It's not ogre yet! Shrek spin-off centred on Donkey teased after Eddie Murphy expressed his interest in reprising the role for a solo movie

It was revealed this week that a fifth film in the Shrek franchise is in development.

And now it's been hinted that there could be a spin-off film in the works, centring on the popular side character of Donkey.

The beloved character, voiced by Eddie Murphy, may be finally getting his chance to shine.

The Shrek films have already spawned two spin-off movies, focussing on Antonio Banderas' Puss in Boots.

And the latest Puss in Boots film, The Last Wish, released last year, became the highest rated in the franchise and has earned $478 million, so far. 

Now it's been teased that Donkey will take centre stage after Eddie revealed his eagerness for a solo film earlier this year.

Speaking to ETalk, he said: 'If [DreamWorks] ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds.

Speaking about the character he has given voice to in four animated adventures thus far, the 62-year-old said, 'I love Donkey.' 

'They did Puss in Boots movies. I was like, "They should have done a Donkey movie."'

He insisted: 'Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.”

Then this week, in an interview with Variety, Chris Meledandri, 63, the founder and CEO of Illumination, was asked about whether the character had potential for a spin-off.

He replied: 'Without question'.

Speaking about Eddie's keenness, he said: 'It’s evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he so brilliantly inhabited and really created alongside the artists at DreamWorks.

'I found that comment to be very exciting.'

It comes after Chris revealed the original cast of Shrek is in talks to return for the fifth installment in the franchise.

He confirmed that although no one has yet signed on the dotted line, talks are underway with Mike Myers, as well as Cameron Diaz and Eddie to reprise their voice roles as Shrek, Fiona and Donkey for another adventure.

Illumination has been working as a creative partner with Dreamworks on The Super Mario Bros Movie which was set to open Friday, April 4, and on the upcoming Shrek 5.  

'We anticipate the cast coming back,' the executive said.

'Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return,' he added.

The first Shrek, released in 2001, was a huge success and won the Oscar for Best Animated feature.