Donkey is stepping out of Shrek's shadow after DreamWorks confirmed the wisecracking sidekick will lead his own standalone film — with Eddie Murphy returning to voice the fan-favourite character in an origin story due in cinemas in 2028.

The animated feature, titled Donkey!, is scheduled for release on 30 June 2028 and will explore how the talkative companion first became the character audiences met in the original Shrek.

The announcement comes a year after the planned release of Shrek 5, which is due to arrive in cinemas in summer 2027, reuniting Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz as Donkey, Shrek and Princess Fiona.

Zendaya has also joined the cast of the long-awaited sequel, marking the latest expansion of one of animation's most commercially successful franchises.

Universal and DreamWorks confirmed Donkey! will be directed by Charlie Bean, whose previous credits include The Lego Batman Movie and the live-action Lady and the Tramp.

Rebecca Huntley, who produced Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys, will serve as producer, while DreamWorks story artist Matt Flynn will co-direct the film.

The project will serve as an origin story exploring how an ordinary donkey became the endlessly optimistic companion whose rapid-fire humour helped define the Shrek series.