Shrek 5 officially announced, original cast set to return

DreamWorks animation has announced that Shrek 5 is officially in development with actors Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz set to return 25 years after the original Shrek hit theaters. The fifth instalment of Shrek will be released on July 1, 2026.

Walt Dohrn, who served as a writer and artist on Shrek 2 and Shrek The Third, will helm and write Shrek 5. He was also the head of story on Shrek Forever After, in which he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin. The film will be co-directed by Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru) will be produced by Gina Shay (Shrek Forever After) and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.

The Shrek franchise released four feature films between 2001 and 2010. The film is based on the eponymous 1990 children's picture book from writer and cartoonist William Steig. The 2001 film, directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, centered on an ogre named Shrek (Myers), who falls for Fiona (Diaz), the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre. Eddie Murphy voiced Donkey while Antonio Banderas voiced Puss in Boots. Shrek 2, Shrek The Third and Shrek Forever After was released in 2004, 2007 and 2010 respectively. The franchise also included the spinoff Puss in Boots (2001) and its sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).

Although the original cast is set to return for Shrek 5, Antonio Banderas' return as the Puss in Boots is not yet confirmed. The official plotline and details regarding other cast members is yet to be announced by the makers.