Someone has pulled the bogey out on the possible release date for the highly anticipated fifth installment of the beloved Shrek franchise.
An intern at NBC Universal listed the film as one of those scheduled to hit theaters in 2025, but quickly deleted the post.
The Twitter/X account @DiscussingFilm was the first to report on the post.
Chris Meledandri, 63, the founder and CEO of Illumination., which is tasked with rebooting the Shrek franchise, said Variety in April: “You look at what the core elements are that the audience loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements.
“And then you’re hard at work building story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast plays a big role in that.’
New Shrek: Oops! Someone let out the boogeyman about the possible release date for the highly anticipated fifth installment of the beloved Shrek franchise
“We expect the cast to return,” the director said, adding: “Discussions are starting now, and every indication we’ve had is that there is tremendous enthusiasm among the actors to return.”
Mike Myers, 60, has played the lovable ogre Shrek in all four films so far, alongside Eddie Murphy, 62, as Donkey, Antonio Banderas, 63, as Puss, Cameron Diaz, 51, as Princess Fiona and John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad .
And after the success of spin-off Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which grossed $484.6 million worldwide, hopes are high that Shrek fans will flock to theaters to see their old friends.
For what it’s worth, Murphy is more than ready to reprise his role as Donkey.
“If (DreamWorks) ever came up with another Shrek, I would do it in two seconds. I love Donkey, Murphy said ETalk in January.
“They made ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I thought, “They should have made a Donkey movie.” Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss, but he’s not as funny as Donkey.”
Meledandri said he was “thrilled” when he read Murphy’s comments, adding, “It’s a testament to his strong enthusiasm for a role he so brilliantly fulfilled and truly created alongside the artists at DreamWorks.” I found that comment very exciting.’
When asked whether Donkey deserved his own film, he replied enthusiastically: ‘Without a doubt.’
Loved: An intern at NBC Universal listed the film as one of those scheduled to hit theaters in 2025, but quickly deleted the post
Excited: Eddie Murphy is ready to reprise his role as Donkey. “If (DreamWorks) ever came up with another Shrek, I would do it in two seconds. I love Donkey, Murphy told ETalk in January
Eddie continued, “They made Puss in Boots movies. I thought, ‘They should have made a Donkey movie.’ Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss, but he’s not as funny as Donkey.
It might take some convincing to get Diaz to reprise her role.
The Charlie’s Angels star retired from acting in 2014 to focus on her family and raising her children.
However, it may not be as difficult as it was a year or so ago, when she returned to acting in 2022 to star opposite Jamie Foxx, 55, in the Netflix action-comedy Back in Action.
The film is expected to release sometime in 2024.