Shrek 5 in the works with original cast coming back

Shrek 5 is officially in the works with hopes that the original cast will be set to come back.

The fifth film in the franchise has been a long time coming for Shrek fans, but the ball finally seems to be rolling on the next instalment.

However, fans had been worried that the original cast, which included the likes of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, may not be involved this time round.

And let's be honest, without these much-loved characters and their voice actors, Shrek wouldn't be the same, but it does appear that fans have nothing to worry about.

This is thanks to a new interview with Illumination Entertainment founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, who has been teasing future projects.

Dreamworks

Speaking exclusively to Variety, he said: "It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with Mario, where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honour those core elements.

"And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that."

He did say that that no deal has been struck with actors as of yet, but did add that negotiations with them are 'going well'.

And considering that Meledandri has mentioned this in an interview and teased it to fans, he obviously feels confident that their returns will be confirmed sooner rather than later.

"We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return," he said.

Dreamworks

Eddie Murphy has previously suggested that he would be up to returning to the Shrek franchise, talking about the prospect of it as recently as January.

Speaking to ETalk, he said: "I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey.

"You know, they did ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I was like, 'They should have did a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey."

Confirming his intention if he hadn't done so already, Murphy added: "I would do a Donkey movie. I would do another Shrek in two seconds."

And Meledandri said he was 'thrilled' when he read the Coming to America star's comments, adding that it was 'evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he so brilliantly inhabited and really created alongside the artists at DreamWorks'.

"I found that comment to be very exciting.” he said.