Eddie Murphy Is Ready to Revive His Role in This Fan-Favorite Animated Film From the 2000s
The actor said the fate of the franchise rests in the hands of the animation studio.
Eddie Murphy says it's time for another Shrek sequel–or maybe a spinoff series dedicated to his character, Donkey.
"I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey," Murphy revealed in a recent interview with Etalk. "You know, they did Puss in Boots movies. I was like, ‘They should have did a Donkey movie.' Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey."
The 61-year-old actor and comedian continued, "I would do a Donkey movie. I would do another Shrek in two seconds."
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When asked about why there hasn't been a Donkey-centered spinoff of the fan-favorite 2000s franchise, the actor suggested the decision has had nothing to do with himself or even other cast members for that matter. "That’s Dreamworks Animation. They have to want to do it. Dreamworks, if you all want to do it, just call me. I’m ready, I’m sitting and ready to do Donkey."
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As Deadline first reported, Puss in Boots voice actor Antonio Banderas hinted that a fifth installment of Shrek could be on the way. "The first time I did Puss In Boots, I was working on Broadway, so I did my first session there. I’ve done five movies now. There is probably gonna be another, and Shrek is probably coming back," he said.
The first Shrek movie released in theaters in the spring of 2001 and went on to become one of the highest-grossing films for that year–raking in over $491 million worldwide–and in 2020, the movie was inducted into the prestigious National Film Registry.
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The original movie stars Murphy alongside an all-star cast of comedians and actors, including Mike Myers (as the voice of Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Fiona), and John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad), among many others.
After the success of the first film, Dreamworks Animation went on to continue the franchise with three full-length sequels: Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). As well as an additional made-for-TV special, Shrek the Halls (2007), and two spinoff films, Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).