Zendaya Joins ‘Shrek 5’ as Shrek’s Teenage Daughter—Fans React to First Trailer
Twenty-five years after Shrek first hit the big screen, the beloved green ogre is back—this time with his teenage daughter, voiced by none other than Zendaya.
On Thursday, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation unveiled a new 30-second teaser for Shrek 5, marking the long-awaited return of the franchise. The trailer features Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Pinocchio, and the introduction of Felicia, Shrek’s teenage daughter. Sporting deep green lipstick, a half-up-half-down hairstyle, and a nose ring, Felicia makes her debut with a very on-brand reaction: “Ew!”—a classic teenage moment, much to Fiona’s amusement.
The casting announcement came alongside a re-shared post from Zendaya’s 2017 X (formerly Twitter) account, where she admitted: “I watch Shrek too often in my adulthood.”
Who Is Felicia?
Fans of the franchise will remember that adolescent ogres were first introduced in Shrek the Third (2007), when Shrek and Fiona welcomed triplets Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia. Until now, the triplets have only appeared as babies in the films, making Shrek 5 the first time we see them as teenagers.
Mixed Reactions to the Trailer
While Zendaya’s casting has received praise, the animation style in the trailer has sparked debate among fans.
Many took to social media to express concerns that the visuals look too polished, with characters appearing overly airbrushed and youthful.
“Please tone down the animation,” one Instagram user commented. “You can upgrade quality without making them look airbrushed and overly polished.”
Others drew comparisons to Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog movie, which faced backlash for its too-realistic CGI before being redesigned.
“If we can collectively pressure the producers of ‘Sonic’ to fix that movie, we can try to fix this! This looks like the Temu version of ‘Shrek,'” another fan joked.
Adding to the discussion, TikTok user Roger G questioned why the franchise was continuing after Shrek Forever After (2010), which had been marketed as “The Final Chapter.”
“Why are we going from ‘The Final Chapter’ to ‘Shrek 5’?” he commented.
Despite the debate, excitement remains high for the return of Shrek, with fans eager to see Zendaya bring her signature charm to Felicia.
When Will ‘Shrek 5’ Be Released?
Shrek 5 is slated for release in 2026, marking the franchise’s first film in over a decade. While details on the plot remain under wraps, fans can expect the return of their favorite fairy-tale misfits—and plenty of ogre-sized laughs.