It makes sense why moviegoers can’t get enough of the prospect of Shrek 5. When Shrek debuted in 2001, the world of animated movies underwent a permanent transformation. With hilarious trope-busting characters, a catchy soundtrack, and a lovely message of self-discovery, it cleverly combined sardonic adult comedy and pastoral, kid-friendly whimsy. It also placed a twist on the fairytale genre. Shrek 2 came out in 2002, followed by Shrek 3 in 2007, and most recently, Shrek Forever After in 2010. Shrek 5 has been in development since 2016, although there hasn’t been much news about it since then.
The fifth entry in the well-known franchise has been having a difficult time in development, but fans will be happy to know that it is still in the works at this moment. Despite changes to the plot and direction, it appears to be emerging from purgatory for a 2022 release. Here is everything we currently know about the upcoming Shrek film, which may end up being the most thrilling one yet!
On July 11, 2022, Kayleena Pierce-Bohen updated this page. There have been a few tempting tidbits of information for fans who have been wondering where the fairytale parody franchise has been for the past ten years, yet news concerning Shrek 5 is still slow to come by. For the upcoming Shrek film, there have been speculations of a revamp, but will it be a full reboot? For sure, only the Muffin Man is aware. Continue reading to learn if there will be a Shrek 5 release date, if the film will stick to its formula, or if it will introduce something entirely new.
Not A Lot Is Known About Shrek 5 Still
There is still a lot we don’t know about Shrek 5, even with additional Puss in Boots movies on the horizon. Behind the scenes, this might be the result of changes within the creative team and explain why nothing substantial has emerged.
To generate sufficient interest, more information must reach the general public; otherwise, the franchise risked becoming stagnant. It faces the risk of not being adequately packaged or marketed, which would result in the end of a once-loved series of films that hit the zeitgeist with a bang and innumerable pop-culture references.
Production Is Currently Stalled On Shrek 5
Shrek 5 development was halted by the Covid-19 outbreak, like many other Hollywood projects, with little known about its future schedule. Originally planned to start production in 2020 and then again in 2021, it may not even start until 2022.
Studios can continue with their planned productions as long as they have the financial means to pay for the daily fast viral testing of their personnel, a worry that Universal Studios may very well be pondering. The duration that the pandemic delays its release could determine whether the upcoming Shrek film is a continuation of a cherished franchise or a reboot for a change of pace.
Shrek 5 Could Also Have A Redesign
Split image of the original Shrek and the Universal Studios Shrek for the redesigned Shrek 5 animation
Redesigned animation may be used in Shrek 5 to give the characters a somewhat more realistic appearance than their more cartoon-like counterparts, according to recent rumours. There has been discussion on whether or not the presence of Shrek memorabilia in the park at Universal Studios Florida signals that the upcoming Shrek film will adopt the updated aesthetic.
It makes sense that the typically misanthropic swamp dweller would look nicer given that the new ogre is spotted at a part of the park where visitors can meet their favourite characters. Perhaps the character will undergo constant revisions based on fan feedback, much like the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Shrek 5 Could Be A Reinvention Of The Franchise
Shrek 5 is said to not continue the story that Shrek Forever After left off, despite there having been four previous movies. Instead, it can be a standalone adventure with only a passing reference to the series. Author Michael McCullers revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the project “has a pretty major reinvention behind it” that he can’t discuss but that may potentially veer into a remake.
Rebooting the movie would be challenging, especially if different actors were chosen to play the audience favourites. Longtime fans may be more receptive if it’s a standalone movie that only includes the characters in cameos and tells a separate tale in the Kingdom of Duloc.
Shrek 5 Could Be An All-New Shrek Story
Shrek was an angry misanthrope who wanted to stay in his swamp and avoid social interaction until a talking donkey convinced him to embark on a journey to save a princess, despite the fact that he may be one of Dreamworks’ best characters. Then he rose to fame as one of the best antiheroes of the 2000s, and after he wed Fiona and started a family, it appeared that even ogres could live happily ever after.
What, then, could disrupt the serene peace of their rural existence in a new Shrek film? Teenagers. DevDiscourse claims that Shrek 5 might centre on Shrek and Fiona’s chaotic parenting of a large group of youngsters. Their actions will undoubtedly make for incredibly interesting – and ornery – movies if they’re even half as obstinate as their parents.
Shrek 5 Could Star The Original Cast
Since the 2010 release of Shrek Forever After, the original cast has been eagerly anticipating the chance to continue the adventures of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and the other vibrant citizens of the Kingdom of Duloc.
For actors who have had to wait a decade for their wish to come true, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz made the amazing commitment that they would act in the next Shrek film whenever a script was finally available. Although Mike Myer’s latest remarks don’t offer a Shrek 5 release date, they at least show his passion for returning to the franchise “every year” if he could. This is wonderful news for the film.
Shrek 5 Is Intended To Reinvigorate The Franchise
The fact that Shrek made his debut more than twenty years ago indicates the potential for a franchise revival in Hollywood years. Prominent studios like Universal and Dreamworks claim that Shrek 5 was designed to do that.
It’s uncertain how much of Dreamworks’ original idea will still be present in the upcoming Shrek film after Universal acquired Dreamworks. Whatever direction Universal takes it in, it’s meant to excite both a new generation of fans and bring back old supporters.
Shrek 5 Might Have A Darker Tone
Because sarcasm has always been a significant component of Shrek’s sense of humour, some aspects of the Shrek franchise have always been slightly grim. In addition to being a reboot, Shrek 5: Rebooted appears to have a darker plot overall, according to a completely animated concept trailer for the film.
The Gingerbread Man and his associates also have a changed appearance, and the tone of the second half of the trailer, which emphasises torture and fairies being eaten, is much harsher. This trailer does a superb job at capturing viewers’ imaginations even though it probably doesn’t accurately represent what they will see in 2022.
Shrek 5’s Release Date Has Been Pushed Back (Again)
Shrek 5 was originally scheduled for release in late 2020, but as production wasn’t anticipated to begin until then, a release date of 2022 seemed more likely. The release date had been advanced even again to allow for a busy animated schedule because production still hadn’t begun because of precautions related to the global epidemic.
More than ever, it appears more likely that the upcoming Shrek film will have a late 2022 release date even if filming doesn’t even start until 2021. According to Looper, the movie will premiere in theatres on September 30, 2022, and on streaming services in November. Every three years a new Shrek movie was released at the height of the franchise’s success. It’s hard to predict whether excitement for the movie will grow with each subsequent postponement of its debut.
Shrek 5 Was Almost Cancelled Entirely
Shrek 5 came dangerously close to being scrapped entirely because of the ongoing discussion on whether the fifth movie in the series should be a reboot, a sequel, a remake, or a live-action production. Luckily, the franchise’s developers had five Shrek movies with enough plots and engaging characters to finish it.
However, because it is still unclear what the next Shrek movie will be about and how it will be presented, there is a chance that it won’t be cancelled (as long as it isn’t stuck in development hell for all time). If Shrek isn’t involved, it might be a spin-off with several Shrek characters.
Shrek 5 Was Almost Live-Action
As a result of the success of Disney’s live-action remakes of its well-liked animated flicks, there were speculations about Shrek 5 a few years ago that it would be turned into a movie. In the end, this proposal was rejected, which is good news for fans.
No one would have wanted to watch a live-action Shrek movie with a CGI version of Donkey and Eddie Murphy fused together, given the unfavourable reviews of a movie like Cats, in which humanoid-looking anthropomorphic cats significantly frightened audiences.
The Shrek 5 Script Has Been Ready For Years
For the past few years, the script for Shrek 5 has been finished by the author of critically acclaimed comedies like Boss Baby and other Dreamworks projects. Michael McCullers has briefly discussed the series in interviews for some of his other well-known franchises, but he hasn’t revealed much about the story itself.
He explained that the script is still very important to him and remains personal in the same interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Given that the script is currently more than a few years old and that so many members of the creative team have undoubtedly had to shift, adjustments will almost certainly be necessary.
