Donkey spin-off movie confirmed, as Shrek universe expands
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially announced a standalone Donkey film, a spin-off from the Shrek franchise.
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially confirmed that a standalone Donkey spin-off film is on the way, landing in theaters just one year after the highly anticipated Shrek 5.
The Big Announcement: A solo Donkey origin movie is officially scheduled to hit theaters on June 30, 2028.
The Return of an Icon: Eddie Murphy will reprise his legendary voice role to explore the character’s backstory.
Shrek 5 Details: The mainline pentalogy film lands on June 30, 2027, featuring a brand-new adventure in the city of “Further Further Away” and introducing Zendaya to the cast.
The Creative Team: Animation veterans from The Lego Batman Movie, The Wild Robot, and Kung Fu Panda 4 are leading the new spin-off.
Universal and DreamWorks Expand the Swamp with Standalone “Donkey” Spin-Off
The fairytale universe that rewrote the animation rulebook is expanding. Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially announced that “Donkey,” a spinoff of the beloved “Shrek” franchise, is set to hit theaters on June 30, 2028. The film will feature Eddie Murphy reprising the role he has voiced since the original “Shrek” debuted in 2001, and will unfold as an origin story exploring how a donkey became Donkey.
The project will be directed by Charlie Bean, whose credits include “The Lego Batman Movie” and the live-action “Lady and the Tramp,” and co-directed by Matt Flynn, a story artist on several recent DreamWorks productions, including “The Wild Robot” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Rebecca Huntley, a producer on “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “The Bad Guys,” will produce.
Mr. Murphy had publicly telegraphed his enthusiasm for the project.
“I’ve always said I would do Shrek forever,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Donkey is a great character to play. I love the whole cast. So I was excited when it was like, ’Hey, they’re doing another one,’ and they want to do a Donkey one, too. I’m totally into it.”
What We Know About Shrek 5
The “Donkey” announcement comes roughly a year before the studios plan to release “Shrek 5,” also slated for June 30, 2027. That film will reunite Mr. Murphy with Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz in their signature roles as Shrek and Fiona, with Zendaya joining the cast as one of Shrek’s children. Franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn are directing.
Anticipation for Shrek 5 has reached a fever pitch following the release of its first official teaser trailer, which showcases Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey embarking on a chaotic family road trip to a magical new city known as “Further Further Away.”
The sequel introduces a new generation to the ogre family. Zendaya makes her franchise debut as Shrek and Fiona’s teenage daughter, Felicia, alongside comedians Marcello Hernández and Skyler Gisondo, who voice her brothers, Fergus and Farkle. Behind the scenes, the film is being produced by Gina Shay alongside Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, promising a fresh, stylized visual direction that has already sparked massive conversation and debate online among nostalgic fans.
A Multi-Giga-Dollar Legacy
“Shrek,” first released in 2001, put a spin on the concept of Happily Ever After, as told by a misunderstood ogre and his merry band of fairytale folk.
The film became an instant hit, with nearly $500 million globally, as well as the first-ever Oscar winner for animated feature. It was followed by three sequels — 2004’s “Shrek 2,” 2007’s “Shrek the Third” and 2010’s “Shrek Forever After” — and two “Puss in Boots” spinoffs, which have collectively grossed more than $3 billion worldwide.
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