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'Despicable Me 2' Prepares for Global Domination

Ahead of its North American debut, Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2 climbs its way up the international box office chart.

Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2 – which returns the character Gru and his army of minions to the big screen – is already climbing its way up the international box office chart.

The 3D animated feature, which opened in Australia last weekend and expanded into six additional markets this past weekend, came in at number four, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, bringing in $41.5 million for  an early foreign total of $50 million.

Despicable 2, , which opens in North America on Tuesday, had a first-place debut the U.K., France, French Switzerland, Netherlands and Belgium, and was second only to Man of Steel in Sweden and Australia.The film is pacing ahead of Despicable MeKung Fu Panda 2The Croods, Shrek Forever After and the last two Madagascar features in the same seven territories.

In the U.K., the ‘toon had $15.2 million debut, Universal's top opening of all time and the number one opening of 2013 so far. Including previews, Despicable  has earned a total of $23.3 million in the U.K. and Ireland. France follows with $8 million.

Steve Carell returns to voice the character Gru in the follow-up, while newcomer Kristen Wiig voices the role of agent Lucy Wilde. This time out, Gru, now a doting father, must join forces with Wiig's character to save the minions.

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.

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