Movies

First ‘Shrek 5’ Teaser Confirms Sequel Voice Cast

BBG News

The gang’s all here. Shrek. Fiona. Donkey. And everyone’s favorite character, Shrekette.

It turns out that the character isn’t referred to as Shrekette, although it seems fitting. Instead, a fresh face joining the cast for the upcoming Shrek 5 is called Felicia. Given her background, it’s not hard to guess that she is the offspring of Shrek and Fiona.

A fresh sneak peek for the upcoming movie hints that Zendaya is portraying the character, fueling excitement within me to imagine a remake of Challengers featuring Shrek, Fiona, and perhaps Farquaad (though that’s a thought for another time). I might discuss this intriguing idea with my therapist someday.

Watch the Shrek 5 teaser below…

Additionally, the trailer makes it clear that original franchise actors like Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy are set to reprise their characters in the upcoming sequel too.

15 years after the release of “Shrek Forever After”, marking the supposed conclusion of the series, comes the first sequel: “Shrek 5”. Despite earlier assumptions that the franchise about the swashbuckling ogre and his witty donkey companion was finished, it has remained a beloved classic. In between, two spin-off films featuring Antonio Banderas’ character Puss in Boots have graced our screens.

The upcoming sequel is led by Walt Dohrn, known for his work on various story departments of Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, and as the director of Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together. It’s also directed by Conrad Vernon, who has previously worked on Shrek 2, Monsters vs Aliens, Sausage Party, and both animated Addams Family films.

The fifth installment of “Shrek,” titled “Shrek 5,” is slated for release in cinemas during Christmas 2026. However, I’ve always felt that the story should revolve around Shrekette instead. I can’t seem to shake this idea off.

The Best Sequels Made From Bad Movies

15. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)

Originally, I wasn’t anticipating much from the third installment of the relatively tame animated series, “Madagascar” (2005). However, “Europe’s Most Wanted” could be one of the most drug-referencing children’s movies since “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Unlike its predecessors, “Europe’s Most Wanted” doesn’t cohere as a coherent story – it’s about our characters trying to return to New York City while evading an obsessive animal control agent (Frances McDormand) – but it maintains the fast-paced, uninhibited silliness of a classic “Looney Tunes” cartoon.

14. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

Revised Version: The sequel, titled Spirit of Vengeance (2011), surpasses the original Ghost Rider (2007) in many aspects, yet it still falls short of reaching the wild and intense level that a Nic Cage-led Neveldine/Taylor superhero film typically offers. Improvements have been made to Ghost Rider’s character design and his motorcycle, but screen time for the character is limited. In the original movie, Nicolas Cage delivered some striking eccentricities, including an inexplicable Elvis accent and more pronounced personality traits. In this sequel, while Cage still showcases his unique brand of insanity, it’s less frequent, confined to a few scenes. The Ghost Rider series is one of the rare franchises that seemed to be improving; if a third film had been made, it could have resulted in something extraordinary and memorable.

13. xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)

A Revision Of: xXx (2002)

……….

Vin Diesel, smart enough to acknowledge the ridiculousness of a 50-year-old man portraying an anti-establishment extreme sports enthusiast turned secret agent in 2017’s Return of Xander Cage, chose to embrace the absurdity. Instead of his typical intense action hero scowl from the original xXx, Diesel opted for a more casual smile. The only thing that ties his character in the first movie to this one are his over-the-top tattoos, but it seems like Diesel is genuinely enjoying himself; this might be his most laid-back performance yet. The original xXx now appears more dated than the classic James Bond movies it aimed to update. However, Return of Xander Cage plays it all with a knowing wink, making it still enjoyable.

In 2017’s Return of Xander Cage, Vin Diesel understood that playing an older extreme sports enthusiast turned secret agent was silly. Instead of his usual intense action hero look, he smiled more. The only thing linking the character from the first movie to this one is his large tattoos, but it looks like Diesel is having fun. This might be his most relaxed performance ever. Although the original xXx now seems outdated, Return of Xander Cage is still entertaining because it’s aware of its silliness.

12. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, released in 2005, outshines its prequels, much like how a severe bout of sickness might seem less awful when compared to two milder instances. The transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader, and later into a character reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster, is more absurd than George Lucas intended; however, the haunting scenes of Vader and the Emperor watching the Death Star are undeniably chilling. It’s unusual for blockbuster movies to end on a somber note, but one that concludes with most major characters either dead or under the control of an evil emperor is hard not to find intriguing, if not respectable.

11. Desperado (1995)

A Revision Of: El Mariachi (1992)

The legendary production background of Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi – he made the movie for only $7,000, a portion of which he earned by taking part in experimental drug trials – is so remarkable it’s simple to disregard the film’s obvious budget constraints. For his subsequent project, Rodriguez received a Hollywood budget and rising stars like Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. The outcome surpassed the initial movie in every imaginable aspect, boasting better acting, clearer direction, and heightened action scenes.

10. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012)

A Revised Version Of: Universal Soldier (1992)
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning, in my opinion, epitomizes the perfect direct-to-video sequel. It leverages an established intellectual property primarily as a means to create a bizarre film that wouldn’t be greenlit otherwise if it weren’t marketed as a follow-up to a popular franchise. The original Universal Soldier, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a rather forgettable action flick from his 90s prime. Contrarily, Day of Reckoning – which is actually the sixth installment in the series featuring reanimated warriors turned programmable assassins – is surreal and psychedelic, with Van Damme portraying a kind of undead rendition of Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now. He is building an army to execute his twisted commands, while a character reminiscent of Captain Willard (Scott Adkins) is assigned to track him down and neutralize him. On paper, the plot may seem derivative; however, its execution is anything but ordinary. The narrative weaves in false memories, dream sequences that border on the bizarre, and intense fight scenes, making this sequel a truly unique addition to the franchise.

9. Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)

A Refreshed Perspective: Originally titled Undisputed (2002), the film by Walter Hill is not poor quality; it’s a competent B-movie that could be seen as a boxing version of The Longest Yard. The third installment of Undisputed, however, transforms the villain from the previous sequel, Boyka (portrayed by Scott Adkins, known for his outstanding work in Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning and direct-to-video sequels), into an anti-hero striving to reduce his prison sentence by participating in a brutal MMA tournament within the prison walls. The plot may not be intricate, but the fights are spectacular, with detailed choreography skillfully captured in long, dramatic shots by director Isaac Florentine. Merely mentioning this film makes me eager to rewatch it.

8. The Suicide Squad (2021)

Originally, Marvel erred by allowing James Gunn’s departure from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which opened the door for him to revitalize the struggling DC Extended Universe’s Suicide Squad series at a rival studio. Instead of continuing the mistakes made in the previous Suicide Squad film, Gunn focused on strengthening key characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller while discarding the rest (unfortunately for Jared Leto).

In their stead, Gunn injected more humor and introduced new favorites such as Idris Elba’s Bloodsport and John Cena’s Peacemaker, whose superhuman physique and twisted sense of humor make him a fitting satire of overzealous patriotic heroes. Brimming with violence, laughter, and an unexpected beauty, The Suicide Squad is the film that fans hoped the original Suicide Squad would become.

7. Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

As a fervent admirer, I must say that the original Ouija movie (2014) was pretty much what you’d anticipate from a film spun off by a toy company. However, the follow-up, which surprisingly falls under the same category, significantly surpassed expectations. The credit for this impressive feat goes to Mike Flanagan, who later became renowned for his masterful horror series on Netflix like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. In an extraordinary twist, he transformed what could have been mere promotional material into a somber and genuinely unsettling narrative about the ghostly apparitions that haunt those grappling with the loss of loved ones, whether they dabble in planchettes or not.

6. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

In a more fluid and reader-friendly manner,

Originally: The Next Generation film saga had a bumpy beginning with Generations (1994), an uneasy effort to adapt the charm of the television series for the big screen. However, producers corrected course with the subsequent installment, First Contact, which revolved around Captain Picard and his crew using time travel to prevent the Borg from hindering the formation of the Federation. With high stakes and a compelling performance by Patrick Stewart as Picard, who despises the Borg due to their actions in the TV series of The Next Generation, First Contact is a film that can be compared favorably with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

The initial phase of The Next Generation movie series started shakily in Generations (1994), as it struggled to capture the essence of the TV show for the big screen. But producers successfully steered the ship right with the next release, First Contact, which featured Captain Picard and his crew traveling back in time to stop the Borg from interfering with the Federation’s inception. Boasting grand ambitions and a powerful portrayal by Patrick Stewart as Picard (whose animosity towards the Borg stemmed from their actions in The Next Generation series), First Contact stands alongside Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in terms of quality.

5. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

A Different Take On: The classic horror film, “Friday the 13th” (1980)

Initially, the first “Friday the 13th” followed in the footsteps of John Carpenter’s popular “Halloween.” However, it wasn’t until subsequent installments that the series truly found its rhythm and introduced its iconic villain, Jason Voorhees (who was a misdirection in the first film). The fourth film, titled “The Final Chapter,” offered a frightening experience comparable to the original, but for my opinion, “Part VI: Jason Lives” surpasses it. This film acknowledges the peculiar fictional world these movies occupy and makes fun of slasher movie conventions; in essence, it serves as an early prototype for later self-aware horror films like “Scream.” No matter what you call it, one thing is certain – it’s far more entertaining than the initial “Friday the 13th.

4. Fast Five (2011)

A Fresh Take On: The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Fast Five marked the transformation of a movie franchise born from a unique street racing concept into an exhilarating spectacle that celebrates absurdity in all its glory. Street racing is scarcely present; instead, it’s more about executing a high-stakes heist, reminiscent of Ocean’s Eleven but fueled by Muscle Milk and NOS energy drinks. What sets Fast Five apart from similar films (apart from the obvious car focus and death-defying stunts) is the camaraderie and authentic relationships between characters. In contrast to the usual heist movies featuring cold, calculating professionals, Fast Five revolves around a tightly-knit group of friends who refer to themselves as “family.” (This is the installment where this term truly becomes the franchise’s signature.) When faced with adversity, they choose loyalty over self-interest.

3. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

George Miller viewed “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” as a chance to excel; an opportunity to build upon the lessons he learned from the challenging production of the initial “Mad Max” and translate them onto the screen. Indeed, Miller proved himself to be a gifted pupil. While the first “Mad Max” is an unpolished film with a raw performance by Mel Gibson and a few outstanding car stunts, “The Road Warrior” stands as a legendary masterpiece; an epic tale about a nomadic hero, scarred by past traumas, who rediscovers his strength through action and self-sacrifice. “The Road Warrior” uses a broader palette and resonates more deeply emotionally than “Mad Max.” It’s so impressive that it not only outshone its predecessor, but effectively made it redundant.

2. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

In my opinion, I found “Hellboy: The Golden Army” to be significantly superior to the 2004 version in numerous aspects. Gone are the dull characters that plagued the first film, with Hellboy himself even being relocated to Antarctica as a joke about this change. The antagonists in this sequel are far more captivating and complex, their primary motivation of “Humanity sucks” adding a tragic depth to their roles.

The effects and creature designs are notably sharper, reflecting Guillermo del Toro’s unique style, and each character seems to be grappling with higher stakes. Even minor characters like Abe Sapien, the quirky fish man, are given more depth, including a personal arc and a love interest. If you ask me, Guillermo del Toro should have won his Oscar for this movie instead of “The Shape of Water”.

1. Logan (2017)

A Possible Rewrite: The contrast in quality between the disappointing debut film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), and its exceptional sequel, Logan, is as vast as it gets. Whereas the former failed to fully capture the raw, tragic essence of the title character, the latter succeeded brilliantly. The first R-rated film allowed for a grittier, more intense narrative that perfectly reflected the story of Wolverine’s twilight years. Moreover, this rating elevated the tension in fights where his healing factor was essentially nullified.
In Logan, played by Hugh Jackman, the title character is aging so much that his mutant power is beginning to falter, which wouldn’t be such a problem if he didn’t suddenly have a new purpose – protecting a young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen), genetically linked to him. This creates an excellent foundation for Wolverine’s final chapter, and director James Mangold delivered the story with a poignant, melancholic tone.

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2025-02-28 19:54

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