Shrek has been a staple in the world of animated cinema since the first film’s release in 2001. Fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting news of a fifth installment, and it seems that their wishes have been granted. In an effort to stay true to the original films, the creators of Shrek 5 are working hard to bring back the original cast. But that’s not all – talks of a Donkey spin-off have also been circulating, leaving fans even more excited for what’s to come. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of Shrek 5 and the potential for a Donkey-centered spin-off, and what fans can expect from the beloved franchise’s newest installment.
Earlier this week, Chris Meledandri, the CEO of Illumination and the director of the Despicable Me franchise, sat down with Variety to discuss the upcoming release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In the interview, Meledandri also teased the return of the original cast for Shrek 5, as well as the possibility of a Donkey spin-off film.
Meledandri, who serves as creative advisor for DreamWorks Animation, shared that the company is seeking to reboot the Shrek franchise starting with its fifth installment. He revealed that the team is currently in negotiations to bring back the original voice cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona.
“We anticipate the cast coming back,” Meledandri said. “Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return.”
The CEO made it clear that the team is looking to honor the core elements of the franchise that make it so beloved to audiences, while also introducing new story elements and characters to take viewers to brand new places. “The original cast is a huge part of that,” Meledandri emphasized.
In addition to Shrek 5, Meledandri expressed his interest in a Donkey spin-off film. He noted that Eddie Murphy’s character is “without question” a character that could anchor his own movie, and he acknowledged that Murphy has already expressed enthusiasm about doing another Shrek film back in January. At the time, Murphy told Canadian talk show ETalk that if DreamWorks Animation ever did another Shrek film, “I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey.”
Meledandri also commented on DreamWorks’ decision to do two Puss in Boots films but not a Donkey spin-off. He called it a missed opportunity and pointed out that Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which he executive produced, was released in September 2022.
Shrek 5 has been in development for several years now. In 2016, Austin Powers screenwriter Michael McCullers was reported to be writing the script for the film. Two years later, Meledandri was tasked by Universal Pictures to oversee the soft reboots for both Shrek and its spin-off films, serving as executive producer for Shrek 5 and the Puss in Boots sequel.
While Meledandri did not share any specific plot details or release dates for Shrek 5 or the potential Donkey spin-off film, fans will undoubtedly be excited about the prospect of seeing the original cast return to their roles in the beloved franchise.
As fans eagerly await the release of Shrek 5, there’s no doubt that the return of the original cast is a promising sign. From Mike Myers to Eddie Murphy, it’s clear that DreamWorks is working hard to capture the magic of the first four films. And with the possibility of a Donkey spin-off, there’s even more reason to be excited for what’s to come. While we may have to wait a little longer for these beloved characters to hit the big screen, it’s comforting to know that they’re in good hands, and we can’t wait to see what adventures they embark on next.
