"Shrek 3" is not even in pre-production yet, but DreamWorks is already planning "Shrek 4," Daily Variety said Monday.

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The paper said the studio has hired Tim Sullivan to write the screenplay for a fourth movie in the series -- which has so far grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office for "Shrek" and "Shrek 2."

DreamWorks previously hired David H. Steinberg to write the screenplay for "Puss in Boots" -- a spin-off from "Shrek 2" featuring the feline character voiced by Antonio Banderas. Plans call for a May 2007 release of "Shrek 3," with Banderas returning -- along with "Shrek" regulars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz.

Sullivan quit practicing law to turn to standup comedy and has previously written movie adaptations of such books as "A Handful of Dust" and "Where Angels Fear to Tread." He also wrote and directed the 1995 British film "Jack and Sarah."

Sullivan has also written screenplays for "The Pretenders" and "Walking Papers" and will direct "Personal Shopping" from his own screenplay for Paramount Pictures.