Photo Credit: Getty Images
Eddie Murphy has confirmed that "Shrek 5" is moving forward, along with a solo Donkey movie. The actor, who voices Donkey in the DreamWorks animated series, revealed this news during a press tour for "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley." Despite DreamWorks Animation not officially announcing the films, Murphy detailed their progress in an interview with Collider.
"Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's gonna have his own movie," Murphy stated. He shared that he began recording for "Shrek 5" months ago, completing the first act and expecting to finish it this year. "I started recording Shrek, I think it's coming out in 2025, and we're doing a Donkey one next," he explained, clarifying that they are not working on both projects simultaneously.
DreamWorks has been working on "Shrek 5" for several years. Trolls directors Wal Dohrn and Mike Mitchell hinted at a script by Michael McCullers in 2016. By 2018, reports emerged about potential soft reboots of the franchise. In 2023, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri mentioned ongoing discussions about a new Shrek sequel and Donkey spinoff, with hopes of reuniting the original cast.
Murphy's enthusiasm for the Donkey character is evident. In a previous interview with Etalk, he expressed his willingness to return to the franchise, stating, "I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey." He also joked that Donkey deserved a movie more than Puss in Boots, who has already starred in two films and a Netflix series.
The "Shrek" franchise debuted in 2001, featuring the adventures of the ogre Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and his companion Donkey as they navigate a fairytale world. The series includes four main films, with "Shrek Forever After" releasing in 2010. The franchise expanded with successful spinoffs like "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" in 2022, which received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Fans eagerly await more details about the plots of "Shrek 5" and the Donkey movie. Both projects promise to deliver the humor, heart, and layered storytelling that have made the "Shrek" series beloved for over two decades.
