Despicable Me 4 is a 2024

Despicable Me 4 is a 2024 American animated comedy film produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is the sequel to Despicable Me 3, the fourth main installment, and the sixth overall in the Despicable Me franchise. The film is directed by Chris Renaud, co-directed by Patrick Delage, produced by Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman, and written by Mike White and Ken Daurio. The voice cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Steve Coogan, Sofía Vergara, Chris Renaud, Madison Polan, Dana Gaier, Chloe Fineman, and Will Ferrell.

Development for a fourth Despicable Me film started in September 2017. It was officially announced in February 2022, with Renaud, Delage, and White as director, co-director, and writer, respectively. Production began by June 2022, and most of the main voice cast was revealed in January 2024. Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams returned to compose the score and write original songs and themes.

Despicable Me 4 premiered at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 9, 2024, and is set for theatrical release in the United States on July 3, 2024.

Premise

After escaping incarceration, Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina seek revenge on Gru and his family, including his infant son, Gru Jr., forcing them into relocation for protection. In their new neighborhood, they meet the Prescotts and their daughter Poppy. Gru and his minions ally with Poppy to even the odds.

Voice Cast

- Steve Carell as Gru/Chet Cunningham, a former supervillain turned Anti-Villain League agent; the adoptive father of Margo, Edith, and Agnes, the biological father of Gru Jr., and Lucy's husband.

- Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde/Blanche Cunningham, an Anti-Villain League agent, Gru's wife, and mother to Gru Jr. and the three girls.

- Will Ferrell as Maxime Le Mal, a French-accented supervillain seeking revenge on Gru and his family.

- Joey King as Poppy Prescott, an aspiring supervillain who admires Gru.

- Sofía Vergara as Valentina, Maxime's femme fatale girlfriend.

- Stephen Colbert as Perry Prescott, Poppy's father and Gru's new neighbor.

- Chloe Fineman as Patsy Prescott, Poppy's mother and Gru's new neighbor.

- Miranda Cosgrove as Margo/Bree Cunningham, Gru and Lucy's oldest daughter.

- Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom, the previously retired director of the Anti-Villain League.

- Pierre Coffin as the Minions, Gru's yellow henchmen who later become agents at the Anti-Villain League.

- Dana Gaier as Edith/Blair Cunningham, Gru and Lucy's middle daughter.

- Madison Polan as Agnes/Britney Cunningham, Gru and Lucy's youngest daughter, replacing Nev Scharrel from the third film.

- Chris Renaud in an undisclosed role.

Production

Development began in September 2017, with early drafts written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. The film was officially announced in February 2022, with Renaud, Delage, and White attached as director, co-director, and writer, and a release date of July 3, 2024. Production started by June 2022, with Steve Carell beginning voice recording after a few sessions.

In January 2024, the main voice cast was confirmed, including returning actors Carell, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier, Coffin, and Coogan, and new additions Ferrell, King, Vergara, Colbert, Fineman, and Polan. Brett Hoffman and Ken Daurio were added as co-producer and co-writer, respectively.

Music

In March 2024, Heitor Pereira was announced to be composing the film's score, returning from previous installments, alongside Pharrell Williams, who would co-compose the score and write new songs. Williams previewed his song "Double Life" on May 8 and released it on June 14 as the first single from the soundtrack.

Marketing

The first trailer was released on January 28, 2024, during the NFL playoff championship games, featuring songs "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Maneater," and "Through the Fire and Flames." The trailer highlighted the challenges of welcoming a new family member and introduced Ferrell's character. An additional trailer was shown during Super Bowl LVIII, narrated by Jon Hamm. On April 10, a clip was shown at CinemaCon, featuring Gru and Poppy attempting to steal a honey badger.

A second trailer was released on May 7, 2024, emphasizing the Minions and featuring a new song by Pharrell Williams. Illumination also released a parody teaser announcing the "Megaverse," mocking shared universes like the MCU and DCEU, with a website featuring fictitious productions.

Release

Despicable Me 4 premiered at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 9, 2024, and at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13. It is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on July 3.

Home Media

As part of Universal's deal with Netflix, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months, then on Netflix for the next ten months, before returning to Peacock for the final four months.

Reception

Box Office Projections

Variety projects the film to gross over $100 million in its five-day opening weekend on July 4.