Pube-headed professional white boy Justin Timberlake (CDs) is all signed up to join his special ladyfriend Cameron Diaz (DVDs) in Dreamwork’s upcoming Shrek 3.

The movie – aside from having a title which is a stunning leap of the imagination – will feature Timbo as Artie, the ‘rebellious nephew of Prince Harold.’ All sorts of comedic gold will be mined, apparently, as Mike Myers’ (DVDs) fat green Shrek is given the task of teaching Artie to ‘act like royalty.’

Eddie Murphy (DVDs) is also due to return … although seeing as his work outside of 0greland has consisted of bilge like The Adventures Of Pluto Nash (DVD) and Daddy Day Care (DVD), it isn’t really that surprising that he’d leap at the chance to resurrect Donkey, now is it?

It’s as-yet unclear as to whether Antonio Banderas (DVDs) will be returning as sword-wielding moggy Puss In Boots. Well … not in this movie, anyway. Word on the cinema grapevine is that Banderas has been approached to star in a spin-off production in which the little feline fella would take centre stage.

Sounds like a fun idea. But maybe we shouldn’t be encouraging Katzenberg and Kompany any further. Rumours abound that a Shrek musical is on the cards. Which is just plain ugly, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Still – there’s plenty of time for all of this to change. Shrek 3 - originally slated for release in 2006 but now postponed until a year later – is but a glimmer in the multiplex eye. Young Mr. Timberlake will first get to show off his acting skills alongside Kevin Spacey (DVDs) in thriller Edison and in drug-dealing narcoflick Alpha Dog.

Let’s just see what the screeching little whiner can do …

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[story by C J Davies]