‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Trailer: A Despicable Kid Thinks He Can Be A Super Villain This July

OK, let’s get this straight if you’re confused, and boy, I was. The “Minions” series is a spin-off prequel from the “Despicable Me” franchise, the computer-animated comedy film series produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” is essentially “Minions” two, and it’s a sequel prequel spin-off about Steve Carell’s villain character in the ‘Despicable Me” franchise, but centering on the character when he was just a boy and hopeful, budding bad guy. Got it?

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“Minions: The Rise of Gru” stars a thrilling new cast, including the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him. 

The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar-winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar- nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.

It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.

When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, ousts their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (“Despicable Me 3,” “Minions”), co-directed by Brad Ableson (“The Simpsons”) and Jonathan del Val (“The Secret Life of Pets” films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” will premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2022, and will be theatrically released in the United States on July 1 by Universal Pictures. Watch the new trailer below.