Director of Despicable Me 4 Talks About the Future of the Minions Franchise

Since 2010, the Despicable Me franchise has been a significant player in the world of entertainment. Illumination’s Minions films have consistently performed exceptionally well at the box office, with this year’s Despicable Me 4 earning over $850 million globally. With such impressive financial returns, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. A Minions 3 movie is already scheduled for release in 2027.

However, the final scene of Despicable Me 4 feels somewhat unconventional for an ongoing series. The scene features Gru participating in a talent show at a prison, accompanied by the film’s antagonist, Maxime Le Mal. As they perform “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” villains from previous Despicable Me and Minions movies make cameo appearances, joining in the performance. This moment, filled with many iconic characters, almost feels like a farewell to Gru and the Minions.

To delve deeper into this intriguing scene, ComicBook.com recently spoke with director Chris Renaud about its potential significance. Was it intended to be a swan song for these beloved characters?

“Look, I can only speak for myself, and I played a big part in crafting that scene and how it unfolded. For me, yes,” Renaud said. “What I mean is, considering Despicable Me 4 is performing well in theaters, and with Minions 3 already in the works, I thought it was an interesting opportunity to bring characters from across the ‘universe’ together for this great moment. It was a fun reunion/crossover in my eyes. You see similar things in other franchises like Deadpool & Wolverine. While I viewed it as a kind of final moment, I understood it probably wouldn’t be definitive.”

Renaud also suggested that the Despicable Me franchise could evolve similarly to other long-running franchises, such as Batman, where new filmmakers continuously offer fresh takes on the characters.

“The interesting aspect of these characters,” Renaud continued, “is that they can be reinvented continually. Take Batman, for example, one of my favorite characters. Directors like Matt Reeves come along and bring a new vision. Even after Chris Nolan’s Batman era ended, another filmmaker could say, ‘I have an idea.’ That’s the beauty of these animated worlds; there’s always a chance to give these characters new life. While we were creating the ending, I was aware of this possibility, even if it wasn’t the immediate reality.”

Despicable Me 4 is now available for purchase and rental on all major digital platforms.

Source: ComicBook.com