Despicable Me 4 Director Reveals Fantastic Four-Inspired Mega Minions

Despicable Me 4 is set to make its big-screen debut this weekend, and it introduces some delightful nods to the Marvel universe. The trailers have showcased a new concept featuring "Mega Minions," a group of five Minions endowed with incredible powers but zero responsibility.

Recently, Illumination released a video where Steve Carrell, who voices Gru, poked fun at superhero movies by presenting Illumination’s "Megaverse." Though the Megaverse is fictional, the Mega Minions draw significant inspiration from Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Directors Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage discussed this in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

For instance, one Mega Minion bears a resemblance to The Thing with its rock-like appearance, while another mimics Mr. Fantastic with its stretching abilities.

Initially, the Minions were part of the story in a wealthy town called Mayflower, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle on yachts and in Vegas. However, this setting didn’t offer much comedic potential. The idea then shifted to the Minions working at the Anti-Villain League (AVL) and becoming agents, which seemed more entertaining and dynamic.

Renaud highlighted that they aimed for simple, graphic powers that the audience could quickly grasp. Given the limited screen time, they chose archetypal powers similar to those of the Fantastic Four. Although the powers aren’t identical, the goofy nature of the Fantastic Four’s abilities lent itself well to the Minions. This approach allowed for a natural blend of superpowers with the Minions’ distinct designs, enhancing their comedic effect.

For example, one of the Mega Minions, Tim, stretches due to his tall stature, making his power fitting. Mel, who has laser beam abilities, extends his goggle to shoot lasers, a power that arises logically from his one-eyed design.

Despicable Me 4 reunites Gru and his family on another wild adventure. Following the tremendous success of Minions: The Rise of Gru in 2022, which grossed nearly $1 billion globally, the latest installment promises new thrills. The story follows Gru (Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) along with their daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Polan) as they welcome a new member, Gru Jr., who loves to torment his dad.

Gru faces a formidable new foe, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), and his partner Valentina (Sofia Vergara). This plot twist forces the family to go on the run, introducing new characters voiced by Joey King, Stephen Colbert, and Chloe Fineman. Pierre Coffin returns as the voice of the Minions, with Steve Coogan reprising his role as Silas Ramsbottom.

The film, packed with non-stop action and Illumination’s trademark humor, is directed by Chris Renaud, co-creator of the Minions, and produced by Illumination’s founder Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman. Patrick Delage co-directs, with a screenplay by Mike White and Ken Daurio, ensuring that the comedic charm remains intact.

Despicable Me 4 is now playing in theaters.

Source: Entertainment Weekly