The world of Shrek is getting even bigger. Following years of speculation about additional stories from the beloved animated franchise, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures have officially confirmed that Donkey will headline his very own feature film.
Titled "Donkey", the upcoming animated adventure is scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 30, 2028, giving one of the franchise's most iconic characters a chance to step out of Shrek's shadow and take center stage.
Eddie Murphy, whose energetic performance helped turn Donkey into a fan-favorite character, is set to reprise the role. Unlike previous installments, the standalone film is expected to explore Donkey's early years, revealing how the endlessly talkative companion became the character audiences have known for decades.
The project will be directed by Charlie Bean, known for his work on The Lego Batman Movie and Disney's live-action adaptation of Lady and the Tramp. Producing duties will be handled by Rebecca Huntley, whose recent credits include Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys. DreamWorks veteran Matt Flynn, recognized for his contributions to The Wild Robot, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and The Bad Guys 2, will serve as co-director.
The announcement comes as DreamWorks prepares for another major return to Far, Far Away. Before Donkey's solo adventure arrives, audiences will reunite with familiar faces in "Shrek 5," currently slated for release in summer 2027. Franchise stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all returning as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona. Actress and singer Zendaya has also joined the cast, adding even more excitement to the long-awaited sequel.
Originally released in 2001, Shrek transformed the animated film landscape by offering a humorous twist on classic fairy-tale storytelling. The original movie became a worldwide phenomenon, earning nearly half a billion dollars at the global box office and making history as the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Since then, the franchise has expanded through multiple sequels, including Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, as well as the highly successful Puss in Boots spin-off series. With both Shrek 5 and Donkey on the horizon, DreamWorks appears determined to build an even larger cinematic universe around its most beloved fairy-tale characters.
While story details remain tightly under wraps, the prospect of finally discovering Donkey's mysterious past is already generating significant excitement among longtime fans. More information about the cast, plot, and additional characters is expected to be revealed in the coming months.