John Lithgow on Returning as Lord Farquaad in Shrek 5: “I’d Say Yes in a Minute”

With Shrek 5 officially in development, fans are buzzing about which beloved characters might return. John Lithgow, who famously voiced the villainous Lord Farquaad in the original 2001 Shrek film, recently weighed in on whether he could make a comeback—even though his character was dramatically eaten by a dragon.

In an interview with People, Lithgow expressed his enthusiasm about the possibility of reprising his role. “I’d say yes in a minute,” the 79-year-old actor admitted, showing that he’s more than ready to return to the Shrek universe if given the chance.

However, Lithgow tempered expectations with a bit of humor. “It turns out it’s impossible to recover from being eaten by a dragon,” he joked, acknowledging the significant obstacle in bringing Farquaad back from the dead.

Lithgow also confirmed that he hasn’t been approached about joining the cast for the fifth installment. “I know nothing about it, and no, I’m not a part of it,” he said, reiterating that no offer has been made—at least, not yet.

With multiple original stars, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, set to reprise their roles, fans can’t help but wonder if Shrek 5 will somehow find a way to bring Lord Farquaad back—perhaps in a dream sequence or flashback. Lithgow’s enthusiasm certainly leaves the door open for creative possibilities.

Do you think Lord Farquaad should return for Shrek 5? How could the villain make his comeback? Let us know your ideas in the comments!