DreamWorks Animation’s X account recently sent the internet into a frenzy as it announced that work on the fifth instalment in the Shrek series has already started. The new film, which follows 2010’s Shrek Forever After, will see Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz reprise their roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, respectively.
While not much else is known about the film, a comment by Eddie Murphy to Collider in June places the start of production to around six months ago. In the same interview, he revealed that on top of Shrek 5, Donkey would also receive a stand-alone movie.
The Shrek series first hit cinemas in 2001. In it, the title character goes on a quest to save a princess from the clutches of a terrifying dragon in exchange for peace and quiet in his swamp. Joined by Donkey, it’s an adventure that every child growing up in the early noughties remembers well.
The film was a huge success at the time, grossing over $492 million on a budget of $60 million. It’s since spawned three sequels, namely Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, as well as two spin-offs, Puss in Boots and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
The Shrek series is based on the 1990 children’s picture book, Shrek!, by William Steig.