The first teaser for Shrek 5 has prompted a strong reaction from fans online, who are thrown by the new design of the characters.
The new clip shows the title character, joined by Fiona and Donkey, as they look at various comedy images of Shrek, inspired by online memes, in the magic mirror.
Reacting to the images, the group are joined by series regular Pinocchio, and the introduction of Zendaya as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter.
Far, Far Away’s finest are coming. pic.twitter.com/7qn8FNIBT6
— Shrek (@Shrek) February 27, 2025
While the clip’s content drew no complaints, the new design of the beloved characters has caused controversy. This is the first time Shrek and the rest of the cast have been on film since 2010’s Shrek Forever After, with the art style said to be in line with the change in the recent Puss In Boots sequel.
While it’s understandable that technology and art techniques may have changed in 15 years, some fans aren’t happy. “Are you guys seeing this….what did they do to her?” said one user on X (formerly Twitter), with a side-by-side of Fiona before and after the change.
are you guys seeing this….what did they do to her pic.twitter.com/XQtn4Xn1nT
— tiktok hater (@vancssasbeckett) February 27, 2025
One fan recalled a past animation controversy , where fans were unhappy with the initial design of Sonic The Hedgehog and campaigned to the point where the film was delayed and the look of the character changed.
They said: “Can we bully dreamworks to change the shrek 5 animation like we did to paramount to change sonic’s animation?”, while another said “Shrek has had a style and look that hasn’t changed since 2001. Now he’s in the puss in boots art style, and it triggered everyone’s fight or flight”.
can we bully dreamworks to change the shrek 5 animation like we did to paramount to change sonic’s animation? https://t.co/WkE82Czc8v
— chu (@THEHORRORGOTH) February 27, 2025
Shrek has had a style and look that hasn’t changed since 2001. Now he’s in the puss in boots art style, and it triggered everyone’s fight or flight. pic.twitter.com/U6hgKAuOvc
— (No) Signal (@NopeSignal) February 27, 2025
Further rejections included a tweet that said: “This is beyond losing the sauce. this is straight up disrespectful to the original art style”, while another asked: “Why does the animation look like an AI interpretation of what Shrek 5 could look like”.
this is beyond losing the sauce. this is straight up disrespectful to the original art style
https://t.co/Ga4OQ2bPtx pic.twitter.com/3gzBIwD3o4
— Frankie Fey ✮ (@frankiefeyy) February 27, 2025
Why does the animation look like an AI interpretation of what Shrek 5 could look like
https://t.co/O1DcTCqfMH pic.twitter.com/M16DYYQYKE
— Saammuel (@Saammuel) February 27, 2025
“Just saw the new animation for shrek 5,” said one post, “Just cancel the whole thing at this point”.
Just saw the new animation for shrek 5 just cancel the whole thing at this point pic.twitter.com/Jkv6MzyJb7
— َ (@sammyfabelmen) February 27, 2025
The change was defended by some. One fan shared: “Unpopular opinion they weren’t redesigned at all the animation studio got better at making models since the last movie was 15 years ago”. Another argued: “Not one person can explain to me why this looks bad other than ‘it’s not the same as it was 20 years ago’”.
unpopular opinion they werent redesigned at all the animation studio got better at making models since the last movie was 15 years ago https://t.co/Gf9UByUIks
— Mer (@shiinypsyduck) February 27, 2025
Not one person can explain to me why this looks bad other than “it’s not the same as it was twenty years ago” https://t.co/tQhLHNZkat
— Jo
(@Goldxn_Violin) February 27, 2025
The film is scheduled for release on December 18 in the UK, with a December 23 release in the US. In January, the miniature donkey who inspired Eddie Murphy’s character in the film was reported to have passed away.
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