The family of cinema's most famous ogre expands with new voices that are very recognizable to the general publicAmong them is the addition of an actor whom many already associate with the superhero universe: an actor from the recent film of Superman He will be the one to voice one of Shrek and Fiona's children in Shrek 5, thus consolidating the generational handover in the saga.
After several confirmations and schedule changes, the studio has finally set the release date: Shrek 5 will arrive in theaters on June 30, 2027, a key date on the calendar of global commercial cinema.
The Superman actor who moves to the swamp
The signing that has generated the most headlines is that of Skyler Gisondo, known for playing Jimmy Olsen in the new Superman film directed by James GunnThe actor, who has appeared in productions such as Licorice Pizza, Booksmart, Santa Clarita Diet o The Righteous Gemstones, now makes the leap to big studio animation by becoming the official voice of Farkle, one of Shrek and Fiona's sons.
Gisondo's arrival comes at a key moment in his career: 2025 has been established as his big professional yearIn addition to his role in Superman, it was announced that he will play Henry Focker, son of Ben Stiller's character, in the new installment of Her parentsNow, he adds another "son of film icons" to his resume, this time in the field of animation, by playing the heir of the most famous green ogre.
DreamWorks has capitalized on the actor's recent popularity in the superhero universe to boost the film's visibility: A face associated with Superman landing in Shrek's swamp It works as a perfect hook to connect with young audiences and those who closely follow major Hollywood franchises.
In a video shared on social media by the studio, Gisondo can be seen chatting with his co-star, Marcello Hernández, as they both show images of their characters. The Superman actor himself jokes upon seeing the comedian completely painted green: "It looks amazing, but... you know we're only going to be doing the voices, right?", in a nod to the lighthearted tone that characterizes the saga.
Marcello Hernandez and Zendaya: the new generation of ogres
Along with Gisondo, Marcello Hernández will be the other big youth signing for the Shrek familyOf Cuban-Dominican origin, the performer has become popular for his appearances in Saturday Night Livewhere he has stood out with viral sketches and live comedy performances. In Shrek 5, he will lend his voice to Fergus, another of the children of the main couple.
Hernández combines his television work with live comedy and new film projects. She is part of the cast of the third Angry Birds movie., scheduled for December 2026, and has participated in productions such as Dying for Sex, The Improviser or the sequel Happy Gilmore 2His profile, closely linked to humor and pop culture, fits with the irreverent spirit of the Shrek franchise.
The trio is completed by Zendaya, who will voice FeliciaShrek and Fiona's eldest daughter. The character had already appeared as a baby in Shrek: Happily Ever AfterBut now she will be presented as a teenager. In this way, the saga is betting on three young actors with a strong media presence to represent the new generation of ogres.
In the promotional video shared by DreamWorks on Instagram, Gisondo and Hernandez can be seen. introducing themselves as Farkle and Fergus in a simulated chat with Shrek himselfThe post includes visual gags and screenshots of their animated versions. It suggests that the children will have significant roles in the plot and won't just be supporting characters.
Reunion with the classic voices and creative team
Despite the influx of new blood, Shrek 5 keeps the cast that turned the saga into a global phenomenon at the forefrontMike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz return to voice Shrek, Donkey and Fiona in the original version, something especially relevant considering that the last joint appearance of these characters in a main film was in 2010.
Key names from the franchise are leading the project again. Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn will direct the film.reinforced by the experience gained from previous Shrek titles and other DreamWorks animated productions. Vernon has directed films such as Shrek 2 y Madagascar 2In addition to voicing the endearing Gingerbread Man, Dohrn was a screenwriter and story writer in previous installments, and played the villain Rumpelstiltskin.
Production is in the hands of Gina Shay and Chris MeledandriShay is a key figure in the studio thanks to his work on the saga TrollsMeanwhile, Meledandri, founder of Illumination, has signed hits such as Gru, my favorite villain, Minions o The Super Mario Bros. movie.. They are joined by Brad Ableson as co-director, with experience in Minions: The Origin of Gru and the series The SimpsonsThis reinforces the blend of humor for all ages that has always characterized Shrek.
The result is a creative team with a very recognizable profile for European audiences, accustomed to the premieres of these franchises in theaters in Spain and the rest of the EU, where DreamWorks films usually have extensive marketing campaigns and meticulous local dubbing.
A multi-million dollar franchise that refuses to retire
The return to the swamp is not accidental. The four main Shrek installments They have raised more than $2.900 billion worldwide
The first film, released in 2001, opened a new path in animated cinema with a more acidic humor and constant references to popular culture. It won the first Oscar in history for Best Animated Feature FilmThis automatically put it on the map for major studios and international audiences. Since then, television reruns and streaming releases in Europe and Spain have kept the saga in constant circulation.
Although the details of Shrek 5's story are being kept under wraps, the gamble seems clear: to take a step forward in the development of the family and the children of the ogre, with conflicts and situations that connect with viewers who grew up with the first films and with new generations who are now approaching the franchise.
Dates, delays and expectations for 2027
The road to setting the premiere date has not exactly been straight. Shrek 5 was initially announced for summer 2026It was then moved to Christmas of that same year and, after several readjustments, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks finally settled on the date in the June 30th, 2027The film will thus be released right in the middle of the peak box office season, in direct competition with other giants of commercial cinema, such as new installments of Avengers or the saga Ice Age.
This discrepancy in dates is partly explained by the eagerness to study polish the film's new visual style and coordinate the schedules of a cast full of highly sought-after namesIt also follows the strategy of fitting the film into a schedule already saturated with high-budget productions, especially in the field of animation.
In any case, the long wait hasn't dampened expectations. The franchise has gone more than a decade without a main installment, but it hasn't lost its presence thanks to spin-offs and its continued availability on digital platforms. In Spain and other European markets, Shrek remains one of the most recognizable family titles, with multiple television broadcasts and a permanent place in the catalogs of streaming services.
The comments of Eddie Murphy In recent interviews, showing their enthusiasm for returning to the character of Donkey and for the arrival of new stars like Zendaya, they have helped to reinforce the idea that this fifth installment aspires to be more than just a simple exercise in nostalgia.
With all this on the table, Shrek 5 is shaping up to be A very deliberate return to the swamp, which aims for a balance between legacy and renewalThe presence of a Superman actor voicing one of Shrek's children, the casting of up-and-coming comedians like Marcello Hernández, and Zendaya's participation send a clear message: the saga aims to remain relevant to today's audiences without losing the irreverent, family-friendly tone that made it famous. Now we just have to wait until 2027 to see to what extent this new generation of ogres lives up to the legend they inherit.
