Eddie Murphy is open to reprising his role in another Shrek installment

Originally scheduled to release in 2019, DreamWorks has yet to confirm if there are still plans for a fifth Shrek film. However, if there is any chance of the film returning to the big screen, charming comedian and actor Eddie Murphy, who lent his voice to Donkey in all four installments of the animated comedy film series, has expressed his desire to reprise his role.

Eddie Murphy voiced the humorous Donkey character in the Shrek films.

Murphy made this revelation during a recent interview with eTalk CTV, where he discussed his new film You People and the possibility of returning for another Shrek film. When asked if he was interested in a return, the actor reiterated his love for the series and confirmed his willingness to voice Donkey again. In his words, “Oh, I’d be absolutely open. If they ever come up with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey.” He further joked that he would have preferred a Donkey-led film instead of Puss in Boots as the former is a funnier character.

Rumors of another Shrek film have been swirling around for a few years now. Antonio Banderas, the Puss in Boots voice actor, expressed his belief that another Shrek film will happen during an interview last December. In his words, “The first time I did Puss In Boots I was working on Broadway, so I did my first shoot there. I’ve done five movies now. There’s probably going to be another one, and Shrek is probably coming back .”

Jeff Shell, the CEO of NBCUniversal, also added to the rumors. During a recent earnings call, he said that his company’s acquisition of DreamWorks was the right decision. He further noted that Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which is currently having a huge box office run, offers a way back into the Shrek universe. While this is not a confirmation that Shrek will return, it does suggest it.

Murphy revealed his love for the character and said it would only take him two seconds to decide to reprise the role.

Shrek is a popular animated comedy film series loosely based on the 1990 children’s picture book of the same name by William Steig. The four-film series was a major commercial success, grossing a combined $2.98 billion at the box office from a combined $535 million budget. Although the first two films received good reviews, the penultimate and final titles received disappointing reviews.

Apart from the animated film series, Shrek spawned two spinoff films – 2011’s Puss in Boots and 2022’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – and a short – 2012’s Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos. It also spawned a short 4-D film titled Shrek 4-D released in 2003, and two television specials, Shrek the Halls and Scared Shrekless, released in 2007 and 2010 respectively.

For those who don’t remember, Shrek tells the story of a resentful ogre who lives alone in a swamp. However, his solitude is soon disturbed by the various fairy creatures banished by the ruler Lord Farquaad. To reclaim his swamp, the ogre makes a deal with Farquaad to save the latter’s love interest, Princess Fiona. This prompts him to go on a journey of many adventures with his soon-to-be best friend Donkey.

Eddie Murphy voiced Shrek’s best friend Donkey, while Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow voiced Shrek, Fiona and Farquaad respectively.

Incidentally, Murphy reprises one of his iconic roles as cop Axel Foley in a fourth installment of Beverly Hills Cop. The film, titled Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley, will be released on an unannounced 2024 date. The 61-year-old actor’s latest project, You People, is currently streaming on Netflix.