Zendaya is heading back to the animated world.
According to Deadline, the Emmy-winning star has officially joined the voice cast of Shrek 5, DreamWorks Animation’s long-awaited return to the hit comedy franchise.
In the upcoming sequel, Zendaya will voice Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Princess Fiona, adding another role to her already packed slate.
The casting news comes as Saturday Night Live standout Marcello Hernández and Superman actor Skyler Gisondo also sign on to the film. Hernández and Gisondo will voice Fergus and Farkle, the twin sons of Shrek and Fiona. Together, the trio rounds out the ogre family as the franchise shifts its focus to a new generation.
Longtime fans won’t be left behind, though. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all returning to their respective roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. Murphy’s Donkey, in particular, remains one of the franchise’s most popular characters, and his return has been a consistent point of excitement since the sequel was first announced.
Shrek 5 is set for release on June 30, 2027, with direction handled by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn. Vernon previously directed Shrek 2 and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, while also voicing Gingy, the Gingerbread Man. Dohrn has been involved with the Shrek universe since its early days as a writer and story artist, and previously voiced Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After. Brad Ableson, who worked on Minions: The Rise of Gru, is also attached as a co-director.
Production duties fall to Gina Shay, who produced Shrek Forever After, alongside Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, best known for the Despicable Me, Minions, and Super Mario Bros. Movie franchises.
The Shrek franchise has grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide across four films, with the original 2001 movie winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Beyond film, the franchise expanded into a Broadway musical, global tours, and theme park attractions—making the return of the series, and Zendaya’s role in it, a noteworthy moment for fans old and new.