Will Shrek 5 Happen Now That Eddie Murphy is Up for It?

Plans for Shrek 5 were seemingly abandoned, whether due to poor critical reception of the fourth installment, because the story was already concluded, and its conclusion was good enough, or because of some internal problems within Dreamworks.

However, highly positive reception of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and the shout-out to Shrek films at the end of that movie raised the question of whether we might see another Shrek sequel, after all.

Eddie Murphy had already been asked whether he would like to bring Donkey back to life in Shrek 5. And as he told in an interview with Etalk:

"I'd absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I'd do it in two seconds. I love Donkey."

Furthermore, he indicated that he's open to offers regarding a potential Donkey spin-off:

"You know, they did Puss in Bootss movies. I was like, 'They should have did a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain't funny as the Donkey."

Of course, the decision to make another mainline Shrek film or a spin-off remains with the studio: "They have to want to do it. Dreamworks, if you all want to do it, just call me. I'm ready, I'm sitting and ready to do Donkey."

The fandom's reaction to this is largely positive.

Yes, a few people dread another sequel, and believe that it might ruin the series as a whole, by giving it an unsatisfactory ending. Also, many regard the news with a shrug, as an actor wanting work and money (all Shrek films, regardless of their treatment by reviewers, were commercially successful) is nothing new, particularly when work is relatively easy, and requires much less effort than normal acting.

But the dominant opinion can be expressed as: "On behalf of the world this is a non-negotiable for us he must do it."

As Dreamworks, like all studios, likes money, they probably are going to hear these voices sooner rather than later. However, for now there is no news about their possible plans for Shrek 5.