"Shrek" Gets Donkey Spin-Off: 5 Key Facts About the Beloved Character's Return

Eddie Murphy has officially confirmed: after "Shrek 5," DreamWorks is launching a separate feature film about the franchise's most talkative character.

The actor shared with ScreenRant that the story's already written, with voice recording starting in September 2025. The premiere is planned for around 2028. Here's what we know so far.

Donkey finally gets his story

Puss in Boots had two successful solo films ("Puss in Boots. 2011" and "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. 2022"), Shrek has four movies, and Donkey has... none. Now he's finally stepping out of the shadows.

According to Murphy, the story will center around Donkey's family — Dragon and their kids, those half-dragon, half-donkey hybrids who still surprise audiences as much as Shrek and Fiona's children. So this won't just be a comedy — it's a family adventure too.

The plot's written — and it's "really funny"

The script is ready, and Murphy claims it's genuinely "hilarious." While "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" surprised with its mature tone, "Donkey" might take a different approach — absurdity, boldness, and nostalgia for the original "Shrek" films.

Gray donkey smiling, donkey sitting in a chair — Frames from the animated film "Shrek" 2001

The plot remains under wraps, but there's no doubt about the main character's signature humor — it's always been top-notch.

The "Shrek 5" team is joining the project

The same team currently finishing "Shrek 5" will handle the spinoff — meaning the films will share visual consistency. But there's concern that Donkey's new look might not please fans, just like the new ogre family designs from the February 27, 2025 teaser that viewers heavily criticized for the character art style.

However, if criticism becomes widespread, the studio could adapt "Donkey's" appearance, just like what happened with "Sonic the Hedgehog" when Paramount Pictures changed the hedgehog's design after fan complaints.

Eddie Murphy returns — and not just as a voice

For Murphy, Donkey is one of his most important career roles. Based on interviews, he's personally involved in the process, not just reading lines. And if DreamWorks gives him more creative freedom, this could become one of the decade's most memorable animated films.

We've been working on "Shrek 5" for about two years now. We're still in the booth and we'll start working on "Donkey" in September

Eddie Murphy

This is DreamWorks' chance to reboot the "Shrek" universe

The studio is currently launching the franchise's second life: "Shrek 5," solo films, and rumored series. Donkey is a crucial part of this whole system.

Actor Eddie Murphy in a black sweater stands at a microphone and smiles — Eddie Murphy voices Donkey

He's an original character, not based on fairy tales, and through him the studio can take a fresh look at the magical world without being tied to familiar storylines. In other words, creators have complete creative freedom to come up with absolutely wild plots.

It looks like this will be something between animated chaos, fairy tale parody, and very strange family drama. Everything we loved about the first "Shrek." Don't let us down, DreamWorks! Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered the first "Shrek 5" teaser that fans heavily criticized.