Minions: The Rise of Gru
Minions: The Rise of Gru | |
---|---|
Directed by | Kyle Balda |
Written by |
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Produced by | |
Starring | |
Edited by | Claire Dodgson |
Music by | Heitor Pereira |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | Cancelled |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Minions: The Rise of Gru (also known as Minions 2) is a cancelled American computer-animated comedy film produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. It would have been the sequel to the spin-off prequel Minions (2015) and the fifth installment overall in the Despicable Me franchise. Directed by Kyle Balda, with Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val as co-directors, the film stars the voices of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and Steve Carell as Gru, along with Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin.
Originally set to be theatrically released in the United States on July 1, 2022 by Universal Pictures, Minions: The Rise of Gru had to be permanently cancelled in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Premise
Set just after the 2015 film, this time in the heart of the 1970s, a 12-year old Gru is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain group known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. When the Vicious 6 fire their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru interviews to become their newest member.
It does not go well, and things only get worse after Gru steals a precious object from them with the help of Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and the other Minions and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru and the Minions will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
Voice cast
- Pierre Coffin as Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and the rest of the Minions[2]
- Steve Carell as Gru[2]
- Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, the leader of The Vicious 6.[3]
- Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow[4]
- RZA as TBA[5]
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, the giant lobster clawed member of The Vicious 6.[3]
- Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, the nun member of The Vicious 6.[3]
- Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, a member of The Vicious 6.[3]
- Danny Trejo as Stronghold, a member of The Vicious 6.[3]
- Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an absent-minded scientist who eventually becomes Gru's assistant in the future.[4]
- Julie Andrews as Marlena, Gru's mother[4]
- Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles, the former leader of The Vicious 6.[3]
Production
Development
In January 2017, Universal Pictures and Illumination announced the sequel to their animated film, Minions.[6] The film began production in July 2017, with Brad Ableson added as co-director.[7] In May 2019, the film's title was revealed as Minions: The Rise of Gru.[8]
Casting
In December 2019, it was announced that Pierre Coffin and Steve Carell are reprising their roles as the Minions and Gru, respectively.[2]
Animation
Production of the film shifted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, following the temporary closure of Illumination Mac Guff.[9]
Release
Marketing
Mattel announced that it had entered a three-year deal to create merchandise based on the film.[10] Lego released two sets for the film in 2020, while at least three others were postponed along with the film.[11]
Theatrical
Minions: The Rise of Gru was originally scheduled to be released in the United States on July 3, 2020,[8] but in April that year the release was postponed by a year to July 2, 2021,[12] due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the film remained unfinished caused by Illumination Mac Guff's temporary closure in response to the pandemic.[13] In March 2021, the date was postponed by a further year to July 1, 2022.[14] However, on May 25, 2021, Minions: The Rise of Gru was officially cancelled by Immumination and was removed from its officially scheduled theatrical release date.
References
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (February 2, 2020). "'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Brings Mischief to the Super Bowl". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c Gemmill, Allie (December 4, 2019). "'Minions 2: The Rise of Gru' Artwork at CCXP 2019 Has Minions as Far as the Eye Can See". Collider. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Schaefer, Sandy (February 5, 2020). "Minions: The Rise of Gru Trailer Introduces New Despicable Me Supervillains". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Minions: The Rise of Gru". Universal Pictures. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ Cooper, Leonie (October 14, 2020). "Five things we learned from our 'In Conversation' video chat with RZA". New Musical Express. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ Busch, Anita (January 25, 2017). "Universal Dates 'Minions 2' & 'Sing 2,' Moves 'Secret Life of Pets 2' Back a Year". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ Ableson, Brad [@BradAbleson] (July 19, 2017). "Excited to share some news: I'm co-directing Minions 2! Proud 2 be working with @IllumEnt director Kyle Balda & writer @BrianLynch #minions2" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (May 21, 2019). "'Minions' Sequel Gets A Gru-vy Title; Pic Bows In 2020". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 8, 2020). "How Animated Pics Like 'Tom & Jerry', 'SpongeBob Movie', 'Sing 2', Skydance's 'Luck' & More Are Working Through The COVID-19 Crisis". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ Assis, Claudia (February 14, 2019). "Mattel to launch 'Despicable Me' inspired toys ahead of 2020 'Minions' sequel". MarketWatch. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Beck, Kellen (February 21, 2020). "Minions are invading the world of Lego". Mashable. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (April 1, 2020). "'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (March 19, 2020). "Universal Delays 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Early July Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (March 4, 2021). "'F9' Postponed for the Third Time, 'Minions' Sequel Pushed to 2022". Variety. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
External links
- 2020s children's animated films
- 2020s American animated films
- 2022 comedy films
- 2022 computer-animated films
- 2022 films
- American children's animated adventure films
- American children's animated comedy films
- Animated comedy films
- American computer-animated films
- American films
- Animated films about revenge
- Despicable Me
- English-language films
- Films cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films produced by Chris Meledandri
- Films produced by Janet Healy
- Films scored by Heitor Pereira
- Films set in the 1970s
- Film spin-offs
- Illumination (company) animated films
- Interquel films
- Universal Pictures animated films
- Universal Pictures films
- Cancelled films
- Cancelled projects and events in the United States