Shrek 5

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Shrek 5
Shrek 5 teaser poster 2024.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Walt Dohrn
Screenplay by Michael McCullers
Based on Shrek!
by William Steig
Produced by
Starring
Production
company
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • July 1, 2026 (2026-07-01)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Shrek 5 is an upcoming American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book Shrek! by William Steig, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The sequel to Shrek Forever After (2010), it serves as the fifth main installment and the seventh overall installment in the Shrek film series. The film is directed by Walt Dohrn and co-directed by Brad Ableson from a screenplay written by Michael McCullers, and produced by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Gina Shay. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will reprise their respective voice roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona.

Contents

A fifth Shrek film was initially planned after the release of Shrek 2 (2004) with a 2013 release date in mind. However, when former DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg decided to end the franchise in its fourth film, plans for a fifth installment were abandoned and Shrek Forever After was released as the final Shrek film. Eventually, development resurfaced in 2014 and Universal Pictures officially confirmed production of a fifth Shrek film when its parent company, NBCUniversal, bought DreamWorks Animation in 2016 with updates following from March 2017 to July 2024.

Shrek 5 is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on July 1, 2026.

Voice cast

Production

Background

Following the success of Shrek 2 in May 2004, then-DreamWorks Animation (DWA) CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg revealed that the Shrek story had been outlined into five films almost from the beginning. "Before the first one was finished we talked about what the whole story of Shrek is, and each of the chapters answers questions about the first movie and gives us an insight," said Katzenberg. " Shrek 3 and 4 are going to reveal other unanswered questions and, finally, in the last chapter, we will understand how Shrek came to be in that swamp, when we meet him in the first movie". [2] After the release of Shrek the Third in 2007, Katzenberg announced that the fifth film would be released in 2013. [3]

In May 2009, DreamWorks announced that the fourth film's title would be Shrek Forever After, indicating that it would be the last in the Shrek series. [4] Later in 2009, that was confirmed by Bill Damaschke, the former head of creative production at DWA, with him saying: "All that was loved about Shrek in the first film is brought to the final film". [5] Josh Klausner, one of the writers of Shrek Forever After, explained in 2010 the script's evolution: "When I first came onto the project, it wasn't supposed to be the final chapter — there were originally going to be five Shrek movies. Then, about a year into the development, Jeffrey Katzenberg decided that the story that we'd come up with was the right way for Shrek's journey to end, which was incredibly flattering". [6]

In February 2014, during an interview with Fox Business, Katzenberg hinted that a fifth film may still be made: "We like to let them have a little bit of time to rest", he said of the characters. "But I think you can be confident that we'll have another chapter in the Shrek series. We're not finished, and more importantly, neither is he". [7]

Development

In June 2016, after NBCUniversal purchased DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke discussed plans to revive the Shrek franchise, as well as other DreamWorks films. [8] [9] In July 2016, The Hollywood Reporter cited sources saying that the fifth film was planned for a 2019 release. [10] In September 2016, Eddie Murphy confirmed that the film was expected to be released in 2019 or 2020, and that the script had been completed. [11] The original story for the film was written by Michael McCullers, based on his own idea. [12] [13] When asked about the script for a fifth Shrek film in March 2017, McCullers said it featured "a pretty big reinvention" for the film series. [14]

In November 2018, it was reported by Variety that Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri had been tasked to be one of the executive producers of both the untitled Shrek film and the spin-off film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish , with the original cast potentially returning. [15] [16] [17] In December 2022, Antonio Banderas reiterated that a new Shrek film is still in development. [18] [19] [20] The film was teased in the mid-credits scene of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish with Puss returning to Far, Far Away. [21] In April 2023, Meledandri confirmed a fifth Shrek film is in development, with the original cast—Murphy, Mike Myers, and Cameron Diaz—in negotiations to reprise their roles. [22] Meledandri said the filmmakers would "look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved" and try to "honor those elements" in a similar vein to Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie . [23]

In June 2024, while promoting his film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F , Murphy confirmed that he had started recording his lines for the film a couple of months earlier, [24] expecting it to be released sometime in 2025. [25] In July 2024, DreamWorks announced that the film, tentatively titled Shrek 5, would be released on July 1, 2026, with Myers, Murphy, and Diaz confirmed to reprise their roles. [26] Walt Dohrn, who previously served as a story artist on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third , as well as the head of story and voice of Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After , was also attached to direct, with Illumination's Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson co-directing and Gina Shay co-producing with Meledandri. [1]

Release

Shrek 5 is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 1, 2026, 16 years after the release of Forever After and 25 years after the original Shrek film. [26]

As part of Universal's long-term deal with Netflix, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix for the next ten, and returning to Peacock for the remaining four. [27] [28]

Related Research Articles

<i>Shrek 2</i> 2004 DreamWorks Animation film

Shrek 2 is a 2004 American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon from a screenplay by Adamson, Joe Stillman, and the writing team of J. David Stem and David N. Weiss, it is the sequel to Shrek (2001) and the second installment in the Shrek film series. The film stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, who reprise their respective voice roles of Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona. They are joined by new characters voiced by Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, and Jennifer Saunders. Shrek 2 takes place following the events of the first film, with Shrek and Donkey meeting Fiona's parents as the zealous Fairy Godmother, who wants Fiona to marry her son Prince Charming, plots to destroy Shrek and Fiona's marriage. Shrek and Donkey team up with a sword-wielding cat named Puss in Boots to foil her plans.

<i>Shrek the Third</i> 2007 film by Chris Miller

Shrek the Third is a 2007 American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Raman Hui from a screenplay by Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Miller, and producer Aron Warner, and a story conceived by Andrew Adamson, co-director of the previous two installments, it is the sequel to Shrek 2 (2004) and the third installment in the Shrek film series. The film features Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Julie Andrews, and John Cleese reprising their voice roles from the previous films, along with new additions Justin Timberlake as Arthur Pendragon and Eric Idle as Merlin. In the film, Prince Charming is plotting to overthrow Shrek and Fiona, who have inherited the throne following King Harold's death. Shrek has no interest in ruling the kingdom and attempts to convince Fiona's underachieving 16-year-old cousin Artie to reign instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Animation</span> American animation studio

DreamWorks Animation LLC (DWA) (also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios or simply DreamWorks) is an American animation studio owned by Universal Pictures, a division of NBCUniversal, which is itself a subsidiary of Comcast. The studio has released a total of 49 feature films, including several of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, with Shrek 2 (2004) having been the highest at the time of its release. Its first film, Antz, was released on October 2, 1998, and its latest film, The Wild Robot, was released on September 27, 2024. They have an upcoming theatrical slate of films, which includes Dog Man on January 31, 2025, The Bad Guys 2 on August 1, 2025, Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie on September 26, 2025, and Shrek 5 on July 1, 2026.

Shrek 4-D is an animated 4D film based on the Shrek franchise created by DreamWorks Animation, itself based on the book by William Steig. It also is a 4D simulator ride attraction with motion-based effects and water sprayers located at various theme parks around the world. It is currently shown at Universal Destinations & Experiences in Singapore, and previously in Universal Studios Florida, Hollywood, and Japan. The Hollywood location closed on August 14, 2017, to make way for the DreamWorks Theatre attraction, the Orlando location closed on January 10, 2022, to make way for Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the Japan location closed on February 9, 2024. Outside the Universal parks, the movie was shown at Movie Park Germany in Germany from May 2008 until July 2011, and Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia from September 2005 until August 2010. A spin-off attraction titled Donkey's Photo Finish is located at the Florida venue while Meet Shrek and Donkey is located at the Hollywood venue. In Universal Studios Japan, the attraction is shown in the same theater as Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic, with the Shrek 4-D film shown for the first 12 hours of the day, and the Sesame Street film shown for the next 12 hours of the day.

<i>Shrek</i> (franchise) DreamWorks Animation media franchise

Shrek is an American media franchise of DreamWorks Animation, loosely based on William Steig's 1990 picture book Shrek! The series primarily focuses on Shrek, a bad-tempered but good-hearted ogre, who begrudgingly accepts a quest to rescue a princess, resulting in him finding friends and going on many subsequent adventures in a fairy tale world. It includes four animated films: Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010), with a fifth film, Shrek 5, currently in production for a 2026 release. A short 4-D film, Shrek 4-D, which originally was a theme park ride, was released in 2003. Two television specials, the Christmas television special Shrek the Halls (2007) and the Halloween television special Scared Shrekless (2010), have also been produced. Two spin-off films were made centered around the character Puss in Boots: 2011's Puss in Boots and its sequel, 2022's The Last Wish. Additionally, a stage musical adaptation was made and premiered at Broadway for more than a year (2008–2010).

<i>Shrek the Halls</i> American Christmas television special

Shrek the Halls is an American animated Christmas comedy television special that premiered on the American television network ABC on November 28, 2007. The thirty minute Christmas special was co-written and directed by Gary Trousdale and produced by DreamWorks Animation. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas reprise their roles from the feature films. This Christmas special takes place between Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. It grossed $16 million in home sales.
The title is derived from the title of the Christmas carol Deck the Halls.

<i>Shrek</i> 2001 DreamWorks Animation film

Shrek is a 2001 American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book by William Steig. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman, it is the first installment in the Shrek film series. The film stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. In the film, an embittered ogre named Shrek (Myers) finds his home in the swamp overrun by fairy tale creatures banished by the obsessive ruler Lord Farquaad (Lithgow). With the help of Donkey (Murphy), Shrek makes a pact with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz) in exchange for regaining control of his swamp.

Illumination, formerly known as Illumination Entertainment, is an American animation studio founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007 and is a division of Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal; Meledandri produces the films, while Universal finances and distributes them. The studio is best known for creating the Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing franchises, as well as the adaptations of Dr. Seuss' books The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; and Nintendo video games, starting with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me series, are the mascots of the studio.

<i>Scared Shrekless</i> 2010 film directed by Gary Trousdale

Scared Shrekless is a 26-minute computer-animated Halloween horror comedy television special, set shortly after the events of Shrek Forever After, that premiered on the American television network NBC on October 28, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Meledandri</span> American film producer (born 1959)

Christopher Meledandri is an American film producer and founder and CEO of Illumination. He previously served as President of 20th Century Fox Animation, and has worked as the producer for the film series of Ice Age, Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. In 2021, he joined Nintendo's board of directors after working with the video game company on The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Meledandri also collaborates with Illumination's corporate sibling DreamWorks Animation on reviving the Shrek franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Dohrn</span> American writer, director, animator, musician

Walter Dohrn is an American writer, director, animator, musician, and actor. He performed the voice of Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After (2010), as well as various characters in Shrek the Third (2007). He co-directed the film Trolls (2016) and directed its sequels, and voiced various characters in the franchise. He is directing Shrek 5, set for release in 2026. Dohrn has also worked as writer, director, and storyboard director in Season 2 of SpongeBob SquarePants, and he also worked on 2 episodes from Season 3. In 2020, Dohrn signed a deal with DreamWorks Animation.

<i>Shrek Forever After</i> 2010 DreamWorks Animation film

Shrek Forever After is a 2010 American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Directed by Mike Mitchell and written by Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke, it is the sequel to Shrek the Third (2007) and the fourth installment in the Shrek franchise. The film stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, and John Cleese reprising their voice roles from the previous films, with Walt Dohrn joining the cast.

Since 23 May 2003, DreamWorks Animation, an American animation studio, owned by NBCUniversal since 2016, has had an involvement in the creation and theming of amusement park rides and attractions. This article details the ventures of DreamWorks Animation in amusement parks.

<i>Puss in Boots: The Last Wish</i> 2022 DreamWorks Animation film

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a 2022 American animated adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The sequel to the spin-off film Puss in Boots (2011) and the sixth installment of the Shrek film series, the film was directed by Joel Crawford, co-directed by Januel Mercado, and written by Paul Fisher, Tommy Swerdlow, and Tom Wheeler. Based on the character introduced in Shrek 2 (2004) and inspired by the fairy tale of the same name, the voice cast includes Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek reprising their respective roles as the titular character and Kitty Softpaws, with new additions to the cast including Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, John Mulaney, and Wagner Moura. The story follows Puss in Boots, who teams up with Kitty Softpaws and Perrito to find the Last Wish of the fallen Wishing Star to restore eight of his nine lives. They race against other fairy tale characters seeking the same treasure, while a sinister wolf hunts Puss himself.

References

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  28. ↑ Moon, Mariella (July 14, 2021). "Netflix extends exclusive rights to Universal's animated films in the US". Engadget . Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
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