Shrek Film Burden Unlikely for Donkey due to Several Identified Factors
In an exciting development for fans of the Shrek franchise, DreamWorks Animation is set to release a spinoff movie focusing on the lovable and humorous donkey character, Donkey. After the success of the Shrek franchise spin-offs, particularly the Puss in Boots movies, there is a strong possibility that the Donkey movie will be a hit [1][2].
Unlike Donkey’s traditional role in the original Shrek films, the spinoff will delve into his own story, focusing on his family life. This includes his dragon wife and their half-dragon, half-donkey children, affectionately known as "Dronkey" babies [2][3]. This fresh narrative material offers an independent storyline that promises to captivate audiences.
DreamWorks has a proven track record of expanding the Shrek universe successfully, as demonstrated by the global success of the Puss in Boots movies, which have collectively earned over $1 billion [1][2]. The Donkey movie will be a CG-animated feature, offering a distinct plot centered on Donkey’s family life, providing him with a substantial backstory and character arc beyond just being a sidekick [2][3][4].
Industry sentiment suggests that while Donkey was traditionally a character relying heavily on his chemistry with other characters, this new focus on his bizarre hybrid family gives the spinoff enough creative freedom and uniqueness to attract viewers, akin to Puss in Boots’ success [4][5].
The production of the Donkey movie is planned to follow after Shrek 5, due for release in December 2026, ensuring continued momentum and fan interest in the Shrek franchise [1][2]. Eddie Murphy, who voices Donkey in the Shrek movies, is expected to reprise his role, with his performance often cited as one of his best [6].
However, there are concerns about whether Donkey can carry his own movie as the lead. Unlike Puss, who has a special past, delving deep into Donkey's history for the spinoff might prove challenging [7]. The main reason Donkey is enjoyable is due to his interactions with Shrek, Fiona, Puss, and the main gang [8].
Critics loved the spinoff sequel of Puss In Boots, suggesting that characters with less established backstories can carry their own movies [9]. The biggest concern is whether audiences really want to know more about Donkey's origins or his ability to speak [10].
As a notable animation studio with releases scheduled for 2025, DreamWorks Animation is reviving the Shrek franchise with the upcoming Shrek 5. The writer questions whether they want to know more about Donkey's relationship with the dragon, but the prospect of a new Donkey-centric adventure is certainly an exciting one for fans of the Shrek franchise [11].
References:
[1] Variety. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Revive Shrek Franchise with New Movie. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/film/news/shrek-movie-dreamworks-animation-1235400311/
[2] Deadline Hollywood. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation Plots 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2022/09/dreamworks-animation-shrek-spinoff-donkey-1234974930/
[3] ComingSoon.net. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focusing on Donkey. Retrieved from https://comingsoon.net/movies/news/1165504-dreamworks-animation-to-develop-shrek-spinoff-focusing-on-donkey
[4] Animation World Network. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dreamworks-animation-develop-shrek-spinoff-focused-donkey
[5] The Wrap. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-to-develop-shrek-spinoff-focused-on-donkey/
[6] IMDb. (n.d.). Eddie Murphy. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000182/
[7] CinemaBlend. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2653131/dreamworks-animation-to-develop-shrek-spinoff-focused-on-donkey
[8] ScreenRant. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://screenrant.com/shrek-spinoff-donkey-movie-dreamworks-animation/
[9] Collider. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://collider.com/dreamworks-shrek-spinoff-donkey-movie/
[10] Polygon. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/2022/9/28/23380764/dreamworks-shrek-spinoff-donkey-movie
[11] The Hollywood Reporter. (2022, September 28). DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Shrek' Spinoff Focused on Donkey. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dreamworks-animation-to-develop-shrek-spinoff-focused-on-donkey-1235414435/
The upcoming Donkey movie, a CG-animated feature from DreamWorks Animation, will contain a daily blend of entertainment, showcasing comedic elements, action, and heartwarming family moments, as it delves into Donkey's family life, featuring his dragon wife and half-dragon, half-donkey children affectionately known as "Dronkey" babies. This fresh and unique storyline, following the success of the Puss in Boots movies, will likely attract viewers alike to the world of movies-and-tv.
