The first teaser trailer for Shrek 5 dropped on Thursday morning.
And in the clip was a major reveal: Zendaya is playing the red-headed teen daughter of Shrek and Fiona.
Euphoria star Zendaya, 28, could bring a whole new generation of fans to the 25-year-old franchise.
Also back are Mike Myers (as Shrek), Cameron Diaz (as Princess Fiona) and Eddie Murphy (as Donkey).
The short teaser shows Shrek and Donkey looking in a mirror as Donkey asks, ‘Hey Magic Mirror, who’s the fairest of them all?’
The mirror enthusiastically responds, ‘Why Shrek of course’ as it flashes pH๏τos of a much-more in-shape ogre.
Fiona and one of his daughters rush in as well as Pinocchio, whose nose grows as he tries to deny making the Sєxy images of Shrek.
The first teaser trailer for Shrek 5 dropped on Thursday morning showing Shrek and Donkey
And in the clip was a major reveal: Zendaya is playing the red-headed teen daughter of Shrek and Fiona
The trailer then announces Mike, Eddie and Cameron’s names and acts surprised when it says Zendaya’s name.
The film is set for a December 2026 release and is the first in the main series since Shrek Forever After in 2010.
And while there’s a long lead time for this film, fans are already voicing their concern over the animation while others feel DreamWorks is trying to milk an expired franchise for more money.
X (formerly Twitter) user @dontcallmejazz wrote, ‘I hate how they have to over milk a franchise, let Shrek go.’
@JadePalace1976 wrote, ‘Woke and O.G graphics were better.’
And while plenty of people liked the Zendaya news and are looking forward to the film, an equal amount called the animation ‘weird af.’
User @galactanegro wrote, ‘There has to be an explanation for why they look like that maybe their daughter is in the wrong universe?’
@tsfionagirl chimed in, ‘why does Donkey looks so bad now?’
Zendaya’s teen character is seen far right as she has red hair and a nose piercing
The film is set for a December 2026 release and is the first in the main series since Shrek Forever After in 2010
The Euphoria star, 28, will play the lovable green ogre’s daughter. Seen here in 2025
Fans had a mixed reaction to the trailer with many criticizing the style of animation
People called the animation ‘weird af,’ ‘the ugliest f***ing animation I’ve ever seen, and wondered it it was AI
Others criticized DreamWorks bringing the Shrek franchise back after 15 years
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Shrek is based on the 1990 picture book from writer and cartoonist William Steig.
The franchise debuted with the 2001 film that introduced viewers to Shrek, an ogre embarking on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz).
The movie won the the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature and grossed more than $488 million worldwide.
Shrek 2 followed in 2004 and told the story of Shrek meeting Fiona’s parents.
In 2007, Shrek the Third, followed the ogre’s journey to find the next heir to the throne and 2010’s Shrek Ever After delved into his midlife crisis.
There’s no word yet on the storyline of the fifth film or if it will be made in the same style of animation as the quick teaser that was thrown together to announce Zendaya’s casting.
The first four films earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide and spawned a live-touring show that traveled the globe and earned eight Tony nomination and 12 Drama Desk nods, per ᴅᴇᴀᴅline.
The films Puss in Boots (2011) and its sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which was Oscar-nominated, are part of the Shrek franchise.
Fans were in distress of the animation in the teaser trainer
Zendaya’s slate of work has been packed for the last few years.
Last year, Zendaya appeared in Dune: Part Two, as well as Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.
Her upcoming schedule included Dune: Messiah, the fourth Spider-Man movie and the long awaited third season of HBO’s Euphoria.
She is also planning her wedding to Tom Holland after getting engaged on January 6, 2025.