Trailer for 'Despicable Me 4': Steve Carrell's Gru Embraces a New Family Member; Will Ferrell and Sofia Vergara Lend Voices to New Villain Characters.

 

Universal and Illumination have unveiled the first trailer for "Despicable Me 4," marking the return of Gru and the Minions. Set to hit theaters on July 3, 2024, the film continues the beloved animated franchise, following the reformed supervillain Gru, voiced by Steve Carrell, as he navigates doing good and discovering the importance of family. Returning for the fourth installment are Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Chris Renaud, Dana Gaier, and Pierre Coffin. Additionally, "Despicable Me 4" introduces new characters voiced by Will Ferrell, Joey King, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, and Madison Polan. Will Ferrell voices Gru's new nemesis, Maxime Le Mal, while Sofia Vergara takes on the role of Maxime's femme fatale girlfriend, Valentina.

In the initial movie, Gru became the father of three daughters, and in the sequel, he found love with Lucy Wilde (voiced by Wiig). "Despicable Me 3" surprised audiences with the introduction of Gru's long-lost twin brother, Dru (voiced by Steve Carell), and in the fourth installment, Gru and Lucy welcomed their son, Gru Jr. The 2017 release of "Despicable Me 3" achieved significant box office success, surpassing the $1 billion milestone worldwide and overtaking the "Shrek" series as the highest-grossing animated film franchise. The Minions, who speak Minionese, have also played a significant role in the franchise's success as its most iconic and memorable characters.

Peter Debruge's review of "Despicable Me 3" for Variety suggests that while the cartoons may seem like parodies of the James Bond franchise, they actually convey heartwarming messages of traditional family values beneath their sleek and comedic exterior. Co-founder Chris Meledandri and directors Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, along with writer Mike White, are involved in this production.