Dreamworks Animation and Universal Pictures announced “Shrek 5,” set to release on July 1, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the franchise.
The film will feature the original trio of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz reprising their roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, though plot details are currently undisclosed.
“Shrek,” the original 2001 film, followed the ogre Shrek and his loyal companion Donkey on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower.
The tale took a twist when Fiona revealed she too was an ogre by night, a form she kept after falling in love with Shrek.
The franchise continued with sequels: “Shrek 2” in 2004, “Shrek the Third” in 2007, and “Shrek Forever After” in 2010.
After 13 years, fans are eagerly anticipating the return to Far, Far Away, while Mike Myers has fondly reflected on the films’ impact on his life, particularly their unique storyline.
“I love the idea of taking a fairytale and turning it on its head,” he told in 2022, “and having it be that all the traditional bad guys are good guys, and all the traditional good guys are bad guys.”
He continued,
“And I realized it’s a dramatic role. I mean halfway through I went, ‘There’s an emotional center here.'”
But more than anything, Shrek’s theme of acceptance is something he found he could relate to.
“You know the old joke, ‘I wouldn’t want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member.’ I have always felt that way,” he said. “The concept of going from a self-loathing ogre to a self-accepting ogre was meaningful to me.”
“I loved playing Shrek,” he added. “If I had to do one Shrek a year I’d be thrilled.”
While anticipating “Shrek 5,” why not grab some waffles and delve into the behind-the-scenes secrets of the first movie?
It’s a great way to revisit the magic and creativity that brought the beloved ogre and his friends to life on screen!
