‘Shrek’ spinoff ‘Donkey’ gets 2028 release date with Eddie Murphy returning

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially announced that “Donkey,” a spinoff of the beloved “Shrek” franchise, is set to hit theaters on June 30, 2028. The film will feature Eddie Murphy reprising the role he has voiced since the original “Shrek” debuted in 2001, and will unfold as an origin story exploring how a donkey became Donkey.

The project will be directed by Charlie Bean, whose credits include “The Lego Batman Movie” and the live-action “Lady and the Tramp,” and co-directed by Matt Flynn, a story artist on several recent DreamWorks productions, including “The Wild Robot” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Rebecca Huntley, a producer on “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “The Bad Guys,” will produce.

Mr. Murphy had publicly telegraphed his enthusiasm for the project.

“I’ve always said I would do Shrek forever,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Donkey is a great character to play. I love the whole cast. So I was excited when it was like, ’Hey, they’re doing another one,’ and they want to do a Donkey one, too. I’m totally into it.”

The “Donkey” announcement comes roughly a year before the studios plan to release “Shrek 5,” also slated for June 30, 2027. That film will reunite Mr. Murphy with Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz in their signature roles as Shrek and Fiona, with Zendaya joining the cast as one of Shrek’s children. Franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn are directing.

“Shrek,” first released in 2001, put a spin on the concept of Happily Ever After, as told by a misunderstood ogre and his merry band of fairytale folk. The film became an instant hit, with nearly $500 million globally, as well as the first-ever Oscar winner for animated feature. It was followed by three sequels — 2004’s “Shrek 2,” 2007’s “Shrek the Third” and 2010’s “Shrek Forever After” — and two “Puss in Boots” spinoffs, which have collectively grossed more than $3 billion worldwide.