Yep, you're not dreaming. It-girl and movie star Zendaya continues to keep us on our toes with her choices – sartorially and cinematically. And today it's been announced that the Dune and Challengers star is joining the cast of... Shrek (5, to be exact).
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. But while we love a little daring, 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
Who will she play?
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.
Who else will be in it?
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.
