Shrek 5 has landed a star that may make other franchises green with envy.
Zendaya has joined the venerable animated film series as the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). She also joins Eddie Murphie, the voice of Donkey.
Zendaya is one of the most in-demand stars working today, with her upcoming schedule including Dune: Messiah, the fourth Spider-Man movie and Euphoria season three. Last year, she starred in Challengers, the well-regarded tennis drama from Luca Guadagnino, as well as Dune: Part Two. Her presence in Shrek 5 gives extra vibrancy to the 25-year-old franchise and could help bring new audiences to the fold.
The feature has a Dec. 23, 2026 release date from Universal and DreamWorks Animation, and is the first in the main series since 2010’s Shrek Forever After.
Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon direct, along with Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson. Dohrn cut his teeth on the franchise as a writer on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, and by as head of story on Shrek Forever After, a film in which he voiced Rumplestilskin. Vernon directed Shrek 2, Madagascar 2 and voices Gingerbread Man (aka Gingy).
Shrek Forever After producer Gina Shay and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri are producing the new film.
The Shrek franchise launched with the Oscar-winning 2001 feature that centered on an ogre named Shrek, who falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre. Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairytale tropes.
In addition to the main Shrek movies, it also spawned two Puss in Boots spinoffs, which all propelled the franchise to becoming the second biggest in animation history, with $2.9 billion globally.
Zendaya is repped by CAA Monster Talent Management and Granderson Des Rochers.