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Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey and the kingdom of Far Far Away are making their way back to movie screens.
While speaking withVarietyrecently about the upcoming animated filmThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri told the outlet that he and DreamWorks Animationintend to revive theShrekfranchiseand developShrek 5with original voice actorsMike Myers,Cameron DiazandEddie Murphy.
“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through withMario,where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements,” Meledandri told the outlet.
“And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places,” he added, noting: “The original cast is a huge part of that.”
While Meledandri said that none of the series' three main stars have signed on for a newShrekmovie yet, negotiations are underway. The producer toldVarietythat “every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return.”
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“I found that comment to be very exciting,” the executive and film producer added, noting that he believes Donkey could warrant a spinoff movie similar to the twoPuss in Bootsmovies, released in 2011 and 2022.
Myers, who voices Shrek in all four main films in the franchise, hasalso expressed interest in returningto the role.
“I loved playing Shrek,” the 59-year-oldSaturday Night Livealum toldGQduring an interview in May 2022. “If I had to do one Shrek a year I’d be thrilled.”
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Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the secondShrekspinoff starringAntonio Banderas,received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Filmat the 95thAcademy Awardsin March.
Varietypreviously reported in 2018 that Universal Pictures hadappointed Meledandri in charge of futureShrekprojects. There is not yet a timetable for when a potentialShrek 5may release.
source: people.com
