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Everything We Know About Despicable Me 4 and the Return of Gru
Gru, the iconic supervillain turned Anti-Villain League Agent, tackles the suburbs in Despicable Me 4.
Fans have been waiting for the fourth Despicable Me sequel for seven years. At last, we get to see ex-supervillain Gru (Steve Carell) settling into suburban life as a husband and dad. He deserves to relax after leaping onto rockets, flying to the moon, recovering a stolen diamond, and, worst of all, getting fired from the Anti-Villain League! But things never stay quiet for long with those mischievous Minions around and nemesis Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) lurking in the background.
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That much is certain after seeing the trailer of Illumination’s Despicable Me 4, directed by Minions co-creator Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets) and Patrick Delage (animation director of Sing 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2). With the highly anticipated movie on its way to theaters and a lot of story that came before it, some may be wondering what they need to know about Despicable Me 4.
What is the plot of Despicable Me 4?
In Despicable Me 4, we learn that being a reformed villain in the suburbs is no picnic. Felonious Gru and his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), have welcomed a baby boy into the family fold, Gru Jr., a mini-me who is intent on tormenting his doting dad. They live with their three adopted daughters — Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Polan) — and their trusted army of Minions. All seems hunky dory until Gru’s latest nemesis, Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell), escapes from prison seeking revenge. The family must go on the run, and Anti-Villain League boss Silas Ramsbottom (voiced by Oscar nominee Steve Coogan) comes out of retirement to help them.
The Despicable Me 4 trailer gives us a glimpse of what’s in store
Much of the intel we have so far is from the Despicable Me 4 trailer, where we see Minions on pool floats hitting each other with noodles and Gru dutifully handling the grocery shopping. But before Gru can bust out his famous guacamole and tortilla chip sombrero, bad guy Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend, Valentina (Sofia Vergara of America’s Got Talent), end up bursting the suburban bubble.
The family is whisked away to a safe house and gets involved in their own shenanigans. We couldn’t help but notice Lucy and Gru Jr. suited up in masks, helping Dad on a heist. Once an ambitious criminal mastermind, it’s nice to know Gru is still a softie at heart — getting outwitted by a crazed honey badger in one scene. His precocious, giggling son Gru Jr. seems like a force to be reckoned with — but we’ll have to wait for the summer to find out.
Despicable Me 4 release date
The Despicable Me sequel will hit the big screen on July 3, 2024, which is perfect timing for the long Independence Day weekend. Keep an eye (and ear) out for new characters voiced by Joey King (Bullet Train), Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), and the hilarious Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live). We’re happy to report that Pierre Coffin will again speak gibberish as the iconic voice of the Minions.
With writers Mike White (White Lotus, Migration) and Ken Daurio (every Despicable Me film) behind the screenplay, it promises to bring non-stop action, charmingly subversive humor, and lots of belly laughs.
Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, and Minions: The Rise of Gru are currently streaming on Peacock.
