Why Shrek 5 Is Taking So Long: DreamWorks Sequel's Delays Explained

Summary Shrek 5 has been in development for years with no release date in sight, despite actor confirmations.

Puss in Boots spin-off may have delayed Shrek 5's production, causing a ripple effect.

Shrek 5 may be a reboot, adding complexity to the planning process and potentially launching a new series.

Shrek 5 has reportedly been in development for a number of years, yet the DreamWorks sequel is still no closer to being released. Confirmation of a fifth Shrek film first came in 2016, when actor Eddie Murphy revealed that he would be returning to the role of Donkey. Since then, there have been numerous hints that the movie is in the early stages of development, but nothing seems to have materialized.

The Shrek franchise started way back in 2001 with the release of the first film, followed by three sequels between 2004 and 2010. Every Shrek movie focuses on the titular character, a grumpy ogre who gets reluctantly pulled into adventures despite simply wanting to live a quiet life in his swamp. The series' popularity has also led to several spin-offs and specials. Despite there being talk of a fifth Shrek movie for many years, the project has taken a long time to get off the ground, and there's no clear answer as to why that is.

Related Shrek 5 Wishlist: 10 Things We Want To See With the upcoming release of Shrek 5, there are a number of things that are top of mind for what should be included in the highly-anticipated film!

Puss In Boots May Explain Shrek 5 Delays

The Spin-off Movie Also Had Trouble Finding Its Way Onto Screens

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As it stands, there are no concrete reasons as to why Shrek 5 has, thus far, failed to make it onto screens. After all, given the popularity of the franchise and the willingness of the cast to return, one would think that a fifth Shrek movie would be a priority. Nevertheless, an explanation for the film's tardiness may lie with the most recent entry in the franchise; 2022's Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

A sequel to 2011's Puss in Boots, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish serves as a spin-off of the main Shrek series and revolves around the titular character (voiced by Antonio Banderas) and his attempts to restore the eight of his nine lives that he has lost. Though the animated movie proved to be both a critical and commercial success, its production process was not without hiccups. A follow-up to Puss in Boots was first hinted at in 2012, but the film would undergo multiple changes in director and title alterations before it eventually made it to cinemas.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was the tenth highest-grossing movie of 2022 at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo).

Chris Meledandri, who is the founder of Illumination, served as the executive producer on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and was initially brought on board to fulfill the same role on a fifth Shrek movie. It would be fair to assume that the plan has always been for Shrek 5 to follow Puss in Boots 2 and, given that the latter's production took longer than expected, the Shrek franchise as a whole has been pushed back as a consequence. With Puss in Boots 2 now almost 18 months old, hopefully, the development of Shrek 5 will take some big steps forward soon.

Shrek 5 'Reboot' Status Could Cause Delay

The Movie Seems Like It Will Be Very Different From The Others

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While very few details are known regarding the movie's story or characters, it has been suggested that Shrek 5 may not be a direct sequel but a reboot. Screenwriter Michael McCullers, who has been tasked with writing the film's script, told the THR in 2017 that Shrek 5 will be "a pretty big reinvention." If it is the case that DreamWorks is planning to reboot the franchise, at least to some extent, it could explain why a fifth Shrek movie is taking so long to materialize. A reboot would, after all, require more planning than a simple sequel.

The fact that Shrek 5 looks set to be a reboot also means it could be the first installment in a new series.

Additionally, the fact that Shrek 5 looks set to be a reboot also means it could be the first installment in a new series. It's even possible that DreamWorks is planning to craft its own Shrek cinematic universe. If that is the case, Shrek 5 would be a small yet vital cog in a larger machine, and the studio would likely be keen to flesh the new franchise out in its entirety before releasing the first installment. Given the unpredictable nature of the current movie landscape, caution isn't necessarily a bad idea.

Source: Box Office Mojo