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TheShrekfranchise continues to grow with the announcement of a brand-newDonkey spinoffthat will see Eddie Murphy return to voice the beloved role. Beginning with the release of the eponymous film in 2001, theShrekfilm series has blossomed into one of the biggest animated movie juggernauts in pop culture history, due in large part to characters like Donkey. The lovable talking pack animal (voiced by Eddie Murphy) stole the hearts of fans with his silly antics and unflinching loyalty, and Murphy has returned to play the character in a slew of sequels over the decades.
The movies in theShrekfilm serieshave all been powerhouses at the box office, but the last main entry in theShrekfranchise came nearly a decade and a half ago, in 2010.Shrek Forever Afterwas the fourth installment in the series, and though its critical reception was lackluster, it was a big financial success. This prompted a pivot toward spinoffs, with 2011’sPuss in Bootsbeginning a new series centered around Antonio Banderas' titular feline. Now, another offshoot series is beginning with Murphy’s Donkey being the subject of his very own spinoff movie.
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The Donkey Spinoff Latest News
Eddie Murphy Confirms A Donkey Movie Is In The Works
Murphy mentioned that he would be doing that “one next”, referring to the spinoff, but with animated films having such protracted production schedules, there’s no telling when it could arrive.
More than a year after the A-list actor expressed his desire to star in aShrekoff-shoot, the latest news confirms thata Donkey spinoff is in the works. The news was broken alongside the reveal that production was already underway on the long-gestatingShrek 5which will see Eddie Murphy reprise his role as Donkey alongside his co-stars Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. Though Murphy had little to offer by way of specific details,his enthusiasm for the project is proof that he will be voicing the character in the spinoff as well.
Shrek 5currently has a release window of 2025 but no release date has been announced yet.
A timeline for the Donkey spinoff remains elusive, butbased on Murphy’s comments, it will likely take a while for the movie to materialize. Murphy mentioned that he would be doing that “one next”, referring to the spinoff, but with animated films having such protracted production schedules, there’s no telling when it could arrive. However, with the potential for box-office gold, DreamWorks may be incentivized to rush the spinoff into production as soon as possible.
Read Murphy’s comments below:
We started doingShrek 4or[Shrek] 5months ago. I did this, I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up.Shrekis coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do aShrek, and we’re doing a Donkey [movie]. […] No, not at the same time. I started recording Shrek, I think it’s coming out in 2025, and we’re doing a Donkey one next.
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Showing how much pull he still has in Hollywood,Eddie Murphy essentially spoke the Donkey spinoff into existence. The A-lister cheekily suggested that Donkey should get his ownShrekspinoff in 2023 followingthe whirlwind success ofPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, and DreamWorks listened. Along withShrek 5, DreamWorks also green-lit the Donkey spinoff with Murphy starring in both. However,little is known about the Donkey movie and a timeline of production likely won’t come for some time.
The Donkey Spinoff Cast
Eddie Murphy Will Voice Donkey
So far,the only name attached to the Donkey spinoff is Eddie Murphy, and the popular comic actor is set to reprise the role of Donkey that he has been playing off and on since 2001. At this juncture, it is impossible to speculate about the rest of the cast, and things likely won’t become clearer until plot details arrive.It’s unknown if characters like Shrek and Fiona will be in the spinoff, or if an entirely new ensemble of characters will be needed for Donkey’s standalone adventure.
The Donkey Spinoff Story Details
No Details Are Known About Donkey’s Standalone Adventure
the spinoff could follow an older Donkey as he finally tries to do something for himself and finds that he is capable of being the hero instead of the dutiful sidekick
Unfortunately,no details regarding the Donkey spinoff’s story have been revealed, and it will probably stay that way for a long time. However, it’s possible to speculate about what could happen in the movie, especially when using hits likePuss in Boots: The Last Wishas a measuring stick.The Donkey movie will likely isolate the titular character from other familiarShrekfigures, and either explore his past before the events of the 2001 movie, or send him off on his own adventure.
Little is known about the lovable pack animal before he turns up in Shrek’s swamp, and a story of adventure, tragedy, and humor could be culled from the few clues viewers are given at the beginning of the movie. On the other hand, the spinoff could follow an older Donkey as he finally tries to do something for himself and finds that he is capable of being the hero instead of the dutiful sidekick. Most likely, theDonkey spinoffwill be a mixture of both ideas.
Shrek
Cast
A solitary ogre named Shrek embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded castle. Accompanied by Donkey Shrek sets out to fulfill a bargain with Lord Farquaad.
