Talks of Shrek 5 have been heating up over the past year, so here’s everything we know about the project, from release date speculation to cast and plot details.
The initial Shrek debuted in 2001 and amassed more than $450 million in box office earnings. The lovable green ogre has since inspired numerous spin-offs and three additional main movies from DreamWorks Animation.
Shrek Forever After, the most recent major entry within the family series, hit theaters in 2010 and was intended to bid farewell to the iconic eponymous character. Nevertheless, speculation about a fifth installment in the Shrek series has persisted for quite some time, as enthusiasts have eagerly anticipated the swamp-dweller’s return to the silver screen.
Let’s get into everything we know about Shrek 5, including any updates about its release date, cast, and more.
Is there a Shrek 5 release date?
Shrek 5 is rumored to be due for release in 2025, but we don’t have a specific release date.
The movie was originally set to be released back in 2020, as per Eddie Murphy, but there haven’t been many updates about the project since.
In an interview earlier this year, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed a fifth movie with the original cast was in the works but there is no confirmation as to when it will begin production or release.
However, a leaked release window came from an unlikely place: LinkedIn. As shared by TMZ, an alleged employee of NBCUniversal, the parent company of DreamWorks, confirmed she was working on several projects. These included Wicked Part I and II, Despicable Me 4, and Shrek 5 – and she even said it’s slated for release in 2025.
We haven’t had any official confirmation from the studio yet, so we’ll keep this space updated if and when there is.
Shrek 5 cast: Who would be in it?
Although there hasn’t been an official cast revealed by DreamWorks, the interview with Meledandri suggests that the original voice cast could return for Shrek 5.
“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,” he said.
Here’s how that would shake out:
- Mike Meyers as Shrek
- Eddie Murphy as Donkey
- Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona
- Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots
In a recent interview with ETalk, Murphy said he would do Shrek 5 in “two seconds.”
“I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey,” Murphy said.
“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.”
In his newest interview, Meledandri said: “We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return.”
Shrek 5 plot: What would it be about?
There are no plot details for Shrek 5 right now. However, there have been a few bits and pieces that have been revealed over the years.
Back in March 2017, Michael McCullers, the popular screenwriter set to write Shrek 5, revealed that the movie is set to be a “pretty big reinvention” of the series. He also added: “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.”
Although that was five years ago, Mike Meyers said in May 2022 that he would be “thrilled” if he got the chance to do one Shrek movie every year.
Clearly, Meyers is more than ready to reprise his role, even if it’s in a somewhat altered Shrek universe. Whatever is coming next in the Shrek franchise, it might not be revealed for quite some time.
Is there a Shrek 5 trailer?
No, there isn’t a trailer for Shrek 5, nor is there any footage or images from the sequel.
We’ll update this space upon its release or further news.
That’s all we know about Shrek 5! In the meantime, be sure to check out our other movie hubs:
Avatar 3 | Batman: The Brave And The Bold | Beetlejuice 2 | Blade | Deadpool 3 | Dune 2 | Gladiator 2 | Mission: Impossible 8 | Mortal Kombat 2 | Beyond the Spider-Verse | Superman: Legacy | Thunderbolts | Venom 3 | Wicked