“Minions: The Rise of Gru” stars an exciting new cast, including Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as the calm and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilist Jean Clawed, who is armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun's habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller skating champion Svengeance, who spins kicks at his enemies with his spiked roller skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose massive iron hands are both a threat to others and a burden to himself.
The film also stars Russell Brand as young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with insane kung fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru's maddeningly self-centered mother. .
The mischievous Minions of a million years are back in their most anticipated animated sequel. Minions: The Rise of Gru, also known as Minions 2, is set to be an absolutely maddening and hilarious adventure starring cute little yellow creatures as they learn to work for their new master, a young Gru. A spin-off prequel to the 2015 Minions film, Minions: The Rise of Gru is the fifth installment in the Despicable Me franchise.
Stars: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson
Minions: The Rise of Gru is directed by Kyle Balda, who also directed Despicable Me 3 and Minions, with Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val serving as co-directors. It is written by Brian Lynch and Matthew Fogel. Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and Chris Renaud are the producers.
The plot of this prequel is set in the early 1970s, amidst retro art, disco music, and colorful costumes, all hallmark classics of that era. Gru is a 12-year-old fanboy of The Vicious 6, a group of supervillains. Along with his new team of Minions, led by Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and newcomer Otto, Gru devises a plan to become a recognized villain.
The story will follow a young Gru who grew up in the 1970s while idolizing his favorite group of supervillains, The Vicious 6. Gru wants to prove that he is evil enough to join the group and enlists the help of his adorable yellow assistants, the minions. Gru sees an opportunity when the group drives out their leader, Wild Knuckles. Gru taunts the group, stealing a stone from them and creating enemies in some of the world's most powerful figures of supervillains in the process. Facing a new threat, Gru is forced to turn to Wild Knuckles, as well as his faithful Minions, for guidance on how to combat evil.
Viewers can expect to see everything they love about the Despicable Me franchise represented in this movie. As Universal put it, the film is "brimming with Illumination's signature subversive humor, pop-culture sophistication, candid emotion, bold musical sensibility and over-the-top action."
Minions: The Rise of Gru will honor the longtime fans who grew up with the franchise by finally answering the question of what made Gru who he is as an adult.