The Epic Return: Where Are The Shrek 4 Actors Now And The Shocking Updates On Shrek 5's Cast

The question of "Shrek 4 actors" often leads fans down a rabbit hole, as the film officially known as Shrek Forever After (released in 2010) was originally marketed as the final chapter. However, in the current landscape of late 2025, the conversation has completely changed, shifting from a nostalgic look back to an exciting anticipation of the future. The original, legendary voice cast—Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz—are not just resting on their laurels; they are making major comebacks, and all signs point to their unanimous return for the next installment, *Shrek 5*, making the "Shrek 4" cast more relevant than ever.

This article dives deep into the actors who brought the beloved characters of Far Far Away to life in the fourth film, their comprehensive biographies, and the critical, up-to-the-minute updates on their careers, including their confirmed involvement in the franchise's unexpected continuation.

The Core Voice Cast of Shrek Forever After (Shrek 4) and Their Recent Career Updates

The success of the *Shrek* franchise hinges entirely on the chemistry of its core trio and the iconic voices that defined a generation of animated comedy. Here is a detailed look at the actors who starred in *Shrek Forever After* and their most recent projects, proving their star power is still at its peak.

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Mike Myers as Shrek

• Birth Name: Michael John Myers
• Born: May 25, 1963 (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada)
• Known For: *Saturday Night Live*, *Wayne's World*, *Austin Powers* franchise, *Shrek* franchise.
• Key Role in Shrek 4: The titular ogre, Shrek, who signs a life-altering contract with Rumpelstiltskin to experience a day of "real ogre life."
• Recent Career Update: While Myers has kept a lower profile than his co-stars, his return to the spotlight is imminent. He recently starred in the limited series *The Pentaverate* and is reportedly attached to a new project, *See Me Feel Me: Keith Moon Naked For Your Pleasure* (TBA). Crucially, he has been confirmed to reprise his role for the upcoming *Shrek 5*, and has even teased the potential for a long-awaited *Austin Powers 4*.

Eddie Murphy as Donkey

• Birth Name: Edward Regan Murphy
• Born: April 3, 1961 (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
• Known For: *Saturday Night Live*, *Beverly Hills Cop* franchise, *The Nutty Professor*, *Dreamgirls*.
• Key Role in Shrek 4: Shrek's best friend, Donkey, who, in the alternate timeline, has never met Shrek and is forced to work as a cart-puller for the witches.
• Recent Career Update: Eddie Murphy is in the midst of a major career resurgence. He starred in the highly anticipated Netflix sequel *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*, which was released in 2024. He also has the upcoming action-comedy film *The Pickup* (2025) and the spy film *Blue Falcon* in the works. Most excitingly for fans, not only is he confirmed for *Shrek 5*, but a standalone *Donkey Spinoff Film* is also reportedly in development, with Murphy eager to return.

Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona

• Birth Name: Cameron Michelle Diaz
• Born: August 30, 1972 (San Diego, California, USA)
• Known For: *There's Something About Mary*, *Charlie's Angels*, *The Mask*, *Gangs of New York*.
• Key Role in Shrek 4: Princess Fiona, who is a fierce, battle-hardened warrior leading an ogre resistance in the timeline where she was never rescued by Shrek.
• Recent Career Update: Diaz famously announced her retirement from acting in 2018, making her return to the *Shrek* franchise a significant event. She officially came out of retirement for the Netflix action-comedy *Back in Action* (2024/2025). Her comeback continues with the upcoming film *Bad Day* and the Apple TV+ project *Outcome*. Her confirmed return as Princess Fiona in *Shrek 5* marks a full-circle moment for her career.

The Star-Studded Ensemble: Supporting Actors Who Defined the Final Chapter

While the main trio drives the narrative, *Shrek Forever After* introduced a pivotal new villain and featured a host of returning and new supporting voices that cemented the film's unique, darker tone. These entities add significant topical authority to the cast list.

The Returning Royal Family and Companion

The familiar voices of the royal family and Shrek's sassy sidekick were essential to maintaining continuity, even in the alternate reality.

• Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots: The suave, swashbuckling cat returns, though in the alternate reality, he has become an overweight, pampered house cat. Banderas has continued his successful run with the *Puss in Boots* spin-off films, most recently *Puss in Boots: The Last Wish* (2022), which was a critical and commercial hit. He is also confirmed to return for *Shrek 5*.
• Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian: The Queen of Far Far Away. The legendary actress and singer brings her regal voice back to the role.
• John Cleese as King Harold: Fiona’s father. The Monty Python star’s voice provides the perfect blend of royal exasperation and paternal love.

The New Faces: The Villain and The Witches

The fourth film introduced one of the franchise's most memorable villains, Rumpelstiltskin, and the formidable Coven of Witches.

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• Walt Dohrn as Rumpelstiltskin: The main antagonist of *Shrek Forever After*. Dohrn, who is also an accomplished writer and director for DreamWorks, delivered a surprisingly menacing and petulant performance as the tiny, conniving villain. His character is central to the film's plot, manipulating Shrek into signing the fateful contract.
• Jon Hamm as Brogan: Hamm, best known for his dramatic work on *Mad Men*, lent his voice to Brogan, a fellow ogre in Fiona’s resistance army in the alternate timeline.
• Jane Lynch as Gretched: The Emmy-winning actress and comedian, famous for *Glee*, voiced one of the prominent members of the coven of witches who serve Rumpelstiltskin.
• Craig Robinson as Cookie: Robinson, known for his roles in *The Office* and *Pineapple Express*, voiced Cookie, the ogre who cooks for the resistance.
• Lake Bell as Patrol Witch / Wagon Witch #2: A versatile actress and director, Bell provided the voice for multiple witch characters, adding to the ensemble.

The Shocking Shrek 5 Updates: Why the Original Cast is Back in the News

The most compelling reason the "Shrek 4 actors" are dominating current headlines is the official, yet still mysterious, status of *Shrek 5*. For years, the project was dormant, but recent announcements have not only confirmed its existence but also the return of the original voice talent, sparking immense fan curiosity.

The Confirmation of the Original Trio

In a move that delighted fans worldwide, studio executives confirmed that Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all set to return to their iconic roles for the fifth main installment. This is a crucial piece of news, especially given Diaz's hiatus from Hollywood. Their commitment signals a genuine belief in the script and the direction of the new film.

The Donkey Spinoff and Expanded Universe

The topical authority surrounding the *Shrek* universe has expanded significantly beyond the main films. The success of the *Puss in Boots* movies, particularly *The Last Wish*, has proven the franchise's longevity. Eddie Murphy's enthusiastic comments about a potential *Donkey Spinoff* have fueled further speculation, suggesting that the voice actors from *Shrek Forever After* could be anchoring multiple DreamWorks projects for the next decade.

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The Shifting Release Window

While an official, locked-in release date remains elusive, various reports have placed *Shrek 5* on the calendar for a 2026 or 2027 premiere. The original target date of July 2026 has seen some delays, with a current rumored date shifting to June 30, 2027. These delays are often a sign that the studio is prioritizing script and animation quality to ensure the fifth film lives up to the high standard set by its predecessors, including the beloved *Shrek Forever After*.

Topical Entities & LSI Keywords Summary

The current conversation around the *Shrek 4* cast is rich with related entities, including: *Shrek 5*, *Donkey Spinoff*, *Puss in Boots: The Last Wish*, *Back in Action* (Cameron Diaz's comeback film), *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* (Eddie Murphy's recent hit), *Rumpelstiltskin*, *Far Far Away*, *Ogre Resistance*, *The Final Chapter*, and the original voice actors: *Mike Myers*, *Eddie Murphy*, *Cameron Diaz*, and *Antonio Banderas*.