Shrek 5 Adds Skyler Gisondo and Marcello Hernández as Shrek’s Sons

DreamWorks Animation expands the ogre family in ‘Shrek 5’ by casting Skyler Gisondo and Marcello Hernández to voice Shrek and Fiona’s triplet sons, Fergus and Farkle. The announcement coincided with the Shrek balloon’s appearance during the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast on NBC. Universal Pictures schedules the film’s theatrical release for June 30, 2027, following a delay from the original December 2026 target. Directors Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn helm the project, with Vernon reprising his role as the voice of Gingy the Gingerbread Man.

Mike Myers returns as the titular green ogre Shrek, marking his fifth outing in the franchise that began in 2001. Eddie Murphy resumes voicing the wisecracking Donkey, whose improvisational style defined early entries. Cameron Diaz lends her voice once more to Princess Fiona, the ogre queen balancing royal duties with family life. Zendaya joins as the couple’s teenage daughter Felicia, introducing a new dynamic to the swamp-dwelling household.

Gisondo voices Farkle, the inventive triplet with a penchant for gadgets and pranks that disrupt Far Far Away’s fragile peace. Known for portraying Jimmy Olsen in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ released in July 2025, Gisondo previously appeared in supporting roles in ‘Licorice Pizza’ and ‘Booksmart’. The 29-year-old actor also stars as the son of Ben Stiller and Teri Polo’s characters in the upcoming ‘Meet the Parents’ sequel ‘Focker-in-Law’. Represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, and Jackoway Tyerman, Gisondo shared a promotional video on social media depicting his preparation for the role.

Hernández takes on Fergus, the triplet’s athletic troublemaker whose escapades test Shrek’s parenting limits. A cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ since 2022, Hernández gained recognition for his recurring Domingo character, a parody of Latin pop stars. His film credits include a role in ‘Happy Gilmore 2′ and an upcoming lead in the comedy ’72 Hours’. Represented by CAA, LBI Entertainment, and Patti Felkner, the 28-year-old comedian posted green body paint selfies to celebrate the casting, captioning them with self-deprecating humor about his ogre transformation.

The ‘Shrek’ series has amassed over $2.9 billion in worldwide box office earnings across its four prior installments. The original 2001 film earned $484 million globally and secured the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. ‘Shrek 2’ in 2004 holds the record for the highest-grossing animated film until ‘Frozen’ in 2013, with $928 million. Spin-offs like the ‘Puss in Boots’ trilogy and a Broadway musical have extended the franchise’s reach, alongside attractions at Universal Studios parks.

Production on ‘Shrek 5′ emphasizes family-oriented chaos, with the triplets’ antics driving the plot toward a kingdom-wide crisis. Vernon, who co-directed ‘Shrek 2’ and ‘Madagascar 2′, collaborates with Dohrn, a veteran writer and story artist from the second, third, and fourth films. DreamWorks Animation positions the sequel as a return to the series’ satirical roots, blending fairy-tale parodies with modern parenting themes. Voice recording sessions incorporate improvisational elements, a hallmark of Murphy’s Donkey performances that added 20 percent unscripted dialogue in earlier entries.

Fan anticipation builds on the franchise’s cultural impact, including a London immersive experience that drew 500,000 visitors since 2023. The film’s delay allowed for enhanced CGI rendering on the triplets’ designs, utilizing 15 percent more computational power than ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’. Universal’s marketing ties into holiday traditions, leveraging the Thanksgiving reveal to boost merchandise sales projected at $150 million pre-release. The ensemble’s return ensures continuity, with Myers’ Scottish accent for Shrek requiring 40 hours of dialect coaching per film.

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