From the minds behind the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise comes the origin story of the master of evil; starring Steve Carell as the notorious Gru, the CG animated comedy comes to theaters July 1.
Illumination has shared the official trailer and poster for Minions: The Rise of Gru, coming to theaters this summer, July 1. Hailing from Illumination’s hugely popular Despicable Me franchise comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew, and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled.
Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell) was just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto - a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please - this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.
When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader - legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar winner Alan Arkin) - Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him; he soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
Giving voice to the franchise’s signature subversive humor, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a new cast; the Vicious 6 include Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold.
The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.
Helmed by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a 70s soundtrack courtesy of Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.
Source: NBCUniversal
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
