Ever since Dreamworks Animation was bought by Universal, there have been talks about Shrek 5. Last month, NBC/Universal chief Steve Burke said they had plans for Shrek 5, in order to create "new franchises". So, if you're upset, just know they're being honest about why they're doing this... money. Anyway, today it's been announced that Shrek 5 is official and is set for 2019.
This came as a shock to many people, as the last Shrek film, Shrek Forever After, was marketed as 'The Final Chapter'. Well, that film was originally 'Shrek Goes Fourth', as Shrek 5 would be set for 2013, with that film set to be the last film. Goes Fourth was originally about Donkey's evil twin, who would be voiced by Tom Cruise. However, months before the film's release, it was announced plans were changed, with Shrek Forever After set as the last film.
However, times have changed. recent Dreamworks Animation films, such as Rise of the Guardians, Turbo, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, and Penguins of Madagascar, were all box office flops. Meaning loss of money, and a number of layoffs. And their next release, Trolls, doesn't look set to be a success, with it coming out the same weekend as Doctor Strange. Just a couple months ago, NBC/Universal bought Dreamworks Animation and Dreamworks Animation CEO, Jeffery Katzenberg stepped down, but would still be the head of Dreamworks New Media. So all creative control would be given to Chris Meledandri, the head of animation studio, Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets. Which means this decision was not made by Jeffery Katzenberg, who made the descision of canceling Shrek 5 back in 2009.
But if you're not on board with the idea of Shrek 5, don't worry. That won't be the only Dreamworks Animation release in 2019. They will also release Shadows, a revived version of their cancelled project 'Me and My Shadow', and will be directed by Edgar Wright, the director of Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
So what are your thoughts on the idea of Shrek 5? Are you tired of Shrek? Are you excited to see the franchise return? And what about Shadows? Are you excited to see Edgar Wright go into animation? Comment below.
Shrek 5 and Shadows will be released in 2019.