Eddie Murphy Is Ready for A Shrek Sequel

Before we talk about the actor’s statements about returning to play Donkey, we would like to talk about who Eddie Murphy and Shrek is.  

“Shrek”, the ogre that continues to conquer the public 

For many centuries, fables depicted ogres as gigantic, green, and fearsome beings that frightened children. A vision that ended with the arrival of Shrek, the hero with the appearance of an anti-hero who, with his humor, conquered and continues to conquer audiences almost 21 years later.  

The film, released on May 18, 2001, is one of the favorite animated films for children and adults, thanks to its hilarious sense of humor that makes children and adults laugh. Its secret? Its eternal youth. It is a film that never goes out of fashion and is passed down from generation to generation, just like the classic stories that appear in the film. And that is just what “Shrek” is, a movie story.  

Shrek is the saga produced by DreamWorks and starring Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Fiona) and John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad). 

Although many people believe that it is an original story from the DreamWorks studio, this is not so. It is based on the 1900 book, “Shrek!” by writer William Steig (cartoonist at The New Yorker and author of children’s books). Steig agreed to sign over the rights to his book because his children loved the character, and he wanted them to see him on the big screen. 

A little bit about Eddie Murphy 

Edward Regan Murphy, known artistically as Eddie Murphy, born in Brooklyn on April 3, 1961, is an American actor, film director, comedian, and singer. He made history by being the first actor to be paid a million dollars for his first film.  

In the 80s and 90s he was the king of comedy thanks to Super Detective in Hollywood (1984), The Prince of Zamunda (1988) and The Nutty Professor (1996). However, his name not only grabbed the headlines of the specialized film magazines, but also those of the magazines of events and the heart. Incredible as it may seem, he has 10 children by 5 different women.  

Today, Eddie Murphy is still one of the highest paid actors in the industry, with an average of 15 million dollars per movie. 

Donkey 

The Shrek franchise has four films, several specials, two spin-offs about one of its characters, Puss in Boots, and now, the actor who voices him is talking about the possibility of a fifth installment and proposes making a film about his character Donkey. 

Murphy recently spoke in an interview with Etalk in which he was asked about the possibility of ever returning as his animated character. The actor is excited about the idea and is just waiting for the call. “Oh, I would absolutely be open,” Murphy said. “If they ever, you know, came up with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds, I love Donkey.” 

The actor even talked about Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the recent Dreamworks spin-off, and said they should have made a Donkey movie. “Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots,” he joked. “I mean I love Puss in Boots, but he’s not as funny as Donkey. 

In the interview he puts on the table the idea of this spin-off, despite clarifying and explaining that although he wishes it, it is not something that depends on him but on his animation house Dreamworks. Murphy added that if Dreamworks wanted to make it, all they would have to do is call him. 

The future of Shrek has been talked about since 2018. 

This is how Eddie Murphy’s statements recall that at some point in 2018, Christopher Meledandri, founder of Illumination Entertainment, spoke in Variety about the activation and exploitation of the franchise and the Puss in Boots movies prove that.