Summary
Eddie Murphy confirms that bothShrek 5and a spinoff based on Donkey are currently in the works. Murphy voiced the loveable, boisterous sidekick character Donkey in the filmShrekas well as its sequels. The most recent film in the mainShrekfranchise wasShrek Forever Afterin 2010, and since then the development ofShrek 5was confirmed.
Speaking withCollider, Murphy confirms the active development ofShrek 5as well as a spinoff based on Donkey. According to Murphy,Shrek 5has already begun shooting “months ago.“He also confirmed that aspinoff movie based on Donkeyis next up for theShrekuniverse. In terms of when the films will be released, Murphy expectsShrek 5is coming out in 2025 and then the team is “doing a Donkey one next.” Check out the full quote from Murphy below:
We started doingShrek 4or[Shrek] 5months ago. I did this, I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up.Shrekis coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do aShrek, and we’re doing a Donkey [movie]. […] No, not at the same time. I started recording Shrek, I think it’s coming out in 2025, and we’re doing a Donkey one next.
Will Shrek 5 & The Donkey Spinoff Be Successful?
The Franchise Saw A Recent Hit With Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Shrek 5has the challenge of picking up the franchise after over a decade. While the first twoShrekmovies, as well as their iconic soundtracks, are beloved, theShrekmoviesfell apart a bit during theirShrek the ThirdandShrek Forever Afterera.Shrek Forever Afterreceived a 57% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoesand an even worse 54% among audiences. This pales greatly in comparison to the originalShrek, which got 88% and 90% scores among critics and audiences, respectively.
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The Donkey spinoff will not be the first time thatShrekhas forayed into spinoff territory.Shrekfirst released a spinoff of the franchise in 2011 withPuss in Boots. More recently, they releasedPuss in Boots: The Last Wishin 2022, which was widely loved, with a 95% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.Puss in Boots: The Last Wishtook a more dramatic approach to theShrekspinoff story, covering real-life issues such as Puss having a panic attack. The Donkey film is bound to be a far less seriousShrekspinoff than thePuss in Bootsmovies.
10 Best Shrek Movie Characters, Ranked
The Shrek movie series introduced a variety of characters, of which some became the most popular in the franchise, even if some only appeared once.
As a result, bothShrek 5and the Donkey spinoff have unique pressures to do well. The main franchise ofShrekdeclined in its recent films, but was resuscitated withPuss in Boots: The Last Wish.Shrek 5, as well as the Donkey spinoff, are tasked to bring back the franchise to greatness and either match or top the esteem ofThe Last Wish. WithShrek 5likely coming next year, audiences will not have to wait that much longer to see ifShrek 5has succeeded in this effort.
