Donkey's Origin Revealed
DreamWorks Plans Donkey Origin Spinoff with Eddie Murphy Reprising Role for 2028 Release
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Key Points
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Zendaya is slated to voice one of Shrek and Fiona's children in Shrek 5, reportedly taking on the role of Felicia (the couple’s daughter) according to multiple outlets.
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The Donkey origin film is described as exploring Donkey’s family life, including his relationship with Dragon and their dragon-donkey offspring.
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Early loglines indicate the Donkey film will begin with Donkey as an ordinary animal, not a transformed human, shaping the nature of his origin story.
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Donkey’s June 30, 2028 release is timed to face off against Paramount’s live-action Call of Duty movie on the same weekend.
DreamWorks Animation and Universal have set a June 30, 2028 release date for Bleeding Cool, a Shrek spinoff focused entirely on Eddie Murphy's beloved sidekick. The film will serve as an origin story, exploring how an ordinary donkey became Donkey — the fast-talking, lovable companion fans have known since 2001.
The announcement comes alongside the already-confirmed Shrek 5, set for June 30, 2027. That gives DreamWorks back-to-back summer blockbusters in consecutive years, a bold bet on the franchise's staying power after more than two decades.
Eddie Murphy Returns to Voice an Origin Story
Eddie Murphy will reprise his role as Donkey, the character he first voiced in the original Shrek in 2001. Charlie Bean will direct, with Matt Flynn co-directing. Rebecca Huntley will produce, according to Screen Daily.
The film is described as the story of how a donkey became Donkey. Early details suggest he starts as a completely ordinary animal — not a transformed human. That shapes the whole nature of the origin, making it a true backstory rather than a fantasy twist, Vice reported.
Donkey's Family Life Takes Center Stage
The spinoff is expected to dive into Donkey's personal life beyond the Shrek films. That includes his relationship with Dragon and their unusual offspring — the dragon-donkey hybrids fans got a glimpse of in earlier movies, according to Vice.
This approach mirrors what DreamWorks did with Puss in Boots, which also started as a side character before getting his own standalone film. The Donkey movie would be the franchise's second major spinoff, building on that proven formula.
Shrek 5 Arrives First, with Zendaya on Board
Before Donkey hits theaters, Shrek 5 will open on June 30, 2027. The fifth main film will bring back the core cast and introduce new voices. Zendaya is reportedly set to voice Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona, according to multiple outlets.
Zendaya's casting adds major star power to the franchise's return. The original Shrek came out in 2001, meaning Shrek 5 will arrive 26 years after the series began. DreamWorks is clearly betting that nostalgia — plus fresh faces — can win over both old fans and new ones.
Donkey Faces Off Against Call of Duty on Opening Weekend
The June 30, 2028 date is not without competition. Paramount's live-action Call of Duty movie is also targeting that same weekend. That sets up a major box office clash between an animated family film and one of Hollywood's biggest video game adaptations.
DreamWorks is clearly confident in Donkey's appeal. Whether audiences respond as warmly as they did to Puss in Boots remains to be seen. Early reactions to franchise teasers have been mixed, signaling that the studio still has work to do to win over skeptics, Vice noted.
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