The busy celebrity joins the cast, which also stars Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and Mike Myers.
Other franchises might be envious of the star that Shrek 5 has secured. As the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Zendaya has joined the prestigious animated picture franchise.
She also joins Donkey’s voice actor Eddie Murphie. With future appearances in Euphoria season three, the fourth Spider-Man film, and Dune: Messiah, Zendaya is one of the most sought-after celebrities working today. She starred in Dune: Part Two and Challengers, Luca Guadagnino’s highly acclaimed tennis drama, last year. Her appearance in Shrek 5 adds vitality to the franchise, which is 25 years old, and may attract new viewers.
The first installment in the main series since 2010’s Shrek Forever After, the picture is scheduled to be released by Universal and DreamWorks Animation on December 23, 2026. Along with Brad Ableson, who co-directed Minions: The Rise of Gru, Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon serve as directors.
As the head of story for Shrek Forever After, a movie in which he provided Rumplestilskin’s voice, Dohrn began his career in the franchise as a writer for Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third. Gingerbread Man, often known as Gingy, is voiced by Vernon, who also directed Shrek 2 and Madagascar 2.
The upcoming movie, Shrek Forever After, is being produced by Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination, and Gina Shay. The Oscar-winning 2001 film that introduced the Shrek franchise followed an ogre named Shrek as he falls in love with Fiona, the cursed princess of Far Far Away, who is imprisoned in an ogre’s body.
Donkey gave Shrek camaraderie, tragedy, and comedic relief; the movie was hailed for its lighthearted take on fairytale clichés. Along with the original Shrek films, it gave rise to two Puss in Boots spinoffs, which together helped the franchise reach $2.9 billion worldwide, the second-largest in animation history. Granderson Des Rochers and CAA Monster Talent Management represent Zendaya.