Shrek 5 has been delayed from December 2026 to June 2027 by Universal and DreamWorks Animation, with no specific reason given. The film will feature returning cast members and new additions, and will be released less than a week after Sony’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, marking a significant shift in its release schedule.
An intern at NBC Universal accidentally leaked the potential release date for Shrek 5 in a since-deleted LinkedIn post, listing it among the movies hitting theaters in 2025. Chris Meledandri, the CEO of Illumination and tasked with rebooting the franchise, expressed enthusiasm for bringing back the original cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. Murphy has already expressed his willingness to reprise his role, while discussions are ongoing with the other actors. The success of the Puss in Boots spinoff has raised hopes for the upcoming Shrek installment, and there is a possibility of a Donkey movie in the future.
Talks are underway for the development of Shrek 5, with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirming that Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy are in talks to reprise their voice roles as Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey. Although no one has signed on yet, Meledandri expressed enthusiasm for the original cast to return. Diaz, who retired from acting several years ago, is expected to return to the franchise. Murphy has also expressed interest in a Donkey spin-off. The first Shrek film was released in 2001 and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.