US actor Mike Myers may have pulled a rather decent Scottish accent out of the bag to play Shrek, but someone a little closer to home very nearly voiced the not-so-jolly green ogre.
Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) could have been dancing to the music with a very different swamp owner if things had gone to plan for Cold Feet star John Thomson.
The Manchester-born comedian and actor told Radio Times that he was actually invited to test for the role and was very excited about about it but, as we all know, he ultimately lost out to Austin Powers star Myers. Thats not so groovy, baby.
So why didnt the filmmakers opt to have Thomson take on John Lithgows Lord Farquaad? Did the powers that be get cold feet?
Well probably never known for sure, but Thomson thinks he quite simply wasnt famous enough for the stellar line-up. In hindsight, they were never going to say, “Featuring Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and introducing John Thomson.” I didnt have the profile, he said. Advertisement Advertisement
I can do any accent – my gift is voices – so its annoying when they go with profile over ability in voice work. Thats the one that got away.
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We can imagine why the knock back would leave him feeling a little blue but if hed made it in Hollywood, Thomson might never have been able to reprise his Cold Feet role and inspire millions of viewers with a moving mental health storyline featuring his character Pete Gifford.
I didnt go into this job for fame and recognition, but the recent storyline I had on Cold Feet about Pete having depression was powerful, he admitted. The number of men whove stopped me and said, “I went to the doctor because of you.” Its so special.
Therell be plenty more tear-jerking scenes where that came from in series eight as one of the shows main characters is set for a heart-breaking cancer scare in episode one. Add to that the drama of someone being pulled from a canal at some stage in the series and it seems as though were in for quite a bit of drama when the gang returns to our screens.
Cold Feet series 8 starts January 2019 on ITV1.
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