AceShowbiz - The iconic Shrek franchise, a multi-billion-dollar phenomenon, is marking its 25th anniversary with the launch of its very first LEGO sets. Since its debut, the series has become a beloved staple of animated cinema, grossing over $4 billion worldwide and captivating audiences with its unique blend of humor, fairy tale parodies, and heartwarming storytelling.

Originating from William Steig's 1990 children's book, Shrek rose to prominence through DreamWorks Animation’s innovative CGI techniques, following earlier successes like The Prince of Egypt and Antz. The franchise centers on the gruff yet endearing ogre, voiced by Mike Myers, who embarks on numerous adventures alongside a memorable cast of fairy tale characters.

In celebration of the franchise’s quarter-century milestone, LEGO is releasing two distinct sets: a detailed adult collector’s edition and a BrickHeadz collection designed for younger fans. The adult-oriented set, aimed at builders 18 and older, features posable brick-built figures of Shrek, Donkey, and a Puss in Boots minifigure. These figures are mounted on a base inspired by Shrek’s swamp, complete with iconic details such as the “Beware Ogre!” sign, sunflowers, an onion, and hidden Easter eggs inside the ogre’s belly. The set measures over 9.5 inches tall, 8.5 inches wide, and 6 inches deep, and is composed of 1,403 bricks.

The second offering is part of the well-known LEGO BrickHeadz series, designed for builders aged 10 and above. This collection allows fans to build square-headed versions of Shrek, Donkey, or Gingy, with faithful attention to their distinguishing features like Shrek’s iconic ears, Donkey’s cheeky grin, and Gingy’s icing buttons. The BrickHeadz figures measure just over 3 inches tall for Shrek, slightly smaller for Donkey, and about 2 inches for Gingy, consisting of 260 bricks in total.

Both collections are currently available for pre-order online and will officially launch in stores and online on June 1. The BrickHeadz sets will retail for $24.99 USD, while the adult-oriented set comes with a price tag of $129.99 USD, a figure that has surprised many fans due to its premium cost.

LEGO Group Creative Lead Raquel Ojeda expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Shrek has always celebrated imagination, friendship, and a little bit of mischief, which are values that translate perfectly into LEGO play. We're ogre the moon to partner with this beloved universe and see how fans build their own fairy-tale adventures. This is just the beginning, so keep your eyes peeled for lots more LEGO Shrek magic!”

Similarly, Rafa Macias, Universal Products & Experiences’ Global Commercial Officer of Consumer Products, Games & Digital, emphasized the significance of the partnership, saying, “Partnering with the LEGO Group to introduce Shrek in LEGO brick form marks an exciting moment as we celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary. These sets bring Far Far Away to life with innovative design, fun Easter eggs for fans to discover, and storytelling – honoring the legacy that has made Shrek a cultural icon and inviting fans back to the swamp where it all began.”

The arrival of LEGO sets for the Shrek franchise may come as a surprise to some, considering the series’ past popularity rivaled that of major Disney properties like Toy Story. Notably, Shrek remains the second-highest-grossing animated franchise behind Despicable Me. Despite this, the series had not previously received LEGO adaptations, making this debut all the more noteworthy.

One factor contributing to this launch is Universal's exclusive five-year agreement to produce films in partnership with LEGO, which has included titles like the Pharrell Williams biopic Piece by Piece and upcoming projects from directors such as Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins, Joe Cornish, and James Morosini. This collaboration opens the door for Universal’s franchises, including Shrek, to enter the LEGO world.

Additionally, the timing coincides with significant upcoming projects within the Shrek universe. June 2027 will see the release of Shrek 5, featuring Zendaya as Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona. Meanwhile, a Donkey-focused spin-off starring Eddie Murphy is slated for 2028.

As the franchise celebrates a quarter-century of storytelling, humor, and memorable characters, the introduction of LEGO sets offers fans a fresh way to connect with the beloved story. Whether through the intricate adult collector’s edition or the playful BrickHeadz collection, these sets promise to bring the magic of Shrek to life in a new and exciting format.