The long-awaited Shrek 5 is finally happening, and it’s bringing back some familiar faces along with an exciting new addition. Universal Pictures has confirmed that Zendaya will voice Shrek and Fiona’s teenage daughter in the upcoming animated film, set to hit theaters this December.
A newly released clip from Universal Pictures offers fans a first look at Zendaya’s character in the upcoming Shrek 5. The young ogre appears to have inherited Fiona’s signature red hair and Shrek’s unmistakable green complexion, promising a fresh take on the beloved fairytale world.
The original cast—Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey—will all return for this latest installment, marking a long-awaited reunion of the franchise’s fan-favorite voices. Zendaya’s casting adds a fresh dynamic to the story, introducing a next-generation ogre to the mix.
Shrek 5 has been a long time coming. Talks about a new sequel first surfaced in 2016 when Austin Powers writer Michael McCullers was revealed to be working on the script. Initially slated for a 2019 release, the project went quiet for several years before resurfacing in 2023. That year, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri expressed his desire to bring back the original cast, and in 2024, Eddie Murphy confirmed not only his return but also the development of a Donkey spinoff.
The film was initially scheduled for a July 2026 release but has since been pushed to Christmas of the same year. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Shrek’s story, hoping for an improvement on Shrek Forever After, which received mixed reviews. With Zendaya joining the cast, expectations are higher than ever for Shrek 5 to bring the franchise back to its former glory.
