After nearly two decades, the long-awaited Shrek 5 is finally on the horizon, set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. However, the internet isn’t just buzzing about the return of its beloved green ogre. A theory has taken the fandom by storm: Is Shrek’s daughter trans? This speculation took off almost immediately after the first teaser trailer dropped on February 28, 2025. The short clip, clocking in at under 30 seconds, introduced audiences to Shrek and Fiona’s now-teenage daughter, voiced by none other than Zendaya.
Fans quickly pointed out an apparent inconsistency—one that sparked the entire debate. In Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek and Fiona’s triplets were introduced: two boys, Fergus and Farkle, and a girl, Felicia. Notably, Felicia had blue eyes, whereas her brothers had brown eyes. But in the Shrek 5 teaser, Zendaya’s character has brown eyes. This single detail was enough to launch widespread online discussions, with fans questioning whether the character was truly Felicia or if one of the male triplets had transitioned.
Is Shrek’s Daughter Trans?
Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), exploded with reactions. A viral tweet from @SarkyFancyBear read: “Pause, not to be a Shrek nerd, but I’m sure Felicia is the only girl out of the ogre triplets and she has blue eyes. That means either Fergus or Farkle transitioned, let’s go?” The post gained hundreds of thousands of likes and was followed by countless replies either supporting or debating the theory. Another user joked, “Shrek having a trans daughter was not on my bingo card.” Others pointed out that Felicia could simply be wearing brown contacts or that the animators had overlooked the original eye color.
Some fans also looked at the film’s history for clues. The Shrek franchise has always leaned into themes of transformation and self-acceptance. Shrek himself is an outcast learning to embrace his identity. In Shrek 2 (2004), Fiona’s father, King Harold, struggles to accept Shrek, mirroring real-world parental struggles with children who don’t fit traditional expectations. The film also introduced a gender-nonconforming character: Doris, the deep-voiced stepsister who became an iconic queer-coded figure. With this in mind, fans argue that a trans storyline wouldn’t be out of place.
Of course, some offered more practical explanations. Eye color changes in children are common. Ophthalmology professor Burton Kushner explains that melanin levels in newborns are not fully developed, leading to a temporary blue hue. By nine to twelve months, melanin production stabilizes, and many blue-eyed babies end up with brown eyes. Since Shrek’s kids were infants when we last saw them, it’s possible Felicia’s eyes naturally changed over time. Others speculate that DreamWorks Animation simply forgot about the detail—after all, it has been 15 years since the last movie.
either they gave her brown contacts or that’s actually shrek’s trans daughter pic.twitter.com/9l3i2w19zI
— stormy ⛈ (@wysps) February 27, 2025
Despite these counterpoints, some fans remain steadfast. “Canon or not, I like the idea of a Shrek trans kid because literally one of the main themes from the franchise in both Shrek 1 and 2 was transformation,” one user wrote. Another added, “Shrek being a series all about identity and getting to choose who you are in spite of the circumstances of your upbringing would be the best franchise to have an explicitly trans main character.”
There’s also the matter of Zendaya’s character design fueling speculation. The teenage ogre sports a nose ring, green lipstick, and an alternative fashion sense, leading some to call her “she/they-coded.” One tweet joked, “They might as well go ahead and make her a barista at Farbucks.” This blend of visual cues and the eye color discrepancy has kept the theory alive, despite a lack of official confirmation from DreamWorks.
Interestingly, the Shrek 5 teaser itself was released earlier than planned due to a leak about Zendaya’s casting. Co-director Brad Ableson stated that the final version of the film is still in development, meaning it’s possible the character’s appearance could change by the time the movie premieres. Some hold out hope that DreamWorks will clarify the character’s backstory before release, but for now, the mystery remains.
Far, Far Away’s finest are coming. pic.twitter.com/7qn8FNIBT6
— Shrek (@Shrek) February 27, 2025
Whether Shrek’s daughter is trans or not, one thing is certain: the internet loves a good theory. While some fans see the debate as lighthearted fun, others argue that it reflects the evolving landscape of animated storytelling. If DreamWorks were to confirm the theory, it would mark a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream animated films. Until then, audiences will have to wait and see if the speculation holds any truth—or if it’s simply another example of fans reading between the lines of their favorite childhood franchise.
