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Illumination (company)

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Illumination
FormerlyIllumination Entertainment
Company typeDivision
IndustryAnimation
Motion pictures
Founded2007; 17 years ago (2007)
FounderChris Meledandri
Headquarters
Santa Monica, California
,
U.S.
Key people
Chris Meledandri (CEO)[1]
Peter Schube (COO)[2]
ProductsAnimated films
OwnerUniversal Pictures
Number of employees
100 (2016)[3]
ParentNBCUniversal Film and Entertainment
Universal Pictures
(NBCUniversal)
SubsidiariesIllumination Mac Guff
WebsiteOfficial website

Illumination (formerly known as Illumination Entertainment) is an American film and animation studio founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007 and owned by Universal Pictures,[4][5][6] a division of NBCUniversal, which is itself a division of Comcast. Meledandri produces the movies while Universal finances and distributes all the films.[5] The studio is best known for the franchises of Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets, and has also produced the film Sing. The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me films, are the studio's official mascots.

Illumination has produced 9 feature films, beginning with Despicable Me (2010) and its most recent film being The Grinch (2018), with an average gross of $695.4 million per film. The studio's highest-grossing films are Minions, which has grossed $1.159 billion worldwide, Despicable Me 3, $1.034 billion and Despicable Me 2, $970.8 million. All three are among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, and 6 of the films are among the 50 highest-grossing animated films, with Minions being the third all-time highest behind Disney's Frozen ($1.290 billion)[7][8][9] and Disney/Pixar's Incredibles 2 ($1.242 billion)[10][11][12][13].

History

Meledandri left his post as President of 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios in early 2007. While at those companies he supervised or executive-produced movies including Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Robots and Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!. After leaving, he founded Illumination Entertainment. By 2008, a deal was announced positioning Illumination Entertainment as NBCUniversal's family entertainment arm that would produce one to two films a year starting in 2010. As part of the deal, Illumination retains creative control and Universal exclusively distributes the films.[14] During the summer 2011, Illumination acquired the animation department of the French animation and visual effects studio Mac Guff, which animated Despicable Me and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, and formed Illumination Mac Guff.[15][16][17]

Meledandri prefers to keep Illumination adhering to a low-cost model, recognizing that "strict cost controls and hit animated films are not mutually exclusive". In an industry where film expenses often exceed $100 million, Illumination's first two releases were completed with significantly lower budgets, considering Despicable Me's $69 million budget and Hop's $63 million budget. One way the company sustains a lean financial model is by employing cost-conscious animation techniques that lower the expenses and render times of its computer graphics.[18]

On August 22, 2016, NBCUniversal acquired competing studio DreamWorks Animation, appointing Meledandri to oversee both studios.[19][20][21]

Projects

The studio's first film, Despicable Me, was released on July 9, 2010 and was commercially successful, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to ticket sales of $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide. Illumination's second film was the live action/CGI hybrid Hop (2011), which has a $37 million opening, and ended up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide. An adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, debuted on March 2, 2012, earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and with eventual totals of $214 million in the US market and $348 million worldwide. The studio's first sequel, Despicable Me 2, opened in the United States on July 3, 2013, earning over $970 million worldwide,[22] becoming the second highest-grossing 2013 animated film and breaking a record as the most profitable Universal Studios film in its 100-year history.[23] The spin-off to Despicable Me, titled Minions, was released on July 10, 2015,[24] and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

The Secret Life of Pets was released on July 8, 2016.[25] Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, the film would earn $104 million in its opening weekend, $368 million domestically, and $875 million worldwide. Sing, a comedy written and directed by Garth Jennings, was released on December 21, 2016.[26] It was the first movie for the studio to have a Christmas release. The film would earn $56 million in its first 5 days, grossing $270 million stateside and $634 million worldwide. It also holds the record for the highest-grossing film not to ever be at #1 in its run. Despicable Me 3 was released on June 30, 2017, and became the 2nd film to earn $1 billion for the studio, and set a record for the highest theater count ever with 4,536 theaters in its 2nd week. The second film from Illumination based on a Dr. Seuss book, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, was released on November 9, 2018, and is directed by Peter Candeland and Yarrow Cheney from an adaptation by Michael LeSieur.[26]

On May 19, 2011, Illumination announced that it would be working with Universal Studios to create Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, a 3-D ride at Universal Parks & Resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, and Osaka.[27] The ride officially opened on July 2, 2012 in Orlando, in Hollywood on April 12, 2014, and in Osaka on April 21, 2017.

Upcoming projects

Future projects include The Secret Life of Pets 2, Minions 2, and Sing 2.[28] Release dates have been set aside for four more films whose titles have not been announced: July 2, 2021, July 1, 2022, December 21, 2022 and June 30, 2023.[29] Other films in development include Despicable Me 4 and an animated film based on the Mario franchise with a co-production with Nintendo. In January 2018, then-Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima stated that, if plans go smoothly, a Mario movie could happen by 2020.[30][31][32] On January 31, 2018, Nintendo announced during a fiscal meeting that they are partnering with Illumination on a movie starring Mario, which will be co-produced by Chris Meledandri and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.[33] On November 6, 2018, Illumination announced that the Mario film could be released by 2022.[34] Also, Illumination is working with musician Pharrell Williams on an original animated film that will be "made from scratch".[34]

Filmography

Feature films

Released films

# Title Release date Distributor/Co-production with Animation service(s) Budget Gross Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 Despicable Me July 9, 2010 Universal Pictures Mac Guff $69 million $543 million 81% 72
2 Hop[S] April 1, 2011 Universal Pictures
Relativity Media		 Rhythm and Hues $63 million $184 million 25% 41
3 Dr. Seuss' The Lorax March 2, 2012 Universal Pictures Illumination Mac Guff $70 million $348 million 53% 46
4 Despicable Me 2 July 3, 2013 $76 million $970 million 74% 62
5 Minions July 10, 2015 $74 million $1.159 billion 56% 56
6 The Secret Life of Pets July 8, 2016 $75 million $875 million 73% 61
7 Sing December 21, 2016 $632 million 72% 59
8 Despicable Me 3 June 30, 2017 $80 million $1.034 billion 59% 49
9 Dr. Seuss' The Grinch November 9, 2018 $75 million $511 million 58% 51
S Combines live-action with animation.

Upcoming films

# Title Release date Distributor/Co-production with Animation service(s) Ref(s)
10 The Secret Life of Pets 2 June 7, 2019 Universal Pictures Illumination Mac Guff [35]
11 Minions 2 July 3, 2020 [36][35]
12 Sing 2 December 25, 2020 [36][35]
13 Untitled films July 2, 2021 [29]
14 July 1, 2022
15 December 21, 2022
16 Untitled animated Mario film 2022 Universal Pictures
Nintendo		 [30][34]
17 Untitled film June 30, 2023 Universal Pictures [29]

Films in development

Title Ref(s)}
Despicable Me 4 [37]
Untitled Pharrell Williams film [34]
Flanimals
Untitled Cut the Rope film [34]

Short films

# Title Release date Distribution/co-production with Animation service(s) Release with Notes
1 Home Makeover December 14, 2010 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Mac Guff Despicable Me Home video release
2 Orientation Day
3 Banana
4 Brad & Gary[38][39][40] 2011 Universal Pictures Illumination Mac Guff N/A Theatrical release
5 Phil's Dance Party March 23, 2012 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Rhythm and Hues Hop Home video release
6 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem July 2, 2012 Universal Pictures Reel FX Creative Studios N/A Theme park ride at several Universal Studios parks and resorts.
7 Wagon Ho! August 7, 2012 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Illumination Mac Guff Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Home video release
8 Forces of Nature
9 Serenade
10 Puppy December 10, 2013 Despicable Me 2
11 Panic in the Mailroom
12 Training Wheels
13 Cro Minion December 8, 2015 Minions
14 Competition
15 Binky Nelson Unpacified
16 Mower Minions July 8, 2016 Universal Pictures The Secret Life of Pets Theatrical release
17 Norman Television December 6, 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Home video release
18 Weenie
19 Gunter Babysits March 21, 2017 Sing
20 Love at First Sight
21 Eddie's Life Coach
22 The Secret Life of Kyle December 5, 2017 Despicable Me 3
23 Yellow is the New Black November 9, 2018 Universal Pictures Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Theatrical release
24 The Dog Days of Winter November 23, 2018 NBCUniversal Television Distribution Trolls Holiday Television release
25 Santa's Little Helpers February 5, 2019 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Home video release

Franchises

Title Release date
Despicable Me 2010–present
The Secret Life of Pets 2016–present
Sing

Accolades

Academy Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2013 Despicable Me 2 Best Animated Feature Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin & Chris Meledandri Nominated
Best Original Song "Happy" – Pharrell Williams

Golden Globe Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Best Animated Feature Film Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin Nominated
2013 Despicable Me 2
2016 Sing Garth Jennings
Best Original Song "Faith" – Ryan Tedder, Stevie Wonder and Francis Farewell Starlite

Annie Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Best Animated Feature Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and John Cohen Nominated
Voice Acting in a Feature Production Steve Carell
Character Design In an Animated Film Carter Goodrich
Directing in a Feature Production Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin
Music in a Feature Production Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira
Production Design in a Feature Production Yarrow Cheny and Eric Guillon
2011 Hop Character Animation in a Live Action Production Andrew Arnett
2012 The Lorax Character Design in an Animated Feature Production Eric Guillon, Yarrow Cheney and Colin Stimpson
Music in an Animated Feature Production John Powell, Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul
2013 Despicable Me 2 Best Animated Feature Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial Despicable Me 2 Won
Voice Acting in a Feature Production Steve Carell Nominated
Kristen Wiig
Pierre Coffin
Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production Jonathan Del Val
Character Design In an Animated Film Eric Guillon
Directing in a Feature Production Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin
Music in a Feature Production Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira
Production Design in a Feature Production Yarrow Cheny and Eric Guillon
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Eric Favela
2015 Minions Outstanding Achievement in Animated Effects in an Animated Production Frank Baradat, Antonin Seydoux, Milo Riccarand and Nicolas Brack
Voice Acting in a Feature Production Jon Hamm
Pierre Coffin
Outstanding Achievement in Production Design in an Animated Feature Production Eric Guillon
Character Design In an Animated Film
Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation in a Feature Production Hichem Arfaoui
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Habib Louati
2016 The Secret Life of Pets Character Design in an Animated Feature Production Eric Guillon
Music in an Animated Feature Production Alexandre Desplat
Sing Joby Talbot
2017 Despicable Me 3 Best Animated Feature Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy
Animated Effects in an Animated Production Bruno Chauffard, Frank Baradat, Nicolas Brack and Milo Riccarand
Character Design in an Animated Feature Production Eric Guillon
2018 The Grinch Music in an Animated Feature Production Danny Elfman and Tyler, The Creator
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Habib Louati
Editorial in an Animated Feature Production Chris Cartagena

BAFTA Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Best Animated Film Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin Nominated
2013 Despicable Me 2
2015 Minions Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda

Critics' Choice Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Best Animated Film Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin Nominated
2013 Despicable Me 2 Best Animated Film
Best Original Song "Happy" – Pharrell Williams
2017[41] Despicable Me 3 Best Animated Film Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda
2018 The Grinch Best Animated Film Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney

Kids' Choice Awards

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Favorite Animated Movie Won
Favorite Buttkicker Steve Carell Nominated
2012 The Lorax Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Taylor Swift Nominated
2013 Despicable Me 2 Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Steve Carell Nominated
Miranda Cosgrove Won
2015 Minions Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Sandra Bullock Nominated
2016 The Secret Life of Pets Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Kevin Hart Nominated
Favorite Villain Won
Most Wanted Pet Won
Sing Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Reese Witherspoon Nominated
Most Wanted Pet Nominated
2017 Despicable Me 3 Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
2018 The Grinch Favorite Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie Benedict Cumberbatch Nominated

Producers Guild of America Award

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2010 Despicable Me Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Picture Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and John Cohen Nominated
2013 Despicable Me 2 Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy
2015 Minions
2016 The Secret Life of Pets
2017 Despicable Me 3
2018 The Grinch

Visual Effects Society

Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2013 Despicable Me 2 Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin Nominated
2017 Despicable Me 3 Pierre Coffin, Chris Meledandri, Kyle Balda and Eric Guillon
Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Eric Guillon, Bruno Dequier, Julien Soret, Benjamin Fournet for "Bratt"
Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Axelle De Cooman, Pierre Lopes, Milo Riccarand, Nicolas Brack for "Hollywood Destruction"
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project Eric Guillon, Francois-Xavier Lepeintre, Guillaume Boudeville, Pierre Lopes for "Dru's Car"
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature Bruno Chauffard, Frank Baradat, Milo Riccarand, Nicolas Brack
2018 The Grinch Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature Pierre Leduc, Janet Healy, Bruno Chauffard, Milo Riccarand
Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature David Galante, Francois Boudaille, Olivier Luffin, Yarrow Cheney for The Grinch
Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Loic Rastout, Ludovic Ramiere, Henri Deruer, Nicolas Brack for Whoville
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature Eric Carme, Nicolas Brice, Milo Riccarand for Snow, Clouds and Smoke

See also

References

  1. ^ Gaita, Paul (December 5, 2017). "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Melds Together Cinematic Art and Cutting-Edge Technology". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  2. ^ McNary, Dave (February 23, 2017). "Illumination Taps Peter Schube as Chief Operating Officer". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  3. ^ Richford, Rhonda (December 9, 2016). "An Inside Look at Illumination's 24/7 Operation, From L.A. to Paris". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  4. ^ Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Kilday, Gregg (December 9, 2016). "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks Success Secrets, Rumors He'll Head DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "Why Illumination Entertainment Is One Of The Most Innovative Companies Of 2017". Fast Company. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  7. ^ "Disney's Frozen breaks record for highest-grossing animated film". Guinness World Records. April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  8. ^ McNally, Victoria. "'Frozen' Is About To Be Toppled As The Highest Grossing Animated Movie Ever". MTV News. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  9. ^ "'Frozen' becomes highest grossing animated film ever". Hypable. March 30, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "Move Over, 'Minions.' 'Incredibles 2' Is Now The Second-Highest Grossing Animated Pic Of All-Time". Cartoon Brew. September 2, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Mendelson, Scott. "It's Time To Kill The 'Pixar Slump' Narrative". Forbes. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  12. ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (July 11, 2018). "Incredibles 2: Is Incredibles 2 the highest grossing animated movie of all time?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  13. ^ Wochit Entertainment (July 7, 2018), Disney And Pixar's 'Incredibles 2' Continues To Break Records, retrieved March 12, 2019
  14. ^ Fleming, Michael (March 6, 2008). "Meledandri, Universal team on deals". Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  15. ^ Fleming, Mike (November 14, 2011). "Universal Pictures Buys Paris Animation Unit For Chris Meledandri's Illumination". Deadline. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  16. ^ "ILLUMINATION MAC GUFF (PARIS 15) Chiffre d'affaires, résultat, bilans sur SOCIETE.COM - 533478434". www.societe.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  17. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (December 12, 2011). "Universal benefit in Mac Guff accord". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  18. ^ Barnes, Brooks (April 3, 2011). "For Illumination Entertainment, Animation Meets Economic Reality". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  19. ^ "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  20. ^ "NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  21. ^ McNary, Dave (August 22, 2016). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion Purchase of DreamWorks Animation". Variety. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  22. ^ "Despicable Me 2 (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  23. ^ Szalai, Georg (July 31, 2013). "NBCUniversal CEO: 'Despicable Me 2' Will Be Most Profitable Film in Universal's History". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike (February 11, 2013). "Sandra Bullock To Voice Super-Villain In 'Minions' Spinoff For Illumination/Universal". Deadline. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  25. ^ Shaw, Lucas (February 12, 2013). "Universal Dates Mystery Illumination Movie for 2015". The Wrap. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  26. ^ a b "'Despicable Me 3′ Set For June 2017 Release; 'Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas' Arrives Five Months Later". Deadline. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  27. ^ Vary, Adam B. (May 19, 2011). "Universal Parks announces new 'Despicable Me' ride, and a major face-lift for 'Spider-Man'". EW.com. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  28. ^ https://variety.com/2015/film/news/illumination-movie-release-dates-universal-1201617998/
  29. ^ a b c Yee, Lawrence (February 2, 2017). "Illumination, Universal Add Four More Animated Films to Slate". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  30. ^ a b Pallotta, Frank (November 14, 2017). "'Super Mario Bros.' animated movie in the works at Illumination Entertainment". CNNMoney. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  31. ^ "'Super Mario Bros.' Movie in the Works at Illumination Entertainment". Collider. November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  32. ^ "Super Mario Movie in the Works From Despicable Me Studio". Slashfilm. November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  33. ^ Nintendo of America (January 31, 2018). "Nintendo and Illumination are partnering on a movie starring Mario, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri!". Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  34. ^ a b c d e Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "Inside Illumination's Plans for Animated 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  35. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (January 25, 2017). "'Sing 2' Set for Christmas Day 2020 Release". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  36. ^ a b McNary, Dave (October 14, 2015). "Three Untitled Illumination Movies Get Dates Through 2020". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  37. ^ Sakoui, Anousha; Palmeri, Christopher (September 12, 2017). "In Dismal Summer, 'Despicable Me 3' Producer Delivers $1 Billion". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "Brad & Gary". Seattle International Film Festival. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Brad & Gary". IMDb. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  40. ^ King, Susan (February 2, 2013). "40th Annie Award nominees and winners list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  41. ^ "Critics' Choice Awards 2018: Complete List of Movie and TV Nominations". E Newes. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.

External links

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