‘Shrek 5’ Adds New Director, Delays Release Date

Longtime Dreamworks Animation collaborator Conrad Vernon has returned to the studio to direct Universal/Dreamworks Animation’s Shrek 5 alongside previously-announced Walt Dohrn, who remains onboard as director.

Along with today’s directorial news, the studio announced that the film’s release is being pushed back from July 1, 2026, to Wednesday, December 23, 2026. Another Universal animated feature, Minions 3, which had been planned for summer 2027, will now move into Shrek’s summer 2026 date.

Vernon was a member of the directing team on Shrek 2, and most recently directed The Addams Family 2 and The Addams Family. His other directing credits include Sausage Party, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. He is also the voice of the Gingerbread Man in the Shrek universe.

As announced earlier, Brad Abelson, co-director of Minions: The Rise of Gru, will co-direct the film.

Gina Shay and Chris Meledandri will produce the film. Shay is a Dreamworks vet who produced Shrek Forever After, while Meledandri is the founder of Illumination, makers of Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.