After years of stealing scenes with rapid-fire jokes and relentless optimism, Donkey is finally getting his own spotlight. DreamWorks and Universal have confirmed that Donkey, the long-rumoured Shrek spin-off centred on the franchise’s chatty sidekick, will arrive in cinemas on June 30, 2028.
Eddie Murphy is returning to voice the character, with the film exploring Donkey’s origin story and how he became the unlikely companion audiences first met in 2001.
The announcement comes as DreamWorks continues to expand the Shrek universe after years of relative quiet. Before Donkey reaches cinemas, Shrek 5 is scheduled for release in June 2027, reuniting Mike Myers, Murphy and Cameron Diaz as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona, while Zendaya joins the cast in a new role.
Rather than revisiting familiar adventures in Far Far Away, Donkey shifts the focus to one of the franchise’s most recognisable supporting characters. Murphy had previously hinted that the film would also explore Donkey’s family life with Dragon and their unusual children. However, the newly announced project is officially described as an origin story.
Charlie Bean, whose previous directing credits include The Lego Ninjago Movie and the live-action Lady and the Tramp, will direct the film. Rebecca Huntley will produce, with Matt Flynn serving as co-director.
The move follows the blueprint established by Puss in Boots, which successfully proved that Shrek’s supporting characters could carry their own stories. While Donkey has remained one of the franchise’s defining personalities, this marks the first time the character will headline a feature-length film.
It’s also another sign that DreamWorks sees plenty of life left in the fairy-tale franchise. Since the original Shrek debuted in 2001, the series has grown to include four main films and two Puss in Boots spin-offs, collectively generating billions at the global box office and cementing its place as one of animation’s most enduring franchises. With Shrek 5 arriving a year earlier, audiences won’t have to wait long before returning to Far Far Away.
