Which actor voices Merlin in the animated film Shrek the Third?

Eric Idle voices Merlin in the animated film Shrek the Third.

Merlin appears as a retired and eccentric wizard living in a woodland retreat. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots seek his help while trying to return Arthur to Far Far Away. Merlin’s magic becomes important when the characters need to escape danger and reach their destination.

Eric Idle was a founding member of the British comedy group Monty Python. His established comedic style fits Merlin’s distracted, unpredictable personality, and the character’s dialogue contributes to the film’s parody of traditional wizard figures.

Merlin is sometimes confused with other magical characters in the franchise, especially Fairy Godmother from Shrek 2 or Rumpelstiltskin from Shrek Forever After. Those characters are separate figures with different goals. Shrek the Third was released in 2007 and also features Arthur, who is presented as Fiona’s teenage cousin and an heir to Far Far Away.