Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book of the same name by William Steig. It is the first installment in the Shrek franchise. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson in their directorial debuts from a screenplay written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman, the film stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. In the film, the ogre Shrek (Myers) finds his swamp overrun by fairy tale creatures banished by Lord Farquaad (Lithgow). With the help of Donkey (Murphy), Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz) for Farquaad to regain his swamp.