SHREK 5 with original cast, Donkey spin-off starring Eddie Murphy, sequels to SING and DESPICABLE ME all teased

Founder and CEO of Illumination Chris Meledandri is juggling several new films and sequels between its highly anticipated upcoming release this week, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. These new projects range from follow-ups to his own Sing, Despicable Me AND The secret life of pets franchise, as well as original films like this fall’s one Migrationthe story of a family of ducks who live in a New England pond and no longer have to migrate because the winters are milder.

In addition to running Illumination, Meledandri also serves as a creative partner at DreamWorks Animation as it looks to reboot the Shrek franchise. He told Variety that he’d love to see the film’s original voice cast (which includes Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz AND Eddie Murphy) For Shrek 5.

While there are no deals in place, he said negotiations with the actors are going well. “We expect the cast to return. Talks are starting now, and every indication we’ve gotten is that there’s tremendous excitement from actors to return,” she said.

After the success of 2022 Shrek sequel to the spin-off Puss in Boots: The Last WishEddie Murphy said in January:

“Self [DreamWorks] never came with another “Shrek”, I would do it in two seconds. I love donkey. They made the movies “Puss in Boots”. I was like, ‘They should have made a movie about Donkey.’ Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but it’s not as fun as the donkey.

Meledandri said he was “thrilled” when he read Murphy’s comments, adding:

“It’s evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he brilliantly interpreted and created together with the artists of DreamWorks. I found that comment very exciting.

When asked if he thought Donkey was a character that could support his own film, similar to the feline-fighting spinoffs starring Antonio Banderas, Meledandri replied, “Definitely.”

In all its depth Variety interview, Meledandri also teased the other animated projects that Illumination is preparing. He’s looking for a new way back into the world of dogs, cats, goldfish, and all other forms of pets.

“We’re developing a couple of scripts in the world of ‘The Secret Life of Pets’. While we’re not quite ready to start a movie yet, we are absolutely continuing to develop that franchise. One of the stories we’re developing involves a main character from the first two films, but introduces a new set of characters. And then another story that we’re developing is the ensemble. So we’re looking at it from different angles.

And Meledandri is also “deeply in development.” Sing 3, a new installment in his hit series about a group of animals who compete in a talent contest. “It will involve characters from the original cast, but it will take us to a new world,” she said.

I know my family will be thrilled to see virtually all of these projects moving forward! What will you be out to see?