Summary:
- Illumination reveals new footage of “Despicable Me 4” at CinemaCon in Vegas, following Gru and his son on a heist.
- The new film welcomes Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, and several other new voice actors to the roster.
- “Despicable Me 4” will be released domestically on July 5.
Excitement is brewing for “Despicable Me 4,” the latest chapter in the beloved animated series that has captured hearts worldwide. This new adventure will mark the franchise’s fourth main installment, adding to the ever-expanding universe that includes two “Minions” spin-offs. The first trailer for “Despicable Me 4” was released back on January 29, 2024.
Fans can look forward to seeing the once-notorious villain Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, navigate the challenges of family life with his newborn, baby Gru Jr., amidst chaos unleashed by the new big-bad Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his accomplice Valentina (Sofia Vergara). The ensemble cast also features Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Chloe Fineman, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Coogan, promising a blend of new and familiar voices.
At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, attendees got a sneak peek of “Despicable Me 4,” showcasing a hilarious heist, with our Gru at the center stage. The footage featured Gru and the budding villain Poppy (voiced by Joey King) on a precarious mission that goes hilariously awry when Gru mistakenly grabs a baby bag instead of his heist gear.
Despite the mix-up, baby powder proves to be surprisingly useful against security lasers. The scene escalates with baby Gru Jr. tampering with a laser grid and Gru’s comedic encounter with a skunk, as the latter accidentally injects himself in the butt with a tranquilizer instead. All of this chaos unfolds in a principal’s office, culminating in a chase led by an elderly woman with enormous monster-truck wheels, most possibly the principal of the school.
“Despicable Me 4” seems set to delve deeper into Gru’s transformation from a feared (?) supervillain to a devoted family man, a theme that has been central to the franchise’s heartwarming yet hilarious appeal. Gru’s tender relationship with his three adopted daughters laid the foundation for his character’s evolution, a journey that continues with the introduction of Gru Jr, Gru’s biological son with Lucy, and his mentorship of the villainess-in-training, Poppy.
As Gru, Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig), and their daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher) welcome the mischievous Gru Jr., who isn’t very fond of his father from what we’ve seen, into their lives, audiences can anticipate a blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes villainy that has become synonymous with the franchise.
Set to premiere in domestic theaters on July 5, “Despicable Me 4” sets to follow the blockbuster success of “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which neared the $1 billion mark worldwide.
