For over a decade, fans of the Shrek movies have eagerly anticipated the return of their lovable green ogre to the enchanting kingdom of Far, Far Away. DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise, which first began with a big screen release in 2001, was a groundbreaking moment in animated cinema and amassed more than $450 million at the box office. This unique blend of clever adult humour and kid-friendly whimsy breathed fresh life into the world of fairy tales. It introduced audiences to a delightful cast of characters who defied traditional tropes, set to a memorable soundtrack, and delivered a powerful message of self-discovery. Shrek became an instant sensation, setting the stage for an epic journey.

RELATED: Shreked: Dreamworks Punished Animators By Making Them Work On Shrek

The Shrek Chronicles

The Shrek series continued to evolve with each new instalment, including Shrek 2 (2002), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010), with most of the original cast returning. Although the series of sequels wasn’t on par with the original film, each movie brought with it new story elements, adventures, and, of course, plenty of laughter. From Shrek’s initial encounter with the talkative Donkey to the mysteries of Fiona’s past, these films etched themselves into our hearts and left us yearning for more.

While the promise of Shrek 5 was officially revealed back in 2016, details about its development have been shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, there is good news for fans: Shrek 5 is indeed in the works and seems to be emerging from the shadows of development. The recent success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, a spinoff set in the Shrek universe starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek as Kitty, and Harvey Guillén as Perrito, has rekindled interest in the franchise, hinting at new adventures in the fantastical realm of Far, Far Away.

RELATED: Dwayne Johnson Is The Perfect Fit For A Live-Action Shrek Movie

The Fifth Film

The fifth installment faces its own set of challenges. One significant obstacle is the potential absence of Cameron Diaz, who has lent her voice to Princess Fiona, Shrek’s beloved, from the very beginning. Diaz’s portrayal of Fiona is a core element of the series, and her potential absence leaves a considerable void. While recasting in an animated movie can be less disruptive than in live-action, Fiona’s character is iconic, making her absence hard to ignore. The big question remains whether Diaz, who retired from acting, might make an exception for a voice-over role to reprise her beloved character in the fifth movie.

Adding to the intrigue surrounding Shrek 5 is the spectre of box office expectations. The underwhelming performance of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken in June 2023 marked a challenging moment for DreamWorks Animation. The film had a lacklustre box office opening and modest global earnings, making the studio cautious about original animated projects. This could potentially accelerate the production of Shrek 5. However, it also raises the stakes for the new instalment. Can a new movie live up to the high expectations set by previous Shrek films?

RELATED: House of the Dragon Is Really A Shrek Rip-Off. Here’s All The Proof

Chris Meledandri’s Insights & Eddie Murphy’s Donkey Movie Spin-off

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri recently shared insights into the future of Shrek. His comments have provided evidence of his strong enthusiasm for the franchise. While promoting The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Meledandri hinted at the possibility of a Donkey spin-off movie, sparking excitement among fans. The return of the original voice cast is also a beacon of hope, with Mike Myers showing tremendous enthusiasm for revisiting the role of Shrek, a character he made iconic. And if he’s in, there’s a good chance the rest of our fairy tale friends will be, too. So you can probably expect a lot of the original voice actors to return.

“When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome, and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations,” Meledandri told Variety.

According to a recent interview with ETalk, Eddie Murphy, who plays the beloved, extremely talkative Donkey, continued to express his love for the character, and that confirmed that he is totally onboard for another sequel. “I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey.”

“You know, they did Puss in Boots movies. I was like, ‘They should have did a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots.’ I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey,” the Coming to America actor continued.

RELATED: The Best Animated Superhero Movies

Shrek 5 Release Date

Initially slated for a 2020 release, Shrek 5 faced multiple delays, exacerbated by global events in 2020. The release date remains uncertain. If production commences in 2023, a 2024 or 2025 premiere seems increasingly likely. The shifting timeline poses a unique challenge, testing the film’s ability to sustain audience interest. During the franchise’s peak, a new Shrek movie graced the screens every three years, making this extended hiatus a true test of fan loyalty. 

As of September 2023, we have no official release date as yet.

The Plot

The plots of the new movies (because there might be a few in the works) are veiled in secrecy, fueling speculation. One intriguing theory suggests that Shrek 5 may delve into the challenges of Shrek and Fiona parenting a brood of unruly teenagers. Given their parents’ personalities, the teenage antics promise uproarious entertainment. On the other hand, there are whispers that Shrek 5 might be a standalone adventure, loosely connected to its predecessors. Screenwriter Michael McCullers, entrusted with the script, has remained tight-lipped about its contents. He has described it as a personal project with profound significance, hinting at a pretty new take on the Shrek story. “There’s been four movies and a lot of material, so the characters are pretty beloved and they’re great characters, but you also have to think of a pretty new take at that point.”

RELATED: Date Set For Chris Pratt Garfield Animated Feature Movie

While uncertainties persist about Diaz’s involvement and the film’s box office prospects, the potential for a Donkey spin-off starring Eddie Murphy, and the return of the original voice cast offer hope. Other characters we’d love to see return are Conrad Vernon as Gingy, Christopher Knights as the Three Blind Mice, Aron Warner as the Big Bad Wolf, Cody Cameron as Pinocchio and the Three Pigs, Julie Andrews as Fiona’s mother, Justin Timberlake as King Arthur, and Eric Idle as Merlin. Of course, Shrek and Fiona’s three children, Farkle, Fergus, and Felicia, would probably also need to be cast.

Shrek 5′s journey has been a long and winding one, but for its passionate followers, the prospect of returning to the beloved swamp remains as enticing as ever, even if it is with new places and new characters. And when you consider just how far animation and CGI have improved over the years, you can guarantee that a new film will look a lot better.

Tell us, are you excited about Shrek 5, or does the franchise not need another sequel?

Amazing New Details About Shrek 5 Revealed Written by Jarrod Saunders for Fortress of Solitude