Universal Pictures has bought French animation house Mac Guff Ligne for Illumination Ent., reports Deadline.com. Illumination and Mac Guff Ligne produced DESPICABLE ME and DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX together. Now Mac Guff Ligne will work exclusively on Illumination projects whether they are fully animated or a live-action/animation hybrid. The Paris-based studio will be renamed Illumination Mac Guff.

Jacques Bled, one of the founders of Mac Guff, and Janet Healy, France-based producer of DESPICABLE ME, will serve as co-presidents of Illumination Mac Guffe. The duo will report to Illumination head Chris Meledandri. Robert Taylor and Barbara Zipperman will serve as top execs as well.

Mac Guff Ligne's vfx business remains separate.

Illumination's upcoming projects include the DESPICABLE ME sequel, Ricky Gervais' FLANIMALS, UGLYDOLL and Tim Burton's stop-motion ADDAMS FAMILY.