Shrek enthusiasts were treated to an exciting surprise with the recent teaser for Shrek 5, which unveiled Zendaya as the latest addition to the cast in an intriguing new role.

Released by Universal Pictures on Thursday, February 27, via social media platforms, the teaser provided the first look at the character voiced by Zendaya. At 28, Zendaya will join the beloved ensemble of the franchise alongside original stars such as Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as the ever-charming Donkey.

You can watch the official cast announcement trailer below.

In the teaser, a humorous exchange ensues when Donkey consults the magic mirror about who the fairest of them all is, only to be interrupted by Shrek, Fiona, and the newly introduced character voiced by Zendaya, who is revealed to be their daughter. Pinocchio also appears, lying as his nose lengthens, adding a touch of the franchise's iconic humor.

The revelation of Zendaya's role was met with enthusiastic responses from fans, especially given her previous declaration of love for Shrek. In 2017, Zendaya tweeted about her frequent viewings of Shrek in her adulthood, a post that the official Shrek social media later highlighted with a playful comment, "This aged well," upon announcing her casting.

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Social media reactions varied from admiration to skepticism. One fan expressed admiration on X (formerly known as Twitter), commenting, "Zendaya going from Spider-Man to Shrek? That's range," while another fan celebrated the casting as a "full circle moment" for the actress who is a self-proclaimed huge fan of the series.

Another fan excitedly noted, "Zendaya voicing Shrek's daughter!! Baby got her dream role. I'm giggling."

Amid the praise for Zendaya, there was some criticism of the film, particularly regarding changes in animation style. One viewer lamented, "What happened to the animation? The previous versions were fantastic. Hopefully, they improve it before release," reflecting a broader concern among fans hoping for consistency in the film’s visual presentation.

my honest reaction pic.twitter.com/VFHR4MzkZ0

— Boomi Mamana 🎀 【lucid ☁️】 (@stfuboomi) February 27, 2025

Despite mixed reactions to the new animation style and extensive cast, the Shrek series remains a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 2001, capturing an Oscar and spawning several sequels and spinoffs, such as Puss in Boots and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Shrek 5 is eagerly anticipated and is scheduled for theatrical release on December 25, 2026.

Photo Credit: Official Trailer on YouTube