The untitled Shrek film[a] is an upcoming American animated comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures, it is a sequel to Shrek Forever After (2010), the fifth main installment, and the seventh overall installment in the Shrek film series. The screenplay is written by Michael McCullers from a story by Chris Meledandri, who also serves as a producer. Eddie Murphy will reprise his role as Donkey, while Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas are in talks to also reprise their respective voice roles as Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Puss in Boots.
| Untitled Shrek film | |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Michael McCullers |
| Story by | Chris Meledandri |
| Based on | Shrek! by William Steig |
| Produced by | Chris Meledandri |
| Starring | |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A fifth Shrek film was initially planned back when Shrek 2 (2004) was released to financial and critical acclaim, 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. However, development resurfaced in 2014 until 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 June 2024.
The film is expected to be theatrically released in the United States in 2025.
Voice cast
Production
Development
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."[1] After the release of Shrek the Third in 2007, Katzenberg announced that the fifth film would be released in 2013.[2]
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.[3] 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."[4] 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."[5] In February 2014, in an interview with Fox Business Network, 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."[6]
On June 15, 2016, after NBCUniversal purchased DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke discussed plans to revive the franchise, as well as other DreamWorks films.[7][8] In July 2016, The Hollywood Reporter cited sources saying that the fifth film was planned for a 2019 release.[9] 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.[10] The original story for the film was written by Michael McCullers, based on his own idea.[11][12] 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.[13]
On November 6, 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.[14][15][16] In November 2020, Screen Rant reported that the fifth Shrek film was set for release in 2022.[17] On December 9, 2022, Antonio Banderas reiterated that a new Shrek film is still in development.[18][19][20] The film was set up in the mid-credits scene of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.[21] In April 2023, Meledandri confirmed a fifth Shrek film is in development, with the original cast 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]
On March 2, 2024, Meledandri was revealed to have written a new story treatment, as well as serving as the producer.[24] On June 24, 2024, Murphy confirmed that he had started recording his lines for the film, and that the film was expected to be released sometime in 2025.[25]
Release
The film is expected to be released sometime in 2025.[25]
Notes
- ^ Colloquially known as Shrek 5.
References
- ^ Linder, Brian (May 17, 2004). "More 'Shrek'". IGN. Archived from the original on April 12, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Partridge, Des (June 7, 2007). "More 'Shrek' set to roll". The Courier Mail. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "DreamWorks Animation Announces Plans to Release Five Feature Films Every Two Years". DreamWorks Animation. May 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Wloszczyna, Susan (November 26, 2009). "First look: 'Shrek Forever After': Fourth, final film is first in 3-D". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Eckerling, Debra (May 15, 2010). "We Asked ... Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke, "Shrek Forever After"". Storylink. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (February 24, 2014). "DreamWorks Animation CEO Hints at Another 'Shrek' Movie". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Lieberman, David (June 14, 2016). "NBCU Chief Looks To Revive 'Shrek' And Sales From DreamWorks Animation Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Shrek Movies: NBCUniversal is Planning More Sequels". Coming Soon. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Masters, Kim (July 20, 2016). "Jeffrey Katzenberg Plots Next Act as Universal Faces DreamWorks Questions". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 21, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ O'Connell, Sean (September 16, 2016). "When Shrek 5 Could Hit Theaters, According To Eddie Murphy". Cinemablend. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Heath, Paul (October 17, 2016). "Exclusive: Writer revealed for Dreamworks' 'Shrek 5' – 'Sky High 2' coming?". The Hollywood News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Shrek 5 Arrives in 2019". Screen Rant. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Lee, Ashley (March 31, 2017). "'Boss Baby' Screenwriter on Skewering Corporate Culture and All Those (Coincidental) Trump References". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "'Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Baxter, Joseph (November 6, 2018). "Shrek Reboot in the Works, Overseen by Illumination Boss". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ Pierce-Bohen, Kayleena (November 4, 2020). "Shrek 5: Everything We Know About The Movie So Far". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Fuge, Jonathan (December 8, 2022). "Shrek 5 is in Development, Teases Puss in Boots Star Antonio Banderas". Movieweb. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Bythrow, Nick (December 8, 2022). "Shrek 5 Gets Exciting & Surprising Update From Antonio Banderas". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Utely, Riley (December 9, 2022). "Could Shrek 5 Really Happen With Mike Myers? Antonio Banderas Offers Honest Update". CinemaBlend. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Why this 'Puss in Boots 2' Easter egg is great news for 'Shrek' fans". TimeOut. January 30, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Fuge, Jonathan (April 4, 2023). "Shrek 5 Now in Development, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy & Cameron Diaz in Talks to Return". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Shanfeld, Ethan (April 4, 2023). "'Shrek 5' With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy and More Teased by Illumination's Chris Meledandri (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Pierce-Bohen, Kayleena (March 2, 2024). "Shrek 5: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ a b McPherson, Chris (June 24, 2024). "Eddie Murphy Finally Delivers Huge Update on 'Shrek 5' and 'Donkey' Spin-Off Movie [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved June 24, 2024.