Shrek's Back, and He's Brought Zendaya! (But Is It *Actually* Good?)
Okay, so buckle up, because things are about to get swampy. Shrek 5 is officially happening, and honestly, who saw *that* coming? I mean, we all kind of assumed it was over, right? But nope, DreamWorks decided to resurrect our beloved ogre, and they’ve added a pretty big surprise to the mix: Zendaya.
Felicia: Shrek and Fiona's Teenage Daughter
Zendaya's voicing Felicia, Shrek and Fiona's teenage daughter – the one we only ever saw as a baby in the previous movies. It’s a pretty smart move, bringing in a new generation of fans with a star like Zendaya. The original cast is back too: Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. It's a reunion, people!
A Seriously Different Look for Shrek
The movie’s coming out December 23rd, 2026, and the first trailer… well, let’s just say reactions have been…mixed. DreamWorks used this new animation engine called MoonRay, and it gives the movie a very different look. Some people think it’s crisp and modern. Others? Not so much. They're missing that classic, slightly rough-around-the-edges charm of the originals. I get it; nostalgia’s a powerful thing.
And then there’s the trailer itself. It shows Shrek and Donkey scrolling through a medieval version of TikTok – complete with memes and a shirtless Shrek. It’s…a choice. Let's just say it hasn't exactly been universally praised. It kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck. Universal Pictures even disabled YouTube comments and hid the dislike count. Ouch.
Zendaya's Packed Schedule and the Big Question
Getting Zendaya on board is a huge deal. The woman is *busy*. Between The Odyssey, the next Spider-Man movie, and Euphoria season 3, she's basically superhuman. But she found time for this, which shows just how much buzz is around Shrek 5. That being said, this new animation style is a big wild card. Will nostalgia alone be enough to get people into theaters, or will this updated look turn fans off?
Will It Be a Triumphant Return or a Farewell Flop?
So, the bottom line? Shrek 5 is definitely happening. The return of the original voice cast and the addition of Zendaya gives me reason to be at least somewhat optimistic. But the early reactions are, frankly, concerning. Will DreamWorks pull off a miracle and make everyone happy? Or will this be more of a “remember when Shrek was good?” moment? Only time will tell. December 23rd, 2026 – mark your calendars.
