‘Shrek 5’ Cast Announcement Reveals Zendaya As Shrek’s Daughter, Fans Backlash Over New Animation Style
Courtesy of John Shearer/WireImage.
Zendaya is set to star in the fifth installment of the beloved animated series 'Shrek 5,’ playing Shrek’s daughter. All original cast members are returning; including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy.
Currently one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents, Zendaya's busy schedule includes major projects like 'Dune: Messiah,’ the fourth 'Spider-Man' movie, and the third season of 'Euphoria.’ She was also recently seen in the critically acclaimed tennis drama 'Challengers' by Luca Guadagnino, and in 'Dune: Part Two.’ Her participation in 'Shrek 5' is expected to inject a fresh vibrancy into the series, which has been a fixture in animation for 25 years, potentially attracting a new generation of viewers.
The film is being directed by Shrek series veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, alongside Brad Ableson, known for co-directing 'Minions: The Rise of Gru.’ Dohrn previously contributed as a writer to 'Shrek 2' and 'Shrek the Third', and was the head of story for 'Shrek Forever After,’ where he also voiced the character Rumplestilskin. Vernon has directed 'Shrek 2,’ 'Madagascar 2,’ and provides the voice for Gingerbread Man, also known as Gingy.
Gina Shay, producer of 'Shrek Forever After,’ and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri are producing the film.
The 'Shrek' franchise began with the Oscar-winning 2001 film about an ogre named Shrek, who falls in love with Princess Fiona, cursed to live as an ogre, with comic and heartfelt support from Donkey. The franchise is renowned for its humorous take on classic fairytale elements and has generated two 'Puss in Boots' spinoffs, helping it become the second highest-grossing animation franchise worldwide, earning $2.9 billion globally.
Despite the big announcement, fans have already noticed the difference in animation, with the studio departing from the early 2000s’ simplistic but magical style.
Watch a clip of the original style below (‘Shrek,’ 2001).
‘Noooo please WE WANT THE OLD ANIMATION BACK!!! This isn't fair, we have waited so long for this one!’ said a fan on Universal’s casting announcement on Instagram.
‘Please tone down the animation. You can upgrade quality without making them look airbrushed and overly polished. They all somehow look younger,’ said another fan.
‘Sonic it , It doesn’t matter if they got older.. they can show that in the old style.. PLEASE USE THE SAME STYLE AS IN FOREVER AFTER😭,’ said a fan, giving mention to Paramount’s ‘Sonic’ franchise, as the studio changed the animation style on Sonic after fan backlash.
Scheduled for a December 23, 2026 release by Universal and DreamWorks Animation, 'Shrek 5' marks the first mainline entry in the series since 'Shrek Forever After' in 2010.
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