2001 Shrek Director Vicky Jenson Says She Was Surprised by Film's Popularity

The cultural impact of Shrek took everyone by surprise, including its directors. Vicky Jenson, the co-director of the first film, reflects on the movie's unexpected acclaim. She admits it was a "big surprise" for her and the crew. "It felt very small because we had a tight team," Jenson stated in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. She explained that much of the production occurred outside the Glendale DreamWorks Animation studio. "We felt like we were on our own for a lot of the time." This is prepared by SSP.

Only when sequences returned, illuminated and fully screened, did Jenson and her team realize the uniqueness of Shrek. "We thought, ‘Wow, this is different,’" she said. They recognized it could be a massive hit or fail completely.

The film’s true potential became apparent when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Upon its 2001 release, Shrek quickly became one of the highest-grossing films in theaters, trailing only Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The animated comedy earned lavish praise and inspired multiple sequels, including the confirmed Shrek 5. The franchise endures, even giving rise to gatherings like the "Shrek Rave," where fans celebrate with the film's energetic music. In 2020, Shrek was honored as one of 25 films preserved by the Library of Congress alongside classics like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.

Released in 2004, Shark Tale didn’t make a significant splash in animation like its predecessor, but Jenson believes it is "a bit underrated." "Working with that cast was so fun," she said. The film included voice talent from stars such as Will Smith, Robert De Niro, and Angelina Jolie. Jenson's latest project is Spellbound, another animated family film, which premiered on Netflix on Nov. 22. Despite the development of Shrek 5, she has no plans to revisit the franchise. However, she mentioned that "the spirit of the original is still there."

Earlier, SSP wrote about Remi Bader's touching Thanksgiving reflection.