News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh/ 6th June 2024
The highly anticipated Despicable Me 4, an American animated comedy, is set to charm audiences once again. Produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures, this film continues the beloved franchise, following the events of Despicable Me 3 (2017). Directed by Chris Renaud, with co-direction by Patrick Delage, and a screenplay by Mike White and Ken Daurio, the movie promises a delightful blend of humor and adventure. The production team includes Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman as producers. The voice cast boasts talents such as Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Steve Coogan, Sofía Vergara, Chris Renaud, Madison Polan, Dana Gaier, Chloe Fineman, and Will Ferrell.
Development for the fourth installment kicked off in September 2017, with an official announcement arriving in February 2022. By June 2022, production was in full swing. The main voice cast, featuring Carell, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier, Coffin, and Coogan, was confirmed in January 2024. Additionally, new voices joining the ensemble include Ferrell, King, Vergara, Colbert, Fineman, and Polan, who replaces Nev Scharrel as Agnes. The music will see contributions from returning composers Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams.
Despicable Me 4 is slated for a theatrical release in the United States on July 3, 2024. The storyline centers around Gru (voiced by Carell), the reformed supervillain now working as an Anti-Villain League agent. Alongside his wife Lucy (Wiig) and their three adopted daughters Margo (Cosgrove), Edith (Gaier), and Agnes (Polan), they embark on a new adventure. The latest addition to the family, Gru Jr., brings a fresh dynamic as he persistently teases his father. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they become targets of Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell) and his girlfriend Valentina (Vergara), forcing them to go on the run.
The journey of Despicable Me 4’s development is intriguing. Longtime franchise writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio initially drafted the script. The official confirmation in February 2022 came with the attachment of Renaud, Delage, and White as key creative figures. The release date of July 3, 2024, was also announced at that time. By mid-2022, production activities were well underway, with Carell recording his lines early on.
The confirmation of the voice cast in January 2024 created a buzz among fans. Carell, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier, Coffin, and Coogan were set to reprise their beloved roles. The addition of Ferrell, King, Vergara, Colbert, Fineman, and Polan introduced new characters and voices, enriching the film’s narrative landscape. Hoffman, known for his work on The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), and Daurio, were brought on as co-producer and co-writer, respectively.
Despicable Me 4 promises to deliver the humor, heart, and excitement that fans of the franchise have come to love. As Gru and his family navigate new challenges and adventures, audiences can look forward to another unforgettable chapter in the Minions saga. The film’s release on July 3, 2024, marks a significant date for animation enthusiasts and fans of the series, eager to see what new antics and heartfelt moments await in this latest installment.
