Independent News in the UK reports that when the DreamWorks behemoth Shrek 2 arrives for its UK bow on July 2, audiences will hear a slightly different version of the film than is playing in the US. It only boils down to two small (but pointless) changes, which sees the US’s Larry King as Ugly Sister 2 replaced by the supposedly more recognizable Jonathan Ross, while Joan Rivers’ showbiz reporter (a joke which would have worked internationally and is indeed heard in the UK trailer) will be re-voiced by the rather bland entertainment presenter Kate Thornton. This isn’t the first time DreamWorks have produced a local version of one of their films: Spielberg’s own Minority Report featured product placing specific to countries the film played in, while Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 2 swapped the American National Anthem for a “World Theme” in a patriotic moment. At least UK viewers will be able to revert to the original Shrek 2 soundtrack when the region one DVD is released later this year!

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