Everyone, pay attention! I’m going to make waffles! Shrek 5 is in the works, according to Variety, with original cast members anticipated to return to the animated fairy tale series. Chris Meledandri, creator and CEO of Illumination, discussed a variety of projects, including new episodes in the Sing, Despicable Me, and Secret Life of Pets franchises. Meledandri is also a creative collaborator at DreamWorks Animation, where a remake of the studio’s Shrek franchise is in the works. Shrek 5 is pursuing original cast members (Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy), according to Meledandri, who met with Variety to discuss Illumination’s latest animated picture, The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
“We expect the cast to return,” Meledandri said. “Discussions are now underway, and every sign we’ve received is that the performers are eager to return.”
This is an intriguing development, given speculations that Diaz is going to return to acting. According to sources, Diaz felt hesitant to return to the big screen after Jamie Foxx reportedly had a tantrum on the set of the duo’s next film, Back in Action. Diaz, according to a source close to the production, dislikes the 10-hour workdays and misses her daughter Raddix when she is away. Although these allegations have not been proven, Diaz is more than likely eager to reprise her role as Fiona in the Shrek franchise.
“It’s very different to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the key qualities are that people have liked, and you do your absolute best to honor those basic elements,” Meledandri said of the significance of cast chemistry. “And then you’re hard at work creating fresh tale elements and characters that will lead you to exciting new places.” The original cast is an important element of it.”
Eddie Murphy stated earlier this year that he would love to reprise his role as Donkey in a new film. Murphy believes Donkey should have his own film, but I’m sure he’d be down with Shrek 5 as well.
“If [DreamWorks] ever came up with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds,” Murphy said of reprising the good-natured ogre. “I adore Donkey.” They made ‘Puss in Boots films. ‘They should have done a Donkey movie,’ I thought. Donkey is more amusing than Puss in Boots. I mean, I like Puss in Boots, but he’s not as amusing as the Donkey.”
While no agreements have been reached, Meledandri is optimistic that main cast members would return for Shrek 5. Is the world ready for Shrek and his pals to reclaim their place in mainstream culture? What would the plot of Shrek 5 be? Would the movie pick up where Shrek Forever After ended? This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Shrek 5. Take note of what I’m saying. People will come if they construct it.
