DreamWorks Animation is giving one of the Shrek franchise’s most beloved characters a movie of his own, with the upcoming Donkey spinoff officially scheduled for 2028. The announcement is exciting news for families who have enjoyed Eddie Murphy’s memorable performance as the wisecracking, endlessly talkative sidekick.
Mike Myers, who voices Shrek, recently shared his excitement about the upcoming spinoff, calling Donkey one of his favorite characters. Myers said, “I wish Donkey lived in my house! I love that character so much.”
Myers also suggested that he might make an appearance in the movie, although he isn’t certain whether Shrek will be involved. “I don’t think I’m in it. I might be. I’m not sure, but it’s long overdue,” he explained.
The actor also praised Murphy’s performance, calling his longtime costar a “genius.” Myers said he would be among the first people to see the movie when it arrives in theaters.
What Do We Know About the ‘Donkey’ Story and Cast?
Donkey is scheduled to arrive in theaters June 30, 2028, with Eddie Murphy returning to voice the title character. The movie will explore the origin story of how an ordinary donkey became the unforgettable character audiences know from the Shrek movies.
The story is also expected to feature Donkey’s dragon wife and their children, who are half-dragon and half-donkey. Murphy previously described the project as a “funny story” that would give his character an adventure of his own.
Charlie Bean will direct, with Matt Flynn serving as co-director and Rebecca Huntley producing. The movie will follow Shrek 5, which is scheduled to arrive June 30, 2027.
How ‘Donkey’ Fits Into the ‘Shrek’ Franchise
The spinoff continues DreamWorks’ expansion of the Shrek universe, which began with the original movie in 2001. The franchise has since produced four main movies and two Puss in Boots spinoffs.
The original Shrek earned nearly $500 million worldwide and became the first animated movie to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The franchise has remained popular for more than 25 years.
For families, Donkey’s solo adventure offers another opportunity to revisit the series’ themes of friendship, loyalty, and belonging. With Shrek 5 arriving first, audiences have two major trips to Far Far Away to anticipate.
