It’s been two years since “Minions: The Rise of Gru” took the summer box office by storm in 2022, but families won’t have to wait much longer for another adventure with everyone’s favorite pill-shaped heroes. “Despicable Me 4” is set to hit theaters this July, and the new trailer suggests that it’ll be another star-studded adventure featuring Gru and his Minion friends.
“Despicable Me 4” picks up after the events of “Despicable Me 3” (the “Minions” films are prequels, while the flagship movies take place in the present day), following Steve Carrell’s Gru and Kristen Wiig’s Lucy as their family grows with the arrival of Gru Jr. In addition to the familiar faces, the film sees Gru and his Minions face off against two new evil nemeses: Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale partner Valentina (Sofia Vergara).
Universal’s Illumination Entertainment division has established itself as one of Hollywood’s most profitable animation companies with hits like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Migration,” but the “Despicable Me” franchise remains the crown jewel in its portfolio. But while Minion-filled movies continue to dominate the box office, recent entries have not always impressed critics.
“It’s clear from the opening minutes of “Despicable Me 3” that the popular Illumination Entertainment franchise has lost the thread on what makes the series so appealing to its target audience (you know, kids),” IndieWire’s Kate Erbland wrote in her “Despicable Me 3” review. “If ‘Despicable Me’ wants to avoid the pitfalls (and pratfalls) of its latest bad guy’s own misbegotten entertainment career, the series is going to have to dig much deeper than bad jokes about Michael Jackson’s discography and an off-key subplot involving teen marriages dictated by actual cheese. Even the Minions deserve better than this.”
A Universal release, “Despicable Me 4” opens in theaters on Friday, July 3. Watch the trailer below.
