Shrek theme park to turn London's South Bank into swamp

New attraction promises 'live interactive adventure' with Shrek characters

A waxwork model of Shrek at Madame Tussaud's in London, also run by Merlin Entertainments who are behind the Shrek theme park deal (Getty Images)

Fans of everybody’s favourite green ogre will be excited to hear that Shrek's swamp is coming to London.

A 20,000 square metre park is set to transport visitors through a 'live interactive adventure' featuring Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and other favourites from the beloved franchise.

Shrek’s 'Far Far Away Adventure' is due to open at the South Bank’s County Hall next summer after Merlin Entertainments, which owns the London Eye, Legoland and Madame Tussaud’s, sealed a deal with Disney’s rival animation firm DreamWorks.

The attraction is due to open shortly before the first hit film’s 15 year anniversary.

Six other "immersive entertainment experiences" are planned to open worldwide within the next nine years, with the long-term aim to secure up to 30.

“The experience will be based on a brand new adventure being written by the DreamWorks team. It will feature a Shrek interactive walk-through adventure, a character courtyard where visitors will be able to meet Shrek and his swamp friends, along with characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon,” a statement from Merlin Entertainment reads.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation said he was excited to build something that will allow people to experience the world of all things Shrek.

“This attraction is going to be unlike anything that current exists and will undoubtedly become a new type of destination for families.”

Merlin Entertainments will pay royalties to DreamWorks based on an agreed ‘mid-single digit’ percentage of its turnover.

The move will be the first time that Merlin has worked with a Hollywood studio to create an attraction centred on a globally-known entertainment franchise.

Shrek, which has generated more than $3.5 billion in worldwide box office revenue, won the first ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2002.

The news comes after Katzenberg hinted at a fifth Shrek movie, four years after Shrek Forever After was released.

“I think you can be confident that we’ll have another chapter in the Shrek series. We’re not finished, and more importantly, neither is he,” he told Fox Business Network.