‘Puss in Boots 3’ May Already Be in Early Development Ahead of ‘Shrek 5’
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Post By
DJ Longers
- August 12, 2026
‘Pick Up Your Sword Again’: DreamWorks Hints ‘Puss in Boots 3’ May Already Be in Early Development Ahead of ‘Shrek 5’
LOS ANGELES — Following the runaway critical acclaim and box office triumph of 2022's Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, DreamWorks Animation is reportedly quietly readying another feline adventure, with whispers suggesting that Puss in Boots 3 could already be stirring in early pre-production well ahead of the release of Shrek 5.
Industry insiders indicate that studio executives have been actively evaluating narrative pathways for the swashbuckling feline hero, capitalising on the revitalised cultural momentum generated by his last solo outing.
The move signals an immense vote of confidence in the character’s independent viability, even as Universal Pictures and DreamWorks ramp up production on the flagship Shrek timeline.
Riding High After ‘The Last Wish’
Directed by Joel Crawford, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proved to be a cinematic watershed for DreamWorks.
Surpassing modest initial expectations, the visually striking fairy-tale epic grossed nearly $500 million (£390 million) worldwide while earning widespread acclaim for its mature themes, daring artistic direction, and terrifying antagonist in the form of Death (The Wolf).
Speaking on the prospect of extending the feline's solo franchise further, creative leads have repeatedly expressed enthusiasm for returning to the character's rich world.
"When you make a film that resonates as deeply as 'The Last Wish' did with audiences, it opens up endless storytelling possibilities," a studio insider familiar with DreamWorks' long-term slate noted. "Puss has plenty of lives left to explore."
The Road Ahead to Far Far Away
Before any third solo outing hits cinemas, the swashbuckling cat is first slated to cross paths once again with his old friends in Shrek 5, which is currently scheduled to land on the big screen in late 2026.
The long-awaited fifth installment of the core franchise will feature the historic return of original voice icons Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Fiona), and Eddie Murphy (Donkey), alongside Antonio Banderas reprising his signature role as Puss in Boots.
However, studio sources suggest that story threads planted in Shrek 5 may deliberately set the stage for Puss, Kitty Softpaws, and Perro to embark on an entirely new standalone quest.
Production Roadmap — DreamWorks' 'Shrek' & 'Puss in Boots' Universe
| Project Title | Expected Release / Status | Core Creative Focus |
| Shrek 5 | Late 2026 (In production) | The reunion of Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey |
| Puss in Boots 3 | Early development / Whispered prep | Expanding the swashbuckling hero's solo franchise |
| Puss in Boots: The Last Wish | Released December 2022 | Critical masterpiece & box office breakout ($484m gross) |
A Golden Era for DreamWorks Animation
With Shrek 5 anchoring the studio’s immediate box office strategy and a potential Puss in Boots 3 brewing in the background, DreamWorks is firmly leaning into its most valuable intellectual properties.
While official casting and director confirmations for a third solo film remain under wraps, the mere prospect of more adventures with cinema's favourite feline outlaw will undoubtedly delight fans around the globe.
