In a faraway land called Duloc, a heartless ruler, the midget Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow) has banished all the fairy tales from the land so it can be as boring as he is. But there are three characters who will stand is his way. The first is a green, smelly ogre with a heart of gold named Shrek (Mike Myers), his faithful steed, a Donkey (Eddie Murphy), who will do anything but shut up, and the beautiful, but tough Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) whom Lord Farquaad wishes to make his wife so he can become king of Duloc.