The " Shrek " franchise can certainly be considered as important as the best animated series of all time, and the latest news about it, even from a critical perspective, seems to once again demonstrate this. Since its unforgettable debut in 2001, the adventures of the grumpy ogre, the irritating Donkey, and the feisty Princess Fiona have become an irresistible source of entertainment for any film buff, thanks to the brilliant intuition of the duo Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson in reinterpreting the world of fairy tales with an ironic and humorous twist, with ample references not only to the tales of the Brothers Grimm and children's literature, but also to the critical issues and contradictions of the society we live in.
Featuring stellar vocal performances from Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, "Shrek" enjoyed a period of extraordinary success until 2007 , concluding the first trilogy after the release of "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third." The fourth installment, "Shrek Forever After," was less successful, with some critics deeming it below expectations and little more than a half-hearted recycling of the winning ideas employed in its predecessors.
Given these circumstances, it's clear that DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Animation have carefully considered the steps to take before the release of " Shrek 5. " Announced as early as mid-2024, the fifth installment, directed by the trio of Conrad Vernon, Walt Dohrn, and Brad Ableson, with a screenplay by Michael McCullers based on a story by Christopher Meledandri, faced several obstacles right from the preliminary stages. This is particularly evident in the various release date delays, initially set for July of this year, then moved to December, and finally further postponed to June 2027. The reasons appear to be primarily due to the fierce competition the title would have faced, starting with the current box office hit "Toy Story 5." But above all, based on initial impressions from some online users, it seems that it was the new stylistic direction that pushed the production company to reconsider its plans.
Indeed, the film's first promotional video sparked controversy early last year, revealing for the first time a visual style that starkly contrasted with the past, inevitably sparking the ire of more traditional fans. The controversy even led to a TikTok video in which the franchise's characters poke fun at their own appearance, appearing embarrassed and claiming they look terrible.
More recently, the second trailer, released in June, once again divided audience opinion. By more clearly showing the fifth installment's look, fan analysis highlighted a more cartoonish look, distinct from the more angular and realistic look that had characterized previous installments. While stylistic evolutions are largely inevitable, especially in light of recent technological advances, it's equally true that aesthetic changes could profoundly impact the perception of the franchise, especially after having previously stood out for its stark differences from, for example, Disney productions.
Meanwhile, the controversy has been temporarily put to rest with the official announcement of "Donkey," the "Shrek" spin-off centered on Donkey, for which Eddie Murphy will inevitably return as his voice. Already teased by the actor last year, the film is scheduled for release on June 30, 2028, and will serve as a prequel to the main saga, revealing the character's still-unknown backstory. Animation veterans Charlie Bean, remembered for "The Lego Ninjago Movie," and Matt Flynn, who previously worked on titles such as "Wild Robot," "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," and "Too Bad 2," will direct. All that remains is to await further developments regarding the plot and the possible appearances of other familiar faces from the saga, which DreamWorks and Universal are continuing to maintain absolute secrecy.