Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for “Despicable Me 4.” The fourth chapter of the film franchise brings back the anti-villain Gru and his family for more zany adventures.
At its heart, the Despicable Me films have always been a family affair, with Gru (Steve Carrell) taking on the role of father after adopting a trio of sisters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher). Though his original intention was to use them for his nefarious plans, the three softened his heart and he realized he was a better anti-villain than villain. Years later, he would eventually find love in Anti-Villain League agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig). After that, we learned more about Gru’s family tree when he teamed up with his long-lost twin brother Dru to stop a world-domination plot. Now, the family of four is back for another film, and this time, the family is happy to welcome their newest addition, Gru Jr. And Gru’s family wouldn’t be complete without those babbling yellow-pill bodied Minions (Pierre Coffin).
The trailer reveals a somewhat happy home, with Lucy, Margo, Edih, and Agnes all cheerfully welcoming him from wherever he came from. But the one person who isn’t as receptive is his newborn son, Gru Jr. The newest addition would rather show affection to his mother, leaving dear old daddy out in the cold.
As if his unaffectionate son wasn’t giving him enough problems, Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) warns him that a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his girlfriend, his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), forces Gru and his family to go on the run.
Joey King, Stephen Colbert, and “Saturday Night Live” cast member Chloe Fineman are just among the newest talents to join the cast and round out the remaining voice talents.
Packed with non-stop action and filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, “Despicable Me 4” is directed by a co-creator of the Minions, Oscar® nominee Chris Renaud (“Despicable Me,” “The Secret Life of Pets”), and is produced by Illumination’s visionary founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Brett Hoffman (executive producer, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Minions: The Rise of Gru”). The film is co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director “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 hits theaters on July 3, 2024.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Despicable Me 4:”
Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now 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.
