a former journalist, I’ve always been committed to research. I read a lot of fairy tales and the origins of their meanings. I looked into the terms of the day — royalty, the role of women in the Middle Ages, dragons, etc. I remember looking up the word “brimstone” to see if it meant what I thought it meant.
4. Did you meet William Steig, author of “Shrek!”? If so, what was the experience like?
No, I didn’t have the privilege of meeting William Steig. But my wife did buy for me one of his signed prints, which now hangs on my office wall.
5. Shrek has top notch cast members (Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, etc). Did you have the chance to chat with any of them?
No — the directors and other professionals did the voice recording with them. But I did feel as if I created a virtual bond with Eddie Murphy. I wrote a lot of Donkey’s dialog and did a lot of scratch recording for Donkey while writing for the film. He sent me a great big bottle of champagne and a note to thank me for my work. I assume he sent such a gift to everyone, but it still made me smile.
6. When the film premiered 25 years ago(2026), what stood out to you?
The size of it. Big movie, big billboards, and a big reaction. I had worked on a lot of successful projects, but none of them as big and none of them as successful as quickly. It took on a life of its own. Before the movie came out, I had to pronounce the title twice for people who asked me what I was working on, then spell it, then explain it. After it dropped, I just had to say I wrote on Shrek and they would light up.
7. Shrek was nominated for the 2002 Oscar for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), how did you first find out that it got nominated?
They announce the nominations in the middle of the night. I was sleeping. My wife woke me up and told me the movie was nominated. I was still half asleep. I thanked her, then thought to myself, “That’s nice,” and went back to sleep.
8. At the Oscar ceremony, which celebrities did you get to converse with? If possible, could you elaborate about the conversation with one of them?
The experience was wonderful, but I didn’t get to converse with any celebrities. The closest I got was having to stand up 12 times so that the Lord of the Rings people could get past me to the aisle to accept their umpteenth statuette. There were plenty of other opportunities to hobnob with celebrities, at other events.
9. Shrek made history as the first-ever winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. How does it feel to be part of this history?
At the time, it was bittersweet. The movie won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but it didn’t win for Best Adapted Screenplay. However, it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, so the whole thing was one-quarter bitter, three-quarters sweet. Nowadays, it thrills and relaxes me. Show business is tough; there are a lot of near-misses and outright failures. But this, they can’t take away from me. It’s in the books.
10. Congrats on winning the BAFTA awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, were you present at the ceremony? If so, could you mention any memorable moments?
Thank you. The British Academy flew my wife and myself out to London and treated us, well, royally. They have an excellent attitude toward writing in the UK. The ceremony was smaller than the Oscars, but incredibly classy, sophisticated and fun. Stephen Fry hosted, and the overall level of banter was breathtakingly high. At the awards ceremony, each seat had a tiny bottle of champagne next to it! My most memorable moment was when a camera operator focused on the writers while the nominations were read. I murmured to my wife, “Watch how fast they whip the camera off us when they announce the winner.” She said, “Get up.” I said, “What?” She said, “Get up! You won!”
11. Looking back 25 years ago(2026), in one word how would you sum up your experience with Shrek?
FUN.
12. 2025 marked Balto’s 30th anniversary, could you mention any memorable moments from that project?
During the production, we had to watch some footage in a theater with Steven Spielberg. He’s been one of my idols since Jaws. I don’t think I looked at the screen once. Not only was I meeting him — I was working with him! And not for nothing, he liked it.
Although this wasn’t during the production, I recently went to visit the Balto statue in Central Park in New York City. When the weather is nice, there are always at least a few children taking selfies with Balto. My wife, who is my greatest promoter, shouted, “Hey — he wrote Balto!” I went fire-engine red and the kids all crowded around me. I can’t describe that feeling except to say I felt like I had done something right.
13. Are there any novel/novella/short story/ article that you would like to see adapted into a film or TV series?
I’ve always wanted to adapt the novel “Harold’s Tail,” by John Bemelmans Marciano. I’m currently working on an adaptation of the beautiful children’s book “Little Witch Hazel” by Phoebe Wahl, which certainly deserves its own series!
14. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Randy Newman, a songwriter of astounding versatility.
Steven Spielberg, my childhood idol.
Olivia Rodrigo, for whom I wrote on Bizaardvark, to ask her about the transition from Disney Channel toiler to auteur superstar.
I’d also love to interview Mark Twain, but he’s dead and I don’t think I could hold up my end of the conversation.
15. You won an NAACP Image Award for the hit ‘90s sit-com “Living Single”, could you mention your experience as an executive producer and any notable moments you had with cast members (Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, T.C. Carson, John Henton, and Mel Jackson)
I treasure that award. There are too many long tales to tell to compress even one into a few sentences. It was an experience that today’s political climate would never tolerate, much to the disadvantage of the country and society at large. You mention the wonderful cast members, but leave out the biggest star: Yvette Lee Bowser, the show’s creator and true mind and heart of the show.
16. Could you talk about how being a journalist has helped you write screenplays?
Yes, for hours. But I’ll just say that both crafts lean heavily on structure to achieve clarity, intelligence, emotion and efficiency. Let me add that, once you’ve worked for a wire service or newspaper, no deadline anyone in show business can hand you feels daunting.
17. Have you considered writing more fiction (perhaps non-fiction) books?
Yes, I’m currently working on two novels. One is a YA novel based on a fairy tale. The other, in collaboration with bestselling novelist and nonfiction writer Kevin Baker, is an adult novel set in 1910 New York City. Whether these will ever see print? Ask the muses.
18. Last question, could you tell us one surprising fact about yourself?
I’m the son of a virtuoso Borscht Belt entertainer, my father, whose stage name was Howard Shaw. He used his brilliant tenor to entertain thousands of guests in the hotels of the famous Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. It’s all gone now, as is my father, but watching him entertain both himself and his deliriously happy audiences was certainly the inspiration for my wanting to be in show business in my own way. The Catskills helped launch giants from Mel Brooks to Barbra Streisand — and Howard Shaw!
Heartwarming, Funny, Satirical
2. When you think back on your time co-writing the animated film, what comes to mind?
The hard work of helping to shape a new kind of animated feature over the course of years. The immense fun and freedom of being allowed to be daring. The hint of glamour at working at DreamWorks and with Jeffrey Katzenberg. The immense talent of the directors, artists and voice actors. The bond I formed with my co-writer Joe Stillman. The breathtaking feeling of seeing the finished product and witnessing the overall reaction to the film and its acceptance into larger pop culture.
3. What research did you do when writing “Shrek”?
As a former journalist, I’ve always been committed to research. I read a lot of fairy tales and the origins of their meanings. I looked into the terms of the day — royalty, the role of women in the Middle Ages, dragons, etc. I remember looking up the word “brimstone” to see if it meant what I thought it meant.
4. Did you meet William Steig, author of “Shrek!”? If so, what was the experience like?
No, I didn’t have the privilege of meeting William Steig. But my wife did buy for me one of his signed prints, which now hangs on my office wall.
5. Shrek has top notch cast members (Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, etc). Did you have the chance to chat with any of them?
No — the directors and other professionals did the voice recording with them. But I did feel as if I created a virtual bond with Eddie Murphy. I wrote a lot of Donkey’s dialog and did a lot of scratch recording for Donkey while writing for the film. He sent me a great big bottle of champagne and a note to thank me for my work. I assume he sent such a gift to everyone, but it still made me smile.
6. When the film premiered 25 years ago(2026), what stood out to you?
The size of it. Big movie, big billboards, and a big reaction. I had worked on a lot of successful projects, but none of them as big and none of them as successful as quickly. It took on a life of its own. Before the movie came out, I had to pronounce the title twice for people who asked me what I was working on, then spell it, then explain it. After it dropped, I just had to say I wrote on Shrek and they would light up.
7. Shrek was nominated for the 2002 Oscar for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), how did you first find out that it got nominated?
They announce the nominations in the middle of the night. I was sleeping. My wife woke me up and told me the movie was nominated. I was still half asleep. I thanked her, then thought to myself, “That’s nice,” and went back to sleep.
8. At the Oscar ceremony, which celebrities did you get to converse with? If possible, could you elaborate about the conversation with one of them?
The experience was wonderful, but I didn’t get to converse with any celebrities. The closest I got was having to stand up 12 times so that the Lord of the Rings people could get past me to the aisle to accept their umpteenth statuette. There were plenty of other opportunities to hobnob with celebrities, at other events.
9. Shrek made history as the first-ever winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. How does it feel to be part of this history?
At the time, it was bittersweet. The movie won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but it didn’t win for Best Adapted Screenplay. However, it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, so the whole thing was one-quarter bitter, three-quarters sweet. Nowadays, it thrills and relaxes me. Show business is tough; there are a lot of near-misses and outright failures. But this, they can’t take away from me. It’s in the books.
10. Congrats on winning the BAFTA awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, were you present at the ceremony? If so, could you mention any memorable moments?
Thank you. The British Academy flew my wife and myself out to London and treated us, well, royally. They have an excellent attitude toward writing in the UK. The ceremony was smaller than the Oscars, but incredibly classy, sophisticated and fun. Stephen Fry hosted, and the overall level of banter was breathtakingly high. At the awards ceremony, each seat had a tiny bottle of champagne next to it! My most memorable moment was when a camera operator focused on the writers while the nominations were read. I murmured to my wife, “Watch how fast they whip the camera off us when they announce the winner.” She said, “Get up.” I said, “What?” She said, “Get up! You won!”
11. Looking back 25 years ago(2026), in one word how would you sum up your experience with Shrek?
FUN.
12. 2025 marked Balto’s 30th anniversary, could you mention any memorable moments from that project?
During the production, we had to watch some footage in a theater with Steven Spielberg. He’s been one of my idols since Jaws. I don’t think I looked at the screen once. Not only was I meeting him — I was working with him! And not for nothing, he liked it.
Although this wasn’t during the production, I recently went to visit the Balto statue in Central Park in New York City. When the weather is nice, there are always at least a few children taking selfies with Balto. My wife, who is my greatest promoter, shouted, “Hey — he wrote Balto!” I went fire-engine red and the kids all crowded around me. I can’t describe that feeling except to say I felt like I had done something right.
13. Are there any novel/novella/short story/ article that you would like to see adapted into a film or TV series?
I’ve always wanted to adapt the novel “Harold’s Tail,” by John Bemelmans Marciano. I’m currently working on an adaptation of the beautiful children’s book “Little Witch Hazel” by Phoebe Wahl, which certainly deserves its own series!
14. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Randy Newman, a songwriter of astounding versatility.
Steven Spielberg, my childhood idol.
Olivia Rodrigo, for whom I wrote on Bizaardvark, to ask her about the transition from Disney Channel toiler to auteur superstar.
I’d also love to interview Mark Twain, but he’s dead and I don’t think I could hold up my end of the conversation.
15. You won an NAACP Image Award for the hit ‘90s sit-com “Living Single”, could you mention your experience as an executive producer and any notable moments you had with cast members (Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, T.C. Carson, John Henton, and Mel Jackson)
I treasure that award. There are too many long tales to tell to compress even one into a few sentences. It was an experience that today’s political climate would never tolerate, much to the disadvantage of the country and society at large. You mention the wonderful cast members, but leave out the biggest star: Yvette Lee Bowser, the show’s creator and true mind and heart of the show.
16. Could you talk about how being a journalist has helped you write screenplays?
Yes, for hours. But I’ll just say that both crafts lean heavily on structure to achieve clarity, intelligence, emotion and efficiency. Let me add that, once you’ve worked for a wire service or newspaper, no deadline anyone in show business can hand you feels daunting.
17. Have you considered writing more fiction (perhaps non-fiction) books?
Yes, I’m currently working on two novels. One is a YA novel based on a fairy tale. The other, in collaboration with bestselling novelist and nonfiction writer Kevin Baker, is an adult novel set in 1910 New York City. Whether these will ever see print? Ask the muses.
18. Last question, could you tell us one surprising fact about yourself?
I’m the son of a virtuoso Borscht Belt entertainer, my father, whose stage name was Howard Shaw. He used his brilliant tenor to entertain thousands of guests in the hotels of the famous Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. It’s all gone now, as is my father, but watching him entertain both himself and his deliriously happy audiences was certainly the inspiration for my wanting to be in show business in my own way. The Catskills helped launch giants from Mel Brooks to Barbra Streisand — and Howard Shaw!
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