This summer, one of the highest-grossing animated film franchises in history and the global yellow phenomenon is set to unleash the untold story of a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming the world's greatest supervillain. Get ready for the all-new animated comedy action film, "Minions: The Rise of Gru."
Set in the 1970s, amidst the lingering hippie era of bell bottoms and long hair, a young Gru (voiced by Oscar nominee Steve Carell) is just a suburban kid. As a massive fan of the supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, he devises a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he has a loyal following of Minions to help him wreak havoc. Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion with braces who is desperate to please his master—efficiently (and hilariously) deploy their various outlandish skills. Together with Gru, they build their first evil lair, test their first weapons, and successfully complete their first villainous mission.
When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (voiced by Oscar winner Alan Arkin), Gru decides to interview for the vacant spot, hoping to become their newest member. However, the interview goes disastrously wrong. Things only get worse when Gru outsmarts them with his cunning young mind, suddenly finding himself the sworn enemy of the world's most diabolical supergroup. Forced to go on the run, Gru seeks guidance from an unlikely mentor: Wild Knuckles himself, who was cast out of the Vicious 6. Through their journey, Gru learns that even supervillains need a little help from their friends.
The film is packed with Illumination's signature subversive humor, pop culture gags, heartwarming moments, a killer soundtrack, and over-the-top action sequences. "Minions: The Rise of Gru" features a star-studded voice cast making their franchise debut, including Taraji P. Henson as the cool and confident new leader of the Vicious 6, Belle Bottom; Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck; Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. Also joining are Russell Brand as the aspiring mad scientist Dr. Nefario; Michelle Yeoh as the highly skilled acupuncturist Master Chow; and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru's self-absorbed mother.
"Minions: The Rise of Gru" is helmed by the original creative team behind the franchise. Producers include Illumination's visionary founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, his long-time collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. Director Kyle Balda ("Despicable Me 3," "Minions") returns to direct, joined by co-directors Brad Ableson (the long-running comedy series "The Simpsons") and Jonathan del Val (the "The Secret Life of Pets" films). Additionally, "Despicable Me" series director Pierre Coffin reprises his role voicing the Minions, while the film's soundtrack is filled with awesome 1970s classic hits, curated by Grammy-winning legendary music producer Jack Antonoff.