DreamWorks Animation has more green in its future.
The studio announced on Tuesday that the beloved franchise “Shrek” is coming back to theaters with a fifth installment. What’s more, “Shrek 5” has planted its flag on a date two years hence—July 1, 2026, to be precise. The studio made its declaration via social media, deploying Smash Mouth’s “All Star” and its earworm herald of “someBODY once told me.” An ogre-ifi-ed numeral 5 then did a little dance.
Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024
Confirmed for the voices are Mike Myers, the titular gassy ogre with a pure heart, Cameron Diaz as his beloved Princess Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey, the wisecracking donkey. It is unclear if Antonio Banderas, who voices Puss in Boots, will make an appearance. The film will be directed by Walt Dohrn, who has been involved in the “Shrek” franchise since the second entry and has directed the “Trolls” movies. (He also voices Rumplestiltskin in the “Shrek” movies.)
“Shrek,” the first animated feature since 1951’s “Peter Pan” to open in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises around, with a $2.9 billion worldwide gross across its four features and three “Puss in Boots” spin-offs. The franchise, based on a fairy tale-tweaking picture book from 1990 written by William Steig, also includes television specials (“Shrek the Halls” for Christmas, “Scared Shrekless” for Halloween, etc.), a Netflix series for “Puss in Boots,” a dozen video games, some theme park rides, and a Broadway musical (“Shrek the Musical”) that is on tour right now with dates through next February.
The original “Shrek” won the Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards (beating “Monsters Inc.”) and has received nominations in that category for “Shrek 2,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” The fourth “Shrek” movie, “Shrek Forever After,” came out in 2010.
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