5 Characters That Need to Return for Shrek 5

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In late February 2025, a sneak peek was given about the film’s animation style and Zendaya being cast as (likely) Felicia, making it official: The fifth installment of Shrek is coming soon! After years of whispers and development delays, here we are with our beloved grumpy ogre getting ready to grace the silver screen once more. Some people might find the new animation style controversial, but it’s highly probable that Shrek 5 will be one of the blockbuster movies of 2026 when it hits theaters during Christmas of that year. A significant portion of its anticipated massive box office earnings can be attributed to anticipation and speculation about what Shrek 5 will entail.

Without a doubt, there’s been plenty of online chatter about who should make a comeback in Shrek 5. With that thought in mind, let’s explore five characters from past Shrek adventures that really ought to reappear as we journey towards the next chapter in this unparalleled fairy tale saga.

Lord Farquaad

It’s been established that Lord Farquaad was devoured by the Dragon in the original Shrek, but if David Arquette can return as Dewey in Scream 7 following his apparent death in the fifth Scream, there’s a possibility for Farquaad to be resurrected for Shrek 5. This is due to several reasons: firstly, Farquaad’s resilience beyond his public demise was demonstrated in the Universal Parks attraction Shrek 4D. Secondly, Shrek 5 is expected to be a nostalgic trip back to the earliest Shrek installments, and what could be more nostalgic than bringing back Farquaad after such a long time, especially since his voice actor, John Lithgow, has recently gained attention for his work in Conclave?

Snow White and the Other Princesses

Let’s group these ladies together as a single “character,” as it’s long overdue for Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel from “Shrek the Third” to have their moment of redemption. Their most notable appearance was in the franchise’s least successful film, and they lacked distinctive personalities. The upcoming “Shrek 5” could provide an opportunity for these princesses to redeem themselves, as well as a chance to create fresh humor based on recent pop culture developments post-2010. Given that the live-action Disney remake versions of these princesses have certain characteristics, those traits could be satirically portrayed in the “Shrek” world.

Donkey’s Owner A.K.A. The Old Woman

The enigmatic woman who initially owned Donkey in the beginning of “Shrek” remains a puzzle to even the most ardent fans of the series, often referred to simply as The Old Woman within the canon. While it’s established that she was tired of Donkey’s chatty nature, little else is known about this character. As Donkey has since transformed into an iconic hero in various instances, there might be room for The Old Woman to reappear in “Shrek 5”. A potential return could offer new character design, a deeper backstory, and possibly even an official name for this figure. Unlike other supporting characters in “Shrek 5” who would be expanding upon previous screen time, The Old Woman’s possible comeback could finally provide Shrek enthusiasts with insights about this underdeveloped character.

The Big Bad Wolf

After the new wolf character in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” has become a significant figure in the Shrek series, there might be a tendency to forget about the Big Bad Wolf from the earlier Shrek tales. But if Pinocchio’s inclusion in the Shrek 5 teaser is any hint, popular characters from previous Shrek movies are set to return for this sequel. It would be unfortunate to dismiss this character, even though another more dynamic wolf has seemingly taken his place as the favorite Shrek wolf. As long as the Big Bad Wolf avoids making offensive transphobic remarks, he could make a fitting comeback in Shrek 5.

Perrito

In essence, the mid-credits scene from “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” hinted that characters like Perrito, Puss, and Kitty Softpaws would travel to Far Far Away to rejoin Shrek and his gang. It would be a pity not to capitalize on this hint and overlook beloved character Perrito. After all, he’s become a favorite among the newer generation of “Shrek” fans. To appeal to both nostalgic viewers from the 2000s and those who have fallen for this series through “The Last Wish”, “Shrek 5” must maintain its connection with these characters. Furthermore, it would add an interesting dynamic to see Donkey interact with another talking animal sidekick given his initial animosity towards Puss in Boots in “Shrek 2”.

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2025-03-12 01:12