'Shrek 5' Release Date, Spoilers: Movie NOT Canceled But 2019 Premiere Is Unlikely

There is an obvious lack of new updates about “Shrek 5” and that may have sparked speculations that the project is already canceled. However, the latest official word indicates that the animated film is still happening, though a 2019 premiere is unlikely.

“Shrek Forever After” was released in 2009 and the movie’s title apparently suggested that it marked the conclusion of the franchise. However, talks about having “Shrek 5” came up five years later. Details were scarce until 2016 following NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation.

Sources of THR reported in 2016 that “Shrek 5” was, indeed, in the lineup of upcoming films for DreamWorks Animation and it is slated to premiere in 2019. The script was purportedly completed per Eddie Murphy’s confirmation later in the same year. Murphy’s statement, who voiced Donkey throughout the series, also indicated that the producers intend to bring all the original cast members back together for the fifth film.

The latest solid update fans have on the production of “Shrek 5” arrived in late 2018. “Despicable Me” franchise producer and Illumination boss Chris Meledandri has since been assigned to oversee the revival of the “Shrek” series. In a profile for Variety, Meledandri talked about how important it is to bring back familiar voice actors for the anticipated reboot.

“When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome, and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations,” Meledandri said on the “Shrek 5” and “Puss in Boots” reboot. “The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”

While “Shrek 5” is certainly in the pipeline, it does not look like it is ready to premiere anytime soon. It is already half of the year and no form of promotion for the movie has been made yet. The best fans could hope for is to have another update on its production and, possibly, even a small teaser or release date window announcement before 2019 ends.