It has been four years since the not-so-jolly green ogre Shrek (Mike Myers) has romped through a fairy-tale land in Shrek Forever After. Now we’re hearing we might not have to wait an additional four years to see the beloved Shrek and his hilarious friends on screen again.
In an interview with Fox Business Network (via Variety), DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg suggested that a fifth Shrek movie probably is in the cards. He boldly stated:
"We like to let them have a little bit of time to rest. But I think you can be confident that we’ll have another chapter in the Shrek series. We’re not finished, and more importantly, neither is he."
The "them" in the quote refers to Myers:
Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona):
Eddie Murphy (Donkey):
And Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots):
And why not? The Shrek film franchise has banked $2.9 billion worldwide, and has enjoyed tremendous success since launching in 2001. The movie spawned a stage musical, a series of video games, Shrek comic books, a Puss in Boots spin off movie, and a theme park in London… which was the reason for Katzenberg’s interview with Fox in the first place. The Guardian reports that Shrek’s Far, Far Away Adventure will open on the South Bank of London, and is expected to open in Summer 2015. It will be 20,000 square feet, and will feature a new story based on an interactive Shrek tale. Characters from Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda also will be featured in the park.
Katzenberg likely is sitting back looking at rival animated movies DOMINATING the box office. Disney’s Frozen is burning up the box office charts, approaching the $1 billion mark by itself! Forget if it ever announces a sequel. And the beauty of animation is that actors like Myers, Diaz and Murphy can return to the booth time and time again without having to worry about aging out. Keep printing money, DreamWorks Animation!
The key, of course, is the story. Come up with a decent reason for Shrek to return, and few will complain. Taking a lengthy break is awesome. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I think we’re all ready to see if Myers can squeeze a few more laughs out of that Scottish accent:
