Marcello Hernández and Skyler Gisondo are stepping into the world of Far Far Away, joining the voice cast of Shrek 5 as Shrek and Fiona’s sons, Fergus and Farkle. Their casting marks one of the most significant updates to the long-running animated franchise, signalling a generational expansion while retaining the familiar charm that has kept the series culturally relevant for more than two decades. Hernández, known for his sharp comedic timing on Saturday Night Live, has quickly built a career blending sketch humour with character-based roles. He is also part of the upcoming comedy 72 Hours and appears in Happy Gilmore 2, continuing to establish himself as a rising comedic voice in Hollywood. Gisondo, by contrast, enters the franchise with a different trajectory — one defined by nuanced performances across prestige films and popular studio projects. After portraying Jimmy Olsen in last year’s reboot of Superman and earning acclaim for his turns in Licorice Pizza and Booksmart, he brings an understated wit that aligns naturally with DreamWorks’ approach to layered animation storytelling.
Their addition comes at a moment when Shrek 5 is positioned as both a continuation of a beloved universe and a strategic revival for the franchise. Scheduled for release on June 30, 2027, the film will be distributed by Universal Pictures and produced under the creative guidance of DreamWorks Animation, marking one of the studio’s most high-profile returns to legacy IP in recent years. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all set to reprise their roles as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona, anchoring the film with the voices that shaped the identity of the original quadrilogy. Their return ensures continuity in tone, performance, and emotional familiarity, something audiences consistently gravitate toward in long-running animated franchises.
Adding to this returning ensemble is Zendaya, who will voice Felicia, Shrek and Fiona’s daughter. Her casting strengthens the generational thread emerging in the new film. Zendaya’s recent voice and screen roles highlight her versatility, and bringing her into the Shrek universe expands the emotional range and contemporary presence of the ogre family. With the inclusion of Fergus and Farkle voiced by Hernández and Gisondo, the upcoming film appears to be building toward a more intergenerational narrative, allowing the story to evolve while still reflecting the original films’ comedic irreverence and emotional sincerity.
A crucial piece of the revival lies in the involvement of Chris Meledandri, the founder and head of Illumination. Known globally for shaping modern animation hits including Despicable Me, the Minions franchise and the blockbuster success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Meledandri has been vocal about the importance of reviving Shrek in a way that respects its roots while embracing current audience sensibilities. His collaboration with DreamWorks represents a merging of two of the most influential voices in 21st-century animation, making Shrek 5 one of the industry’s most closely watched animated releases.
The shift in casting and the introduction of new characters also reflect a broader storytelling intention. Fergus and Farkle have appeared in previous franchise materials, but their personalities and roles were never fully explored. With Hernández and Gisondo stepping into these characters, the film gains the opportunity to flesh out family dynamics, explore Shrek’s life as a father in more depth and bring new comedic rhythms that come with younger performers known for both humour and heart. These choices align with a familiar animation trend — revitalising long-standing franchises by expanding the generational lens, enabling stories to resonate with both original fans and new audiences.
Hernández’s comedic style, shaped by sketch performance and observational humour, is likely to translate into a lively, unpredictable rendition of one of the ogre sons, complementing the franchise’s established wit. Gisondo’s strength in blending awkward charm with emotional subtlety positions him to deliver a performance with nuance, balancing the louder comedic moments with grounding sincerity. Together, their presence introduces a fresh dynamic that intertwines seamlessly with the returning ensemble, offering more space for sibling interplay, family-driven comedy and updated humour reflective of contemporary sensibilities.
As Shrek 5 continues its development, the film appears positioned at the intersection of nostalgia and reinvention. The return of the original cast anchors it firmly in the emotional landscape that shaped earlier instalments, while the addition of new voices ushers in a tonal evolution that can carry the franchise into the next decade. The involvement of Zendaya, Hernández and Gisondo underscores a deliberate effort to diversify comedic styles within the film, blending established talent with emerging performers whose voices resonate with younger viewers.
The franchise remains one of the most pivotal properties in modern animation, and its return after more than a decade signals not just a continuation, but a conscious recalibration of its legacy. With its mixture of familiar characters, new generational roles and a production team linking DreamWorks and Illumination’s creative philosophies, Shrek 5 stands poised to deliver a renewed chapter that extends the mythology of Far Far Away while staying true to the tone that has kept fans invested since 2001.
