One of the most in-demand stars working in Hollywood today, Zendaya joining the cast of Shrek 5 is undoubtedly a boon for the 25-year-old franchise. She boards the project to voice the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). Also returning is Eddie Murphy as the voice of Donkey.

The feature has a December 23rd, 2026 release date from Universal and DreamWorks Animation, and is the first new release in the main series since 2010’s Shrek Forever After. Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon direct, along with Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson. Dohrn was a writer on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, and worked as head of story on Shrek Forever After. Vernon directed Shrek 2, Madagascar 2 and voices Gingerbread Man.

Zendaya has a rather packed release schedule, which includes Dune: Messiah, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the fourth Spider-Man film for the MCU, as well as Euphoria’s third season. Last year, she starred in the tennis drama The Challengers by Luca Guadagnino, as well as Dune: Part Two.

Watch the casting announcement video, featuring some ungodly Shrek memes, below. And before we get too stressed about the new animation style, bear in mind this isn’t footage from the actual film and hopefully doesn’t reflect a new aesthetic choice.