Eddie Murphy to star in *Donkey* spin-off, 2028
Eddie Murphy will voice Donkey in his first solo animated film, *Donkey*, releasing June 30, 2028, marking the character's first headlining role after decades in the *Shrek* franchise. This matters be
Eddie Murphy is returning as Donkey in a new spin-off movie, titled *Donkey*, set for release on June 30, 2028. The animated origin story will follow
Read Full Story at NME Music →Why This Matters
Eddie Murphy’s Donkey spin-off signals a strategic shift in how legacy animated characters are revitalized, leveraging nostalgia while expanding franchise economics to standalone stories. The move reflects Hollywood’s growing investment in character-driven IP, where even supporting figures from classic properties can carry major releases.
Background Context
The *Shrek* franchise, despite its cultural impact, has seen uneven post-original-film performance, with spin-offs like *Puss in Boots* underperforming compared to expectations. Murphy’s Donkey, a fan-favorite sidekick, represents a rare opportunity to monetize a secondary character long after the franchise’s peak.
What Happens Next
Industry watchers will scrutinize the film’s box office returns and critical reception as a test case for future character-driven spin-offs, particularly for animated franchises. If successful, it could greenlight similar projects for other animated side characters from past decades.
Bigger Picture
This development aligns with the broader industry trend of re-exploiting established IP, as studios seek low-risk, high-reward projects amid rising production costs and streaming saturation. It also highlights the enduring marketability of nostalgic animated properties in a landscape shifting toward adult-oriented animation.
