Eddie Murphy has expressed his ongoing enthusiasm for taking part in the Eddie Murphy Shrek movies, revealing a willingness to continue voicing Donkey for as long as the franchise continues. The Hollywood icon made it clear on November 12, 2025, that he thoroughly enjoys reprising the animated character, further cementing his dedication to the beloved film series produced in Hollywood.
Returning to a Beloved Role in the Shrek Franchise
Since 2001, Murphy has brought Donkey to life, offering a performance that stands out in a cast full of comedic talent. Now aged 65, he is set to return for the upcoming fifth installment of the Shrek series. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy shared his excitement about returning, explaining how much he enjoys working with the ensemble.
“Donkey is a great character to play. I love the whole cast. So I was excited when it was like, ‘Hey, they’re doing another one,’ and they want to do a Donkey one, too. I’m totally into it. I come in too hot, every vocal session.”
— Eddie Murphy, Actor
The Challenges and Joys of Voicing Donkey
While he relishes each recording session, Murphy acknowledged the demanding nature of the role. He spoke candidly about the physical toll that the energetic vocal performance can take, often resulting in headaches.
“The donkey has a lot of singing. You’re on 10, and you’re doing it over and over again. The great thing, though, is it’s appreciated. Everybody loves the movie. Nothing’s worse than working really hard on something, and doing makeup and sweat and all this shit, and then you put it out, and they’d be like, ‘Two thumbs down.’ You go, ‘I was in the makeup chair for 50 hours!’”
— Eddie Murphy, Actor
Aspiring to Reinvent Classic Characters
Outside the Eddie Murphy Shrek movies, Murphy shared ambitions to revitalize the Pink Panther series, expressing interest in bringing his own interpretation to the role. When asked whether he had sought advice from past Pink Panther actor Steve Martin, Murphy explained he preferred to rely on his own creative instincts, recalling that Peter Sellers was the original Inspector Clouseau in his eyes.
“There’s been a few movies in my career where it was like, ‘OK, I’m doing this movie because no black person has ever done a movie like this.’ It was like, a black Dr. Dolittle? So I had to do this movie. [And] they had no black Inspector Clouseau. That’s like a black James Bond to me. I’m just looking forward to going into this area that nobody else black had been in before.”
— Eddie Murphy, Actor
Focusing on Enduring Success Over Awards
Murphy, whose career includes comic success as both a comedian and film star in franchises such as Beverly Hills Cop and the iconic Eddie Murphy Shrek movies, emphasized that artistic and commercial achievements matter more to him than formal accolades. Although he has never won an Oscar, his perspective remains focused on the impact of his work.
“You know what I’ve earned over these years? One day, they’ll give me one of those honorary Oscars. When I’m really old. And I’ll say thank you so much for this wonderful honour. I’ll be old like that and I’ll have no teeth. I’m cool with getting my honorary Oscar when I’m 90.”
— Eddie Murphy, Actor
Looking Ahead to Future Projects
As Murphy continues to work on Shrek movies, Hollywood audiences eagerly anticipate the developments both in the planned fifth film and the potential Donkey spin-off. With plans to approach the Pink Panther franchise and a career that has shaped comedy and animated cinema, Murphy’s ongoing contributions remain significant to his fans, colleagues such as Steve Martin, and the broader film industry. Whether in the recording booth or exploring new roles, Murphy’s commitment to his craft promises to impact the landscape of entertainment for years to come.
