Illumination Boss Confirms that 'Shrek 5' & 'Donkey' Spinoff in the Works

by Darian Scalamoni

    Though Disney will always be at the top of the pile for animation, Illumination has done a fantastic job establishing themselves as a top dog within the medium as well. Despite today marking the release of the Super Mario Bros. movie for the animation studio, CEO Chris Meledandri has more news about some of the other major properties that they house.

    Per Variety, Meledandri has said that Illumination, which serves as a creative partner of Dreamworks Animation, are in talks with the cast of the Shrek films to bring everyone back for a fifth installment of the beloved franchise. "It's not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with Mario, where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements." Meledandri added in his interview with Variety that no current deals are in place but they're in talks with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas all to return. 

    Murphy actually stated back in January following the massive success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, that he would return to do another film in the Shrek franchise in a heartbeat, if asked. Meledandri anticipates potentially creating a spinoff film around Murphy's Donkey character as well, further building out the Shrek brand. 

    Illumination also produces several high-profile brands in the animated space, including Despicable Me, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. Are you guys excited to see Shrek 5? What do you hope to get out of a potential fifth installment, as well as a Donkey spinoff?