There are many theories about what Shrek 5 will be about, and one suggests a great way to solve a major mystery about the ogres while continuing a key franchise trend. The world of animation has seen the rise of studios that have become strong compeтιтion for Disney and Pixar, and at the top is DreamWorks. The project that boosted the studio and established it as a compeтιтor to Pixar is Shrek, released in 2000. Loosely based on the 1990 children’s picture book of the same name by William Steig, Shrek gave an unexpected but refreshing twist to fairy tales.

The first adventure of Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) was a huge critical and commercial success, making way for a media franchise. Shrek was followed by three sequels, with the fourth movie released in 2010. After expanding with the Puss in Boots spinoff movies, the Shrek movie saga is coming back to life with the long-awaited Shrek 5. There are many possibilities for the plot of Shrek 5, but one theory offers not just an interesting idea but also one that can solve the franchise’s big ogre mystery.

Shrek 5 Theory Suggests Shrek’s Father Will Return

Shrek’s Father Could Trigger Shrek 5’s Story

As Shrek Forever After seemed to be the final entry in the Shrek movie saga and it gave a proper ending to Shrek and Fiona’s story, it’s hard to say where Shrek 5’s story could go. As mentioned above, there are many theories about what Shrek 5 could be about, the characters that could be introduced, and more, with some even taking inspiration from the Puss in Boots spinoffs. However, the answer could be in one of the biggest mysteries in the franchise: the fate of ogres, and with this, the fate of Shrek’s parents.

Shrek is introduced as a solitary ogre living alone in his swamp and enjoying the solitude this brings. He loves scaring people away and has no interest in connecting with anyone. There’s no mention of Shrek’s parents until Shrek 3 when he mentions that his father tried to eat him once. It’s unclear throughout the first four Shrek movies if Shrek’s parents are alive or not or if he has any other family, somewhere – and this could be solved in Shrek 5 by finally introducing his father.

A theory shared on Reddit suggests Shrek 5 could explore the story of Shrek’s parents, who would be just like Shrek in the first movie: human-hating ogres who want nothing with other creatures. The conflict would be in how much Shrek has changed for the better, which to his parents would be for the worse – not only is Shrek now kinder and friends with many other creatures, but he’s also married to a human-turned-ogre and is father to three ogres. All this could be seen by his parents as Shrek renouncing his ogre nature, creating conflict between the families.

Another Reddit user suggests a different way of bringing Shrek’s father into the story of Shrek 5. This idea focuses more on their father/son relationship and what went wrong in it. The author points out that Shrek has shown to be ignorant about some of the things ogres can do, which shows that he didn’t have the guidance of his father when he was young. Now that Shrek is a father, he could really use the help of his own father, but that would depend on how good or bad their relationship is.

Shrek 5 Theory Debunks A Major One About The Ogres’ Fate

Maybe There Are Ogres, After All

As the fate of ogres in the world of Shrek is a mystery, there are a couple of theories about what could have happened to them. One of the most popular ones suggests Shrek is responsible for ogres being extinct, and so he’s the only ogre left (this before Fiona fully turned into one). Shrek Forever After raised many questions about ogres when, in the timeline where Shrek was never born, there were many, many ogres, with Fiona even leading an army. However, when Shrek returns to his timeline, he and his family are still the only ogres around.

A theory says Shrek is the only ogre who survived Far Far Away’s ogre killings, which could have been ordered by Lord Farquaad or some other, unknown, powerful character. How and why Shrek survived is unclear, but the theory can take a more tragic path. A possibility is that Shrek was somehow involved in the ogre killings, either accidentally leading the killers to the place where they all lived or being tricked by humans. This would explain Shrek’s bitterness and isolation, as well as why there aren’t more ogres.

The above theory about Shrek’s father being part of Shrek 5 would completely debunk the one about Shrek being the last ogre standing and possibly being responsible for many ogre deaths. Through Shrek’s father, the movie can explain what happened to the rest of the ogres, as it’s unlikely that Shrek and his father would be the only true ogres left.

This Shrek 5 Theory Continues A Franchise Trend About His Development

Shrek Has Grown Since The First Movie

Shrek’s father being introduced in Shrek 5 and being an active part of the story would continue an important franchise trend in Shrek’s development. In Shrek, the тιтle ogre learns to open up to others and allow himself to be part of a community and a family; in Shrek 2, the ogre learns to embrace his differences as an ogre and accept himself as he is, no matter what others (mostly humans) think; Shrek the Third is about family and Shrek maturing and opening his heart to fatherhood; and Shrek Forever After teaches Shrek to be grateful for what he has.

Following this line of character development for Shrek, the fifth movie could be about confronting the past by reuniting with his father, as well as making amends. Whatever happened to the ogres in the world of Shrek surely had a strong impact on Shrek, and it’s something he will have to confront and heal at some point. As Shrek is now father to triplets, reuniting with his father and making amends with him and his past is ideal and even necessary for him to continue growing.

Could Shrek’s Father Be A Villain Or An Ally In Shrek 5?

Shrek’s Father Can Be Either… Or Both

Perhaps the most interesting part of this theory is whether Shrek’s father would be a villain, an ally, or maybe both. If following the first theory, Shrek’s father could be a villain, looking to end Shrek’s marriage and family so he will be a “real” ogre again, which could lead him to team up with other villains. If it’s the second theory, Shrek’s father would be more of an ally, guiding Shrek through fatherhood and helping him confront and heal their past together.

Another possibility is for Shrek’s father to start as a villain and gradually redeem himself to become an ally toward the end of Shrek 5. This would give Shrek’s father some development like the one his son has had and could secure him a spot in future stories. There are many possibilities for Shrek 5, and some of them can answer huge franchise mysteries.

Source: Reddit.