Shrek 5 has been in the works for a while, but the lack of attention and constant pushbacks means it might be too late for Shrek 5. The first installment of Shrek was a huge success and led to three sequels and a spin-off with the Puss in Boots movies, as well as a musical, video games, and plenty of merchandise. Although Shrek the Third and Shrek: Forever After are not as critically acclaimed, the franchise as a whole is beloved by audiences and still very popular.
Originally announced in 2016, Shrek 5 has been confirmed for a while with delays meaning audiences are not quite certain about its release, or production at all. In 2017, writer Michael McCullers revealed he had already finished the script, and it was in development, with a big reinvention of the franchise (via The Hollywood Reporter). In its prime, Shrek movies were being released every three years and created a universe that fans adore, with characters such as Shrek (Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas).
Shrek kept up its sarcastic humor and clever twist on fairy tales and myths throughout the franchise, but the delays and lack of information on Shrek 5 are causing little interest in the movie. Shrek the Third and Shrek: Forever After continue the storyline from the more favored first two Shrek movies but the series’ success drops drastically after the first two, particularly critically. Combining this with the delay of Shrek 5, continuing the story from Shrek: Forever After could make it a flop even with the beloved characters. If Shrek 5 is reinvented, Michael McCullers suggests, moving it away from the original four films as Puss In Boots does, then Shrek 5 may be a success with its originality. However, it could still be too late for Shrek 5 as it was set to release in September 2022 and audiences still know little about the production.
Why Shrek 5 Is Taking So Long? Delays Explained
Shrek 5 has been in development with a finished script for years, and DreamWorks’ other franchises are producing sequels such as Kung Fu Panda, which makes it weirder that Shrek 5 has not been released yet. As with many productions, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled production of Shrek 5 and pushed back its release. The script and plot are being closely guarded which could be the reason for the lack of information on Shrek 5, but it does not explain its production delays.
Aside from the pandemic, news of why Shrek 5 is delayed is under wraps. The script has been ready for a long time which could mean some revisions are needed, especially as those working on Shrek 5 changes. Plus, with such big boots to fill, producers will want the film to be perfect to ensure its success, and with Universal acquiring DreamWorks, they will not want to damage Shrek’s legacy with a poor fifth installment. If a fifth Shrek movie is still set to be released, as Mike Myer’s Shrek comments suggest, audiences can hope they will receive a completely new story, and it will not be too late for Shrek 5 to be successful.
