Universal and DreamWorks have set June 30, 2028 as the release date for "Donkey," a Shrek spinoff centered on the franchise's chatty sidekick. Eddie Murphy returns to voice the character in what's being billed as an origin story exploring how a donkey became Donkey. The film will be directed by Charlie Bean ("The Lego Ninjago Movie") and produced by Rebecca Huntley ("Kung Fu Panda 4").
This marks the franchise's second spinoff character to get their own origin treatment, following the successful "Puss in Boots" films. The announcement comes a year after "Shrek 5" is slated to arrive in summer 2027 with the core cast returning, signaling DreamWorks' long-term commitment to expanding the Far, Far Away universe that has collectively grossed over $3 billion worldwide. Murphy's return ensures continuity with one of animation's most iconic voice performances.
The original 2000 "Shrek" was the first film ever to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature when the category was introduced.