Illumination’s “Despicable Me” franchise has grossed a total of more than $4.4 billion worldwide, and given the brand is the biggest global animated franchise in history, you can bet everyone wants more. So, today, Illumination and Universal revealed the first trailer for “Despicable Me 4,” the first film in the franchise in seven years (not counting “Minions” spin-offs and whatnot).
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Oscar nominees Steve Carrell and Kristen Wiig return to the series to lead a new cast that includes Will Ferrell, “Bullet Train” star Joey King, Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara, Emmy winner Stephen Colbert, “Saturday Night Live” star Chloe Fineman and newcomer Madison Polan.
The returning cast includes Pierre Coffin as the voice of the iconic little Minions, Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, Chris Renaud, Miranda Cosgrove, and acclaimed franchise veteran Dana Gaier.
Directed by Oscar nominee Chris Renaud, a co-creator of the Minions, and produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman, “Despicable Me 4” hits theaters in the summer of 2024.
Following the blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which nearly grossed $1 billion worldwide, in the new ‘DM4’ film, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem.
Here’s the official synopsis
“Despicable Me” begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.
Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
The film features fresh new characters voiced by Joey King (Bullet Train), Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), and Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live). Pierre Coffin returns as the iconic voice of the Minions and Oscar® nominee Steve Coogan returns as Silas Ramsbottom.
The film is co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director of “Sing 2” and “The Secret Life of Pets 2”), and the screenplay is by the Emmy-winning creator of “White Lotus,” Mike White, and the veteran writer of every ‘Despicable Me’ film, Ken Daurio.
“Despicable Me 4” will arrive in theaters on July 3, 2024. Watch the first trailer below.