Eddie Murphy has confirmed that recording sessions for Shrek 5 have begun, and there’s a Donkey spin-off happening too.
Shrek is one of the most successful animated film franchises in history. With four films and the Puss In Boots spin-offs collectively grossing $4 billion, it is perhaps no surprise that Shrek 5 is on the way.
What is a surprise is how long it is taking to make. The last instalment, Shrek Forever After, was released in 2010 (although the last two Shrek films – while successful – were received nowhere near as well as the first two).
Now, 14 years later, production on Shrek 5 appears to be underway. Not only that, but once it is finished, work will begin on a Donkey spin-off film.
Eddie Murphy confirmed as much during an interview to promote Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the incoming fourth instalment of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, which streams on Netflix from the 4th July.
As reported by Deadline, Murphy said “we started doing Shrek 4 or [Shrek] 5 months ago. I did this, I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a Shrek, and we’re doing a Donkey [movie]”.
It should be noted that Dreamworks has not officially announced either Shrek 5 or a Donkey film. We reported last year that Murphy, Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz were in talks to return for Shrek 5, but no further news was forthcoming.
Murphy already has a packed schedule. He will play the iconic Inspector Clouseau in a new Pink Panther film. According to Variety, he and producer Jerry Bruckheimer said a few days ago that a fifth Beverly Hills Cop film is in development. Murphy has also stated on numerous occasions that he plans to return to stand-up comedy.
We’ll keep you updated as we hear more.
