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

John Lithgow would happily step into Lord Farquaad's boots 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 Shrek 5 movie to reprise his role as the ruthless ruler of the fairytale kingdom of Duloc.

The only problem? His character met his demise in the original Shrek movie in 2001. At the film's end, the fire-breathing dragon who guarded Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in her tower devours Lord Farquaad, finishing the job by unceremoniously belching up his crown.

"It turns out it's impossible to recover from being eaten by a dragon," Lithgow jokes to PEOPLE of his character's death.

Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow) in 2001's 'Shrek'. 

Dreamworks Llc/Kobal/Shutterstock

As for whether Farquaad could make some kind of return — perhaps in flashbacks — the six-time Emmy winner says "they haven't approached me" about the latest installment in the blockbuster animated film franchise.

"I know nothing about it and no, I'm not a part of it," he adds of Shrek 5, which is slated to be released in July 2026.

While he won't be returning to the swamp, Lithgow is set to star in a new animated movie for Netflix called Spellbound, which debuts on Nov. 22. The story follows a teenage princess named Ellian (Rachel Zegler) whose parents are turned into giant monsters by a powerful spell, according to a synopsis. Ellian "must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late."

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"I am in a fabulous animated film," Lithgow says of the project, "in the company of Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman and Nathan Lane — all sorts of wonderful voices."

The film also features Tituss Burgess and Jenifer Lewis.

"I get to sing an Alan Menken song all by myself," he adds, teasing his vocal performance as Minister Bolinar.

John Lithgow in February 2024. 

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Lithgow's latest non-animated film role, in the Edward Berger-directed Conclave, finds 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 the Catholic Cardinals who must elect a new Supreme Pontiff when the pope dies.

Lithgow tells PEOPLE he relished being part of such a talented "ensemble of actors" while filming in Rome.

“They were so superb, and all of us had the greatest scenes to play," he explains. "We took turns having our moment, and yet it all wove together so beautifully.”

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

Conclave was released in theaters nationwide on Oct. 25.