Eddie Murphy returns as Donkey in a Shrek spinoff movie scheduled for June 30, 2028, from DreamWorks Animation.
Eddie Murphy Donkey voice is coming back, and if you’re not excited about this, you might need to check your pulse. DreamWorks Animation has officially set June 30, 2028 for Donkey, a Shrek spinoff that will serve as a prequel origin story for the fast-talking, dragon-marrying, waffle-obsessed sidekick who somehow became the heart of the entire franchise.
The announcement came from Deadline, confirming what fans have been hoping for since Puss in Boots: The Last Wish reminded everyone that DreamWorks still knows how to make magic. Eddie Murphy Donkey performance has been the consistent highlight across four Shrek films, two holiday specials, and countless memes. His energy—part Motown comedian, part eternal optimist, part complete chaos agent—made Donkey more than comic relief. He became the emotional core.
This prequel approach is smart. Rather than trying to continue the main Shrek timeline—which ended with Shrek Forever After in 2010 and has been rumored for revival ever since—Donkey will explore how this character became the talking, singing, dragon-seducing force of nature we met in the original 2001 film. Eddie Murphy Donkey origin story practically writes itself: how did a regular donkey gain the ability to speak? What was his life before Shrek? Did he always talk this much?
Eddie Murphy Donkey Legacy
Eddie Murphy Donkey impact on animation cannot be overstated. Before Murphy, celebrity voice acting in animated films was often phoned in—famous faces reading lines for a paycheck. Murphy treated Donkey like a full character creation, improvising, singing, and bringing the kind of committed physical comedy that usually requires an actual body. The result was a performance so iconic that “I’m making waffles” became a cultural touchstone.
The Shrek franchise has grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide, and Donkey consistently ranks as the most beloved character across all demographics. Kids love his energy. Adults appreciate his rapid-fire pop culture references. Everyone relates to his unshakeable loyalty. Eddie Murphy Donkey chemistry with Mike Myers’ Shrek defined the buddy comedy dynamic that animated films have been trying to replicate ever since.
DreamWorks has been strategic about reviving this universe. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proved that spinoffs can work when they evolve the visual style and deepen the emotional storytelling. Donkey will presumably follow that template, giving Eddie Murphy Donkey performance the kind of narrative weight that the original films only hinted at. We know he ends up with Dragon and a litter of Dronkeys. Now we’ll learn how he got there.
Murphy’s career has seen a resurgence lately, with Coming 2 America and various projects reminding audiences why he was once the biggest star on the planet. Eddie Murphy Donkey return gives him a role that plays to all his strengths: charisma, improv, heart, and the ability to make even the silliest material feel genuine. At 67, he’s still got the energy to voice a hyperactive donkey, which is honestly more impressive than any stunt.
June 30, 2028. Start preparing your waffles now.
Watch Eddie Murphy Donkey origin story when Donkey hits theaters June 30, 2028.
Also Read: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Eggers Reunion