Yep, you’re not dreaming. The latest on Shrek 5 just got way more interesting. In addition to It-girl and movie star Zendaya joining as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter, it’s just been announced that Skyler Gisondo and Marcello Hernández are also hopping on board.
The DreamWorks announcement — made via the film’s official social channel — revealed that Gisondo and Hernández will voice Shrek and Fiona’s sons: Fergus and Farkle, respectively. So yes, that also makes them Zendaya's siblings.
From Rihanna as a Smurf to Zendaya as a teenage ogre – it seems like animation is the new marker of success in Hollywood. Lupita Nyongo is even in the Oscar-nominated The Wild Robot. And Ayo Edebiri in Inside Out 2. While some fans might have been shocked at the news that an in-demand star like Zendaya would opt to lend her voice to the animated film, perhaps the most staunch of her fans would have seen this coming, as it turns out, she's actually a huge fan of the series. In August 2017, she tweeted about her fondness for the films, a sentiment that has resurfaced following the casting news. Her addition to the ensemble brings a contemporary flair to the beloved series, and her portrayal of Felicia is anticipated to add depth to the evolving family dynamics of Shrek and Fiona.
I watch Shrek too often in my adulthood.
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) August 4, 2017
So, who is cast in Shrek 5?
Zendaya will be lending her voice to Felicia, the teenage daughter of Shrek and Fiona. And honestly, it's pretty perfect. We know Z has all the sass and humour to convincingly play a rebellious young teenager. Joining her is Gisondo and Hernández as Fergus and Farkle.
The original cast members – Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey – are all set to reprise their iconic roles. We're yet to see if any of the franchise's other iconic characters make a comeback. We don't know about you, but we'll be crossing our fingers for an Antonio Banderas as Puss-in-Boots or Jennifer Saunders as Fairy Godmother return. Who doesn't want another rendition of Holding Out For a Hero? Maybe with a Zendaya duet?
When will it be released?
Sorry to disappoint, but we've got a while to go. The film is scheduled for release on 23 December 2026.
Watch the teaser trailer
In the recently released teaser trailer, audiences get a glimpse of the updated animation style and character designs. The clip features Donkey interacting with the magic mirror, leading to the reveal of Felicia.
