It’s been 13 years since Shrek last hit the big screen, but it looks as though we could soon be getting a fifth installment of the iconic franchise. Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, who is also a partner to Dreamworks Animation, told Variety back in April that he is looking to reboot Shrek with the original voice cast. Yes, that means Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy could be reuniting very soon.
“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,” said Meledandri. While there are no firm deals in place just yet, negotiations are well underway. And it’s no surprise that there is a keenness to reboot the lovable green ogre and his fairytale costars as there have been six films in the franchise: “Shrek” (2001), “Shrek 2” (2004), “Shrek the Third” (2007), “Shrek Forever After” (2010), and spinoffs “Puss in Boots” (2011) and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022). According to The Numbers, the movies have grossed $3.9 billion in total.
Earlier this year, Murphy, who voices Donkey, spoke to Etalk about his desire to feature in another Shrek film. “I’d absolutely be open. If they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey,” he said, fueling the “Shrek 5” rumors. “They did Puss in Boots movies. I’m like, they should’ve done a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots! I mean I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t as funny as Donkey. I would do a Donkey movie. I would do another Shrek in two seconds. . . . Dreamworks Animation, they have to want to do it. Dreamworks, if y’all want to do it, just call me. I’m ready. I’m sitting and ready to do Donkey.”
Meledandri responded to Murphy’s comments in his Variety interview, saying: “It’s evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he so brilliantly inhabited and really created alongside the artists at DreamWorks. I found that comment to be very exciting.”
Furthermore, Myers, who voices Shrek, told GQ in 2022: “If I had to do one Shrek a year I’d be thrilled.” It looks as though the stars are aligning, and we could be in for another dose of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and Lord Farquaad in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime: Alexa, play “I’m a Believer.”
