Despicable Me 4 (2024) – Everything You Need to Know

The Despicable Me franchise, one of Illumination Entertainment’s most successful animated series, is set to return with Despicable Me 4 in 2024. Fans of Gru, the Minions, and the beloved characters are eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming movie.

1. Plot and Story
The plot details for Despicable Me 4 are still largely under wraps, but based on the progression of the previous films, we can expect more mischievous adventures, comedic moments, and heartwarming themes.

Gru’s New Challenges: The previous film, Despicable Me 3 (2017), ended with Gru reconciling with his twin brother Dru, and a big change in his life as he left his villainous ways behind, focusing more on his family. Gru’s evolving relationship with his adopted daughters — Margo, Edith, and Agnes — will likely continue to be a central focus in the next chapter, with Gru balancing his life as a father and his potential return to the villainous world.

The Minions: The mischievous Minions are always a big part of the fun in the Despicable Me films. Their antics, loyalty to Gru, and sometimes chaotic nature will undoubtedly continue to provide much of the film’s humor. There’s a possibility that the Minions will find themselves in a new adventure, perhaps following a new mission or even dealing with Gru’s newest adversaries.

A New Villain?: As the title suggests, Gru is likely to face new challenges or new enemies in Despicable Me 4. The introduction of a new villain or threat seems likely, and it could present a unique comedic challenge for Gru and his crew.

Exploring Gru’s Past: We might also see more of Gru’s backstory and how his relationship with his family, especially his mother, shapes his current identity. Despicable Me 4 could delve deeper into Gru’s transition from villain to father and how that affects his personal growth.

2. Cast and Characters
The Despicable Me franchise is known for its star-studded voice cast, and Despicable Me 4 will bring back many familiar voices along with some potential new ones.

Steve Carell as Gru: Steve Carell returns as the lovable supervillain turned family man. Carell’s comedic timing and vocal performance as Gru have been central to the series’ success.
Pierre Coffin as The Minions: Pierre Coffin, who voices the Minions (and has also directed the films), will likely continue to provide the voice for the beloved yellow creatures.
Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde: Gru’s wife and former secret agent Lucy Wilde, who is also a fan-favorite character, will return. She adds a lot of heart and humor to the series.
Trey Parker as Balthazar Bratt: The villain from Despicable Me 3, a former child star turned villain obsessed with the ’80s, could make a return or have an influence in Despicable Me 4. However, new villains are likely to appear as well.
Other Returning Voices: Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, Dana Gaier as Edith, and Nev Scharrel as Agnes will likely return as Gru’s daughters. The strong dynamic between the family members is a core part of the film’s charm.
New voice actors and characters could be introduced, depending on the plot developments.

3. Themes
The Despicable Me films have always been known for their mix of family-friendly humor and heartfelt moments, and we can expect more of the same in Despicable Me 4.

Family and Fatherhood: Gru’s journey as a father is a central theme throughout the series. His love for his daughters, despite his former life as a supervillain, is one of the most touching parts of the franchise. In Despicable Me 4, Gru’s family dynamics will likely continue to evolve, with him balancing his love for his daughters and the challenges of parenthood.
Redemption and Change: Gru’s transition from a villain to a loving father has been a key aspect of his character development. We could see him facing new challenges related to his past, and how he continues to grow as a person, leaving behind his villainous roots while still navigating the occasional temptation to revert to his old ways.
Friendship and Loyalty: The Minions’ devotion to Gru and their hilarious antics will also be at the forefront, continuing the theme of loyalty and the importance of friendship.
Humor and Chaos: As always, Despicable Me 4 will be full of slapstick humor, chaos, and the beloved antics of the Minions. Expect plenty of physical comedy, quirky moments, and wild, unpredictable situations.