When Does Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Take Place? And Is Shrek Still Alive?

There are few things as charming or as disarming as the character of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Originally appearing in the "Shrek" franchise, Puss in Boots soon earned his own spin-off movie and the subsequent sequel, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." His first solo outing sans ogre sees him, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) attempt to retrieve the Golden Goose. As they journey together, Puss' history and backstory are revealed. However, whereas "Puss in Boots" focused on some of the character's family dynamics and upbringing, it seems as if "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" focuses instead on his future.

The world of the "Shrek" franchise brings many fairy tale characters to life, although with a fair amount of creative liberty. Puss in Boots is known as a legendary sword fighter and rogue, but this adventuring lifestyle catches up to him in "The Last Wish," mainly because he has used up eight of his nine cat lives. This means that his supernatural luck and endurance have run out, though he is told of a magical place known as the Dark Forest that will restore these lives, which is the film's primary focus. Since this movie is part of the "Shrek" franchise, some may find themselves wondering where "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" occurs chronologically, and where everybody's favorite surly swamp dweller is.

Considering that ultimately "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" is about mortality and getting older, fans may have found themselves wondering if Shrek (Mike Myers) is still alive during the events of the aforementioned movie. It turns out that he very much is. Speaking with Polygon, director Joel Crawford explained that Shrek is alive and joked that they did not kill off the beloved character. Crawford then added that they figure that "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" takes place about 10 years after "Shrek Forever." So, if anything, Shrek's life probably looks very different than when audiences last saw him.

This passage of time grounds "The Last Wish" in the "Shrek" franchise, which helps craft a believable fantasy world. Crawford then said, "There's a lot of nostalgia for Shrek, for Puss in Boots. And audiences have grown up. We wanted the movie to grow up with them. You feel like you know that character, but there's a history that happened when you're meeting this character again. All of the characters feel like they've continued living. The world of Shrek has continued." This makes sense, since the ending of "The Last Wish" may tease a future reunion between Shrek and Puss in Boots, though what kind of adventure or quest they may go on is rife for fantastical speculation.