John Lithgow, Shrek’s Lord Farquaad, Would ‘Say Yes in a Minute’ If Asked to Join Upcoming 5th Movie (Exclusive)

John Lithgow would love to step into Lord Farquaad’s shoes again.

In the new issue of PEOPLE , the 79-year-old actor says he would “say yes in a minute” to joining the voice cast for the upcoming film Shrek 5 film to reprise his role as the ruthless ruler of the fairytale kingdom of Duloc.

The only problem? His character met his death in the original Shrek 2001 film At the end of the film, the fire-breathing dragon guarding Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in her tower devours Lord Farquaad, finishing the job by unceremoniously belching out his crown.

“It turns out it’s impossible to recover from being eaten by a dragon,” Lithgow jokes to PEOPLE about his character’s death.

Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow) in the 2001 film ‘Shrek’.

Dreamworks doo/Kobal/Shutterstock

Shrek and Donkey return to the swamp! Everything we know about Shrek 5 Until now

As for whether Farquaad might return in some way — perhaps in flashbacks — the six-time Emmy winner says “I haven’t been approached” about the final installment of the blockbuster animated franchise.

“I don’t know anything about it and no, I’m not part of it,” he adds Shrek 5which should be published in July 2026.

Although he won’t be returning to the swamp, Lithgow is set to star in a new animated film for Netflix titled Enchantedwhich debuts on November 22. The story follows a teenage princess named Ellian (Rachel Zegler) whose parents have been turned into giant monsters by a powerful spell, according to the synopsis. Ellian “must travel into the wilderness to reverse the curse before it’s too late.”

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“I’m in a fantastic animated movie,” Lithgow says of the project, “with Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman and Nathan Lane — all kinds of wonderful voices.”

The film also stars Tituss Burgess and Jenifer Lewis.

“I can sing an Alan Menken song by myself,” he adds, teasing his vocal performance as Minister Bolinaro.

John Lithgow in February 2024.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

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Lithgow’s last role in a non-animated film, directed by Edward Berger Conclavefinds the two-time Oscar nominee delving into the secretive world of the Vatican. The drama, which also stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rosselini, centers on Catholic cardinals who must choose a new supreme pontiff after the pope dies.

Lithgow tells PEOPLE he enjoyed being part of such a talented “ensemble cast” while filming in Rome.

“They were so great and we all had the best scenes to play,” he explains. “We took turns for our moment, and yet everything came together so beautifully.”

“It’s great, great storytelling, so it’s great to be a part of it,” he adds.

Conclave was released in theaters nationwide on October 25.

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Source: HIS Education