Minions: The Rise of Gru is a 2022 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is the sequel to the spin-off prequel Minions (2015) and the fifth entry overall in the Despicable Me franchise. Directed by Kyle Balda, with Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val as co-directors, produced by Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and Chris Renaud, and written by Matthew Fogel with a story by Brian Lynch and Fogel. The film features Steve Carell reprising his role as Gru and Pierre Coffin as the Minions, with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin also starring. In the film, an 11-year-old Gru plans to become a supervillain with the help of his Minions, which leads to a showdown with a malevolent team, the Vicious 6.
After being delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minions: The Rise of Gru had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2022, and was released in the United States on July 1, 2022, by Universal Pictures, in standard and select IMAX theaters. It received praise from critics for its musical numbers and entertainment value for families, although criticism was directed toward the plot. Minions: The Rise of Gru has grossed $759 million worldwide, making it the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2022, as well as the highest-grossing animated film released during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was dedicated in memory of animator Madeline Montero, who died during production of the film.
Cast[]
- Steve Carell as Gru, a rising supervillain and the boss of the Minions.
- Pierre Coffin as Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto and the rest of the Minions, Gru's yellow troublesome newly-hired henchmen
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, the cybernetic robotic hero from another universe who saved Kevin, Stuart & Bob and John Connor's robot guardian
- Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles, the former leader of the Vicious 6 who later becomes Gru's mentor
- Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, a master thief and the newly-appointed leader of the Vicious 6
- Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist and Kung Fu fighter who helps the Minions on their quest
- Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru, Gru's mother
- Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, a scientist who runs a record store
- Edward Furlong as John Connor, leader of the resistance
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed, a member of the Vicious 6 with a giant mechanical lobster claw for his right arm
- Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, a member of the Vicious 6 who is a roller skater
- Danny Trejo as Stronghold, a member of the Vicious 6 with big metal hands
- Lucy Lawless as Nun-Chuck, a member of the Vicious 6 who is a nun and wields nunchaku
- Robert Patrick as T-1000, an advanced, shape-shifting, prototype Terminator that is composed of liquid metal
- Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins, the business man of the Bank of Evil
- Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom, the AVL director
Cameos[]
- Amy Sederas as Tina Templeton