Brad Ableson: Last News

After releasing early in Australia last weekend, Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru is looking groovy at the international box office, adding $14.6M in 39 new offshore market openings across Wednesday and Thursday. Coupled with Oz’s first week, the running offshore cume through yesterday is $22.5M. A further 21 markets open today including the UK and Spain.

Zendaya has joined the cast of Shrek 5, in a major get for the franchise, as announced on the series’ official X page Thursday morning.

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 will now open on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, instead of July 1 next year.

“Shrek 5” will be released on July 1, 2026.Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy will reprise their roles as Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey, respectively.“Not too Far, Far Away…@Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz,” the studio wrote on X (formerly Twitter).It’s unclear if Antonio Banderas, who plays Puss in Boots in the animated franchise, will return.“Shrek 5” will be directed by Walt Dohrn with Brad Ableson as co-director, according to Variety.Dohrn, 53, was a writer and animator on the second and third “Shrek” films. He served as head of story on the fourth film, where he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin.The fifth movie will be produced by Gina Shay, who worked on the fourth film, and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.The beloved film series started with 2001’s “Shrek” and spawned three sequels — 2004’s “Shrek 2,” 2007’s “Shrek the Third” and 2010’s “Shrek Forever After.”There’s also been two spinoffs based on Banderas’ character — 2011’s “Puss in Boots” and 2022’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” The franchise has grossed more than $4 billion at the worldwide box office.Meledandri, 65, confirmed in April that “Shrek 5” was in the works with the original cast in talks to return.“We anticipate the cast coming back.

Shrek 5″ is officially in development, with a far, far away release date of July 1, 2026. Original “Shrek” stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all confirmed to return.Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGuAntonio Banderas’ return as the feisty feline Puss in Boots is not yet confirmed.

Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru bowed in China today (Friday), grossing an estimated RMB 21.74M ($3.2M), including midnights. This was good for the biggest opening day of a Hollywood animated film during the pandemic.

After a two year delay due to the pandemic, Illumination/Universal’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, the fifth movie in the Despicable Me/Minions universe, arrives looking to lead the Independence Day domestic box office with $70M-$80M over 4-days, and another $70M abroad for a potential $150M global launch. There are no other major studio wide entries over July 4th weekend.

Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru has been set to open the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in a world premiere on June 13. The fest is returning to a fully in-person event after last year’s hybrid edition. Annecy and the Minions franchise have a long history, going back to 2010’s Despicable Me.

Angelique Jackson The Minions are back — and celebrating with a splashy world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.The long-awaited “Minions” sequel, dubbed “The Rise of Gru” will open the festival with a screening on Monday, June 13 in the Grande Salle de Bonlieu.The next chapter in the “Despicable Me” film franchise tells the backstory of how Gru — the world’s greatest supervillain — met his Minions, forming “cinema’s most despicable crew” and facing off against the criminal supergroup, the Vicious 6.“The Minions franchise is inextricably linked to Annecy,” stated Marcel Jean, the festival’s artistic director. “As early as 2010, ‘Despicable Me’ made its mark at the event, and since then each film in the series has started its success here.