Back in July it was announced that Universal and DreamWorks Animation are eyeing a 2019 release date for the fifth instalment in the Shrek franchise, and now Trolls directors Walt Dohrn and Mike Mitchell have revealed to The Hollywood News that Austin Powers screenwriter Michael McCullers will be penning the script.
“They’ve got a pretty good story,” said the duo. “It’s being written by Michael McCullers who wrote all of the Austin Powers films. He came up with a really great idea that they’re exploring. There’s more story to tell there and we’re ready to help tell it for sure.”
In addition to collaborating with Mike Myers on Austin Powers, McCullers has also contributed to the scripts for Thunderbirds, Mr. Peabody & Sherman and the upcoming The Boss Baby, along with Hotel Transylvania 3.
The Shrek franchise has grossed almost $3 billion worldwide (or $3.51 billion in you include the Puss in Boots spinoff), with the fourth movie Shrek Forever After opening back in 2010.