Minions: The Rise of Gru Release Date, Trailer, Story, and More
The world of Despicable Me and the Minions is returning to theaters in Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Excellent news for aunts who love Facebook memes!
Universal Pictures is set to unveil a sequel to the animated hit, Minions. Originally known as Minions 2, the sequel has now officially been dubbed Minions: the Rise of Gru. Minions, the little bean-like yellow critters first seen in 2010’s Despicable Me, have popped up in every subsequent sequel. This includes Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 3, and their first solo go-round in 2015.
As the title suggests, Minions: The Rise of Gru will be the “origin story” of original Despicable Me baddie/protagonist Gru (originally played by Steve Carell) and follow the Minions first encounter with young Felonious Gru.
Kyle Balda and Brad Ableson will direct and Illuminination and Universal Pictures will produce and distribute the film. Also of note is that Mattel cut a deal with Universal Pictures to develop Legos based on new Minions from the movie. So uh…look forward to that!
Minions: The Rise of Gru Trailer
Minions: The Rise of Gru has released its full trailer, showcasing the Minions’ early days, during the 1970s, with a bold budding burglar in Steve Carell’s Gru.
The prequel-sequel debuted its first teaser trailer during Super Bowl LIV on February 2. It’s only a short look but there’s a surprising amount of action going down.
Minions: The Rise of Gru Release Date
Minions: The Rise of Gru will premiere this summer. Universal hasn’t provided a more precise release date yet but stay tuned. Here is the first poster for the movie as well.
Minions: The Rise of Gru Story
As the official synopsis for Minions: The Rise of Gru reads:
In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions.
When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
According to Universal Picture’s early synopsis, Minions: The Rise of Gru will tell “the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.” That’s undoubtedly referring to the Gru of the film’s title, who we know thanks to Despicable Me comes pretty close to being that supervillain. That’s right: Despicable Me is getting its own Star Wars prequel trilogy!
Minions: The Rise of Gru‘s antagonist criminal group Vicious 6 are voiced by Taraji P. Henson as “cool and confident leader Belle Bottom,” Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. They are joined by a supporting cast consisting of Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, “an aspiring mad scientist,” Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, “an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills,” and Julie Andrews as “Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.”
Alec Bojalad is TV Editor at Den of Geek and TCA member. Read more of his stuff here. Follow him at his creatively-named Twitter handle @alecbojalad
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TV Editor at Den of Geek and Television Critics Association member. Based in Cleveland, Ohio. Very upset about various sporting events.