Zendaya is stepping into the fantastical kingdom of Far, Far Away, bringing fresh energy and a modern twist to the beloved franchise as she takes on the role of Shrek's teenage daughter.
- February 28, 2025
AceShowbiz - Zendaya Coleman is heading to the swamp in a land far, far away. The Emmy winner has joined the "Shrek" franchise as Felicia, the daughter of the titular ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) and his wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz), in the upcoming fifth movie. The casting was confirmed by Universal Pictures on Thursday, February 27 via a video teaser. Eddie Murphy also returns as the voice of Donkey for "Shrek 5," which arrives in theaters December 23, 2026.
The 30-second trailer features Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Pinocchio, and Shrek's teenage daughter Felicia - sporting deep green lipstick, a half-up-half-down hairdo, and a nose ring. It offers a sneak peek at the family dynamic while embracing today's evolving digital era.
The quintet look into the magic mirror, which has made appearances in other "Shrek" movies, to see a TikTok-style slideshow of memes, including Shrek sporting pink sunglasses and a shirtless six-pack. In a typical teenage daughter fashion, Felicia bursts out with an, "Ew!" while Fiona swoops in with, "Oh, momma like."
Plot details remain hidden under Shrek's moss-covered swamp, but the upcoming animated feature hails from directors Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, both franchise veterans.
Dohrn worked on the second and third Shrek films as a writer and artist and also voiced Rumpelstiltskin in the fourth film. Vernon directed "Shrek 2" and also voiced various characters in the franchise, including the Gingerbread Man.
The Christmas-time release of the upcoming "Shrek 5" coincides with the 25th anniversary of the hit DreamWorks franchise, which has collectively grossed $2.9 billion worldwide and spawned several attractions - as well as an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony Award nominations and one win, for best costume design.
Zendaya, known for her work in Spider-Man franchise, "Dune" series, and "Euphoria," the hit HBO drama that earned her two Emmys, adds another high-profile project to her packed schedule. She is currently being eyed by Will Smith for the much-awaited sequel to the cult classic superhero movie "Hancock".
With Zendaya's star power and a fresh take on the beloved characters, "Shrek 5" is poised to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and a new generation when it debuts in 2026.
