Shrek 5 is officially in development with a scheduled release date in 2026, Dreamworks Animation has announced.
While plenty of fans are thrilled to hear the news, some have expressed concern that it could end up being a recipe for disaster if not executed as brilliantly as they hope.
Several of the franchise’s original stars are set to return to the fold, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz – but there’s currently one notable name missing from the cast list.
The return of Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots has yet to be confirmed – but we’re holding out hope.
The new installment will be directed by Walt Dohrn, who has a long history with the franchise, having served as a writer and artist on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, and as head of story on Shrek Forever After, where he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin.
Reacting to the news, one fan called Mike admitted on X that he was terrified about what could be in store for Shrek 5.
‘I’m not gonna lie, I’m like actually scared out of my mind about this movie,’ he wrote.
‘If it’s good, the Internet is gonna meme literally everything about it. If it’s bad, it’s gonna be another Shrek the Thrid situation. We can’t win.’
However, the majority of reactions were extremely enthusiastic, with Michael adding: ‘Peak cinema incoming.’
‘You do not understand just how back we are. WE ARE SO SO BACK!!!’ Olly stated.
Meanwhile, an X account called @IsShrek5OutYet – which was first created in July 2018 – has begun a countdown already, writing on July 9: ‘722 days.’
Before the official announcement of Shrek 5 was revealed to the masses, Eddie Murphy previously revealed that he had already begun voice recording for the film.
‘We started doing [Shrek 5] months ago,’ Murphy told Collider in June.
‘I recorded the first act, and we’ll finish it up this year. Shrek is coming out and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a Shrek, and we’re doing a Donkey [movie].’
The Shrek franchise, which released four feature films between 2001 and 2010, has been a massive success for DreamWorks Animation.
The original grossed $487million (£380.8m) worldwide and won the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Shrek 2 was even more successful, grossing almost double the original and competing for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Although Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After received less acclaim, they still managed to gross enormous box office sums.
In 2018, Universal Pictures reportedly tasked Meledandri, the producer behind the Despicable Me franchise and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with overseeing a revival of the Shrek and Puss in Boots franchises.
Meledandri emphasized the importance of the original vocal performances to the franchise’s success, telling Variety: ‘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.
With Shrek 5 on the horizon, fans can look forward to a return to the enchanting world of Far Far Away, with the promise of more adventures and laughs from their favourite characters.
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