Universal Pictures and Illumination have shared the first official trailer for their upcoming animated comedy Minions: The Rise of Gru, offering a hilarious first look at the sequel to the 2015 blockbuster, which grossed over $1.159 billion at the global box office.
The film picks up a short while after the events of the first film, with the titular Minions haven taken up residence with 12-year-old future supervillain Gru (Steve Carell), who idolizes the supervillain group the VIcious 6. However, when his plan to join their ranks takes a turn for the worst and he gets kidnapped, it's up to the Minions to save the day.
In addition to the returning Carell and Pierre Coffin as the voice of the Minions, the supporting cast features Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, Danny Trejo as Stronghold, Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Julie Andrews as Marlena, and Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles. RZA has also been cast in an undisclosed role.
Minions: The Rise of Gru is set to hit theaters on July 1, 2022.
This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.
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, oust 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.