Zendaya and SNL’s Marcello Hernández Shake Up Shrek 5’s Swamp

Max Sterling, 11/28/2025Shrek 5 rides into 2027 swaddled in nostalgia and bold new talent—SNL risers, Gen Z icons, and swampy family dynamics. Will this ogre dynasty out-meme itself or rediscover its fairy tale bite? Either way, the green machine refuses to fade quietly into the Far Far Away sunset.

Now, there are moments when a balloon’s mere presence can spark nostalgia. Then there are moments—like when NBC’s cameras cut from Snoopy to a smirking Marcello Hernández—where you can practically hear the collective internet lose its mind. Hernández, who’s already set SNL hair on fire with his unbridled Domingo, is set to voice Fergus, one of the offspring of the original ogre power couple. Reading between the lines (and perhaps a couple of DreamWorks tweets), Skyler Gisondo—fresh off his Jimmy Olsen turn in James Gunn’s Superman reboot—will join as Farkle. One can only imagine the mischief: indie-leaning zing layered over classic fairy tale bedlam, maybe a dash more bite than the old swamp ever bargained for.

Shrek’s children were relegated to the background last time around, barely escaping diaper duty before credits rolled on 2010’s Shrek Forever After. EW’s confirmation sent a flutter through the fandom—yes, the triplets really are growing up, and Zendaya (cue audible Gen Z shriek) will round out the trio as Felicia. Perhaps the world isn’t ready for Zendaya’s ogre-sass, but TikTok’s already sharpening its pitchforks for that first viral soundbite.

Still, there’s a sense of stewardship in the air. Myers, Murphy, and Diaz are sticking around, reprising their now-mythic roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. This isn’t a generational coup so much as a family reunion, with DreamWorks doubling down on continuity—veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn at the helm, plus Brad Ableson (he of yellow minions and Springfield gags) adding his own flavor to the stew. Could be a disaster, could be the kind of loose, heartfelt chaos that gives sequels their rare crackle.

The stakes for DreamWorks? Monumental. Bear in mind, Shrek was never just about ogres or princesses. The original in 2001 didn’t so much upend Disney as it gleefully lobbed custard pies at fairy tale convention—swapping sanitized castles for snarky swamp banter, strings of pop songs, and a relentless refusal to take itself seriously. Over the years, and through more sequels, spinoffs, a Christmas special, a Broadway run, and a meme lifespan measured in geological time, the franchise achieved a kind of pop culture omnipresence. Universal theme parks are practically overrun by green ears.

But here’s the thing: the franchise has never rested quietly at the bottom of the pond. The 2010 chapter was practically existential—a mid-life crisis for ogres and, by proxy, for anyone who ever felt stuck in a rut (which, by 2025, seems more and more relatable). Now we’re about to see what happens when the swamp goes multigenerational: can a new set of characters and comedic voices keep the world invested, especially now that everyone’s seen Disney try its own hand at self-parody?

For DreamWorks, it’s no small gamble. There’s every reason to believe a cast mixing SNL energy, superhero credibility, and Gen Z star power might create a wild new chemistry. Or maybe the result skews too safe, an over-rehearsed jamboree that misses what made the first two Shrek films sing. Frankly, it’s tough terrain: TikTok, therapy speak, and deep-fried memes have moved the goalposts since Mike Myers’ Scottish drawl first echoed through theaters.

One has to wonder how Hernández and Gisondo’s Fergus and Farkle will play: sidekicks sliding into side-eye, or something sharper? Will Zendaya’s Felicia rewrite the rules for ogre princesshood, or will she wind up quoted endlessly on Twitter the way Donkey once was, back when Twitter still looked like Twitter? Some bets are safer than others.

There’s a curious symmetry here, too—seventeen years since Shrek 2 (the rare sequel that actually elevated its source), and all the old guard is returning, but with an eye towards passing a very sticky torch. Release dates—June 2027 one day, December 2026 another—seem to shift like quicksand, but the hype is locked in regardless. These movies have always worn nostalgia and innovation as mismatched shoes; the next one will live or die by how deftly it matches old heart to new mischief.

And, to be honest, sequels this far down the line rarely get the benefit of low expectations. Every studio wants another lightning strike, another billion in the coffers, another license to meme. But Shrek, for better or weirder, has always thrived on refusing to play by the rules—delighting in the mess, the in-jokes, the emotional left-hooks no one saw coming.

Maybe in the age of algorithm-driven blockbusters and “event” animated features, there’s something a little subversive about returning to the swamp. Perhaps that’s the point. In this castle, with these ogres, the magic isn’t formulaic. It’s the kind of offbeat, onion-layered chaos you can’t quite predict... and that’s worth gathering around for, one more time.

No pressure, DreamWorks. Just remember: it’s not easy being green, but it never was.

If the world felt a little wobbly last Thanksgiving, don't blame tectonics—blame DreamWorks. The sight of Shrek’s inflatable likeness gliding above Manhattan was enough to stir up old memories (and probably a few "SomeBODY once told me" karaoke sessions in living rooms nationwide). But just as parade watchers were getting misty-eyed, something bigger landed: news that Shrek 5 was officially lumbering back onto the scene, with a couple of fresh voices lacing up their metaphorical mud boots.Now, there are moments when a balloon’s mere presence can spark nostalgia. Then there are moments—like when NBC’s cameras cut from Snoopy to a smirking Marcello Hernández—where you can practically hear the collective internet lose its mind. Hernández, who’s already set SNL hair on fire with his unbridled Domingo, is set to voice Fergus, one of the offspring of the original ogre power couple. Reading between the lines (and perhaps a couple of DreamWorks tweets), Skyler Gisondo—fresh off his Jimmy Olsen turn in James Gunn’s Superman reboot—will join as Farkle. One can only imagine the mischief: indie-leaning zing layered over classic fairy tale bedlam, maybe a dash more bite than the old swamp ever bargained for.Shrek’s children were relegated to the background last time around, barely escaping diaper duty before credits rolled on 2010’s Shrek Forever After. EW’s confirmation sent a flutter through the fandom—yes, the triplets really are growing up, and Zendaya (cue audible Gen Z shriek) will round out the trio as Felicia. Perhaps the world isn’t ready for Zendaya’s ogre-sass, but TikTok’s already sharpening its pitchforks for that first viral soundbite.Still, there’s a sense of stewardship in the air. Myers, Murphy, and Diaz are sticking around, reprising their now-mythic roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. This isn’t a generational coup so much as a family reunion, with DreamWorks doubling down on continuity—veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn at the helm, plus Brad Ableson (he of yellow minions and Springfield gags) adding his own flavor to the stew. Could be a disaster, could be the kind of loose, heartfelt chaos that gives sequels their rare crackle.The stakes for DreamWorks? Monumental. Bear in mind, Shrek was never just about ogres or princesses. The original in 2001 didn’t so much upend Disney as it gleefully lobbed custard pies at fairy tale convention—swapping sanitized castles for snarky swamp banter, strings of pop songs, and a relentless refusal to take itself seriously. Over the years, and through more sequels, spinoffs, a Christmas special, a Broadway run, and a meme lifespan measured in geological time, the franchise achieved a kind of pop culture omnipresence. Universal theme parks are practically overrun by green ears.But here’s the thing: the franchise has never rested quietly at the bottom of the pond. The 2010 chapter was practically existential—a mid-life crisis for ogres and, by proxy, for anyone who ever felt stuck in a rut (which, by 2025, seems more and more relatable). Now we’re about to see what happens when the swamp goes multigenerational: can a new set of characters and comedic voices keep the world invested, especially now that everyone’s seen Disney try its own hand at self-parody?For DreamWorks, it’s no small gamble. There’s every reason to believe a cast mixing SNL energy, superhero credibility, and Gen Z star power might create a wild new chemistry. Or maybe the result skews too safe, an over-rehearsed jamboree that misses what made the first two Shrek films sing. Frankly, it’s tough terrain: TikTok, therapy speak, and deep-fried memes have moved the goalposts since Mike Myers’ Scottish drawl first echoed through theaters.One has to wonder how Hernández and Gisondo’s Fergus and Farkle will play: sidekicks sliding into side-eye, or something sharper? Will Zendaya’s Felicia rewrite the rules for ogre princesshood, or will she wind up quoted endlessly on Twitter the way Donkey once was, back when Twitter still looked like Twitter? Some bets are safer than others.There’s a curious symmetry here, too—seventeen years since Shrek 2 (the rare sequel that actually elevated its source), and all the old guard is returning, but with an eye towards passing a very sticky torch. Release dates—June 2027 one day, December 2026 another—seem to shift like quicksand, but the hype is locked in regardless. These movies have always worn nostalgia and innovation as mismatched shoes; the next one will live or die by how deftly it matches old heart to new mischief.And, to be honest, sequels this far down the line rarely get the benefit of low expectations. Every studio wants another lightning strike, another billion in the coffers, another license to meme. But Shrek, for better or weirder, has always thrived on refusing to play by the rules—delighting in the mess, the in-jokes, the emotional left-hooks no one saw coming.Maybe in the age of algorithm-driven blockbusters and “event” animated features, there’s something a little subversive about returning to the swamp. Perhaps that’s the point. In this castle, with these ogres, the magic isn’t formulaic. It’s the kind of offbeat, onion-layered chaos you can’t quite predict... and that’s worth gathering around for, one more time.No pressure, DreamWorks. Just remember: it’s not easy being green, but it never was.