Eddie Murphy reveals major ‘Shrek 5’ update — and confirms a Donkey spinoff
Huge news for the “Shrek” fans.
Eddie Murphy confirmed that he’s already begun voice work on the upcoming fifth movie from the animated film franchise.
“We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” the actor, 63, told Collider in an interview published Monday.
“I did this, I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up,” he added.
But that’s not all!
Murphy also confirmed that he’s going to star in a spinoff based on his “Shrek” character Donkey.
“Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek,’ and we’re doing a Donkey [movie],” he shared.
Murphy added: “I started recording ‘Shrek,’ I think it’s coming out in 2025, and we’re doing a Donkey one next.”
DreamWorks Animation Studios, which produces the “Shrek” films, have not confirmed that Murphy’s updates are true.
Murphy voiced Shrek’s faithful donkey sidekick in all four “Shrek” films.
The other cast members include Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots.
The beloved franchise started with 2001’s “Shrek” and spawned three sequels — 2004’s “Shrek 2,” 2007’s “Shrek the Third” and 2010’s “Shrek Forever After.”
There’s also been two spinoffs based on Banderas’ character — 2011’s “Puss in Boots” and 2022’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
In April, Illumination CEO and founder Chris Meledandri confirmed that “Shrek 5” was in the works with the original cast in talks to return.
“We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return,” Meledandri told Variety.
He hinted at a Donkey spinoff at the time, saying that “without question” the character could support his own film, like Puss in Boots did.
In January, Murphy expressed his desire to reprise his role as Donkey.
“If [DreamWorks] ever came with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey,” the comedian said in an interview with Variety. “They did ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I was like, ‘They should have done a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots.’ I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.”
Myers, 61, has spoken out about returning to the franchise as well.
“There’s an emotional center there,” he said to GQ in 2022 about playing Shrek. “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. The concept of going from a self-loathing ogre to a self-accepting ogre was meaningful to me.”
He added: “I love playing Shrek. If I had to do one ‘Shrek’ a year I’d be thrilled.”
So far, the “Shrek” franchise has grossed more than $4 billion at the worldwide box office.
