In response to ogre-whelming early demand, "Shrek 2" has moved up its opening date to May 19, 2004, it was announced today by DreamWorks Head of Distribution, Jim Tharp. In addition, tickets for "Shrek 2" will be available for advance sale on the Internet, beginning on May 7, 2004, almost two weeks before the film's release date.

In making the announcement, Jim Tharp said, "I can't remember a time when we've felt more anticipation for a film from both the public and the press. The response to early screenings has been wonderful, so we thought this would be a great way to meet the demand to see the movie and to give audiences a way to guarantee having tickets in hand when they get to the theatre."

To buy advance tickets, moviegoers can go directly to www.shrek2.com , where they will have access to a portal that takes them to a site where tickets can be purchased. In addition, advance tickets can also be bought at any of the normal websites where movie tickets are sold, including Yahoo, Moviephone, Movietickets and Fandango.

As of May 7, advance ticket sales will be available for the entire run of the theatre engagement. In addition to bypassing long lines at the box office, advance ticket buyers can avoid the possibility of arriving at the theatre for a showing that is already sold out.

"Shrek 2" picks up the story of Shrek (Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) as Shrek and Fiona are returning from their romantic honeymoon. They are greeted by an invitation to visit Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away (John Cleese and Julie Andrews). With Donkey along for the ride, the newlyweds set off. Little did Shrek and Fiona know that their marriage had foiled all of her father's plans for her future ... and his own. Now the King must enlist the help of a powerful Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), the handsome Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and that famed ogre killer Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) to put right his version of "happily ever after."

The computer-animated comedy is directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, and produced by Aron Warner, David Lipman and John H. Williams, with Jeffrey Katzenberg executive producing. Adamson and Joe Stillman and J. David Stem & David N. Weiss wrote the screenplay from a story by Adamson, based upon the book by William Steig.

DreamWorks SKG was formed in October, 1994, by its three principal partners -- Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen -- to produce live-action motion pictures; animated feature films; network and cable television programming; home video entertainment; books; toys; and consumer products.

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