‘Donkey’ Spinoff from ‘Shrek’ Gets Release Date with Eddie Murphy Returning

The universe of ‘Shrek’ is expanding once more, and this time, one of its most beloved characters is set to star in his own film. Universal and DreamWorks Animation have confirmed that ‘Donkey’, a spinoff centered on Shrek’s iconic talking sidekick, will hit theaters on June 30, 2028.

Eddie Murphy will reprise his role as Donkey, a character he has voiced since the original ‘Shrek’ movie debuted in 2000. This upcoming film will delve into Donkey’s backstory, showcasing how the endearing character evolved into the loud, humorous, and loyal friend that fans adore.

This announcement comes as DreamWorks continues to broaden the ‘Shrek’ universe with new projects. After years of supporting Shrek and appearing in various films, Donkey is finally stepping into the spotlight for his own adventure.

‘Donkey’ will be directed by Charlie Bean, known for his work on ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ and the live-action ‘Lady and the Tramp’. The film will be produced by Rebecca Huntley, recognized for her contributions to ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ and ‘The Bad Guys’. Matt Flynn will co-direct, bringing his experience as a story artist on several DreamWorks projects, including ‘The Wild Robot’, ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’, and ‘The Bad Guys 2’.

The new film is anticipated to maintain the humor and fantasy elements that made the ‘Shrek’ franchise a global sensation. While specific plot details remain scarce, the story will focus on Donkey’s journey prior to meeting Shrek and joining the crew in Far, Far Away.

Before ‘Donkey’ arrives, fans can look forward to returning to the main franchise with ‘Shrek 5’, set to premiere in summer 2027. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will reprise their roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, with Zendaya also joining the cast for this next chapter.

‘Shrek 5’ will be helmed by Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn, both of whom have ties to the franchise. The film will continue the adventures of the characters that helped make the original ‘Shrek’ one of the most successful animated franchises in history.

The original ‘Shrek’ movie revolutionized animated films when it premiered in 2000, offering a fresh take on classic fairy tales through the story of an ogre seeking a quiet life who finds himself embroiled in a grand adventure. It became a massive success, grossing nearly $500 million globally and winning the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The success of ‘Shrek’ led to three direct sequels: ‘Shrek 2’ in 2004, ‘Shrek the Third’ in 2007, and ‘Shrek Forever After’ in 2010. The franchise also expanded with the ‘Puss in Boots’ films, which followed another fan-favorite character from the ‘Shrek’ universe.

With ‘Shrek 5’ and ‘Donkey’ on the horizon, DreamWorks is reintroducing some of its most recognizable characters for a new generation of fans. While audiences will have to wait a few years to see Donkey’s solo journey, Eddie Murphy’s return hints that the character’s signature humor will be a central element of the film.

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