Who was originally cast to voice Shrek before Mike Myers?

Picture a world without Shrek. No "layers like onions," no All Star, no Donkey asking if we're there yet. Unthinkable, right? Yet this green, grouchy, pop culture juggernaut nearly vanished into the mists of "what could have been." The tale of how Shrek went from page to screen is as twisted as a fairy tale itself, full of unexpected turns and last-minute rescues.

Back in 1990, William Steig's children's book "Shrek!" caught the eye of Steven Spielberg. The legendary director saw potential in the tale of an ugly ogre with a heart of gold. But like a half-eaten onion, the project was left to sit... and sit... and sit.

Fast forward to 1994. DreamWorks Animation, the new studio on the block, was looking to make a splash in the world of computer-animated films. They dusted off the Shrek concept, seeing it as the perfect vehicle to challenge Disney's reign and prove that fairy tales could be edgy, too.

But bringing Shrek to life wasn't all that easy. The animation team faced the daunting task of creating believable human characters - something that had never been done successfully in a full-length CG film. They even joked about the "Shrek Curse," believing that working on the ogre's ugly mug was career suicide.

Despite the challenges, Shrek lumbered onto screens in 2001, quickly becoming a cultural juggernaut. It grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and spawned a franchise that's still going strong today. Not bad for a swamp-dweller, eh?

But here's where our story takes an interesting twist. The Shrek we know and love - with his Scottish brogue and perfect comedic timing - almost sounded completely different. Mike Myers wasn't the original choice for the role. In fact, another comedy legend had already recorded nearly all of Shrek's dialogue before a last-minute change shook things up.

So, here's the burning question that's been lurking in the swamp: Who was the actor originally cast as the voice of Shrek? Put on your thinking caps, folks – this bit of movie trivia might just knock your socks off!