Universal sets dates for ‘Despicable Me 4’

Universal has set a date for a new chapter in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise. ‘Despicable Me 4’, from the animation house Illumination, will hit theaters on July 3, 2024, the two companies announced Friday, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

‘Despicable Me 4’ will once again voice star Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Miranda Cosgrove and Steve Coogan, with ‘Despicable Me’ veteran Chris Renaud co-directing with his ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ partner Patrick Delage.

Illumination founder Chris Meledandri is producing the project, which has a script from Mike White, known for ‘School of Rock’ and the acclaimed HBO series ‘White Lotus’.

The ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, centered on Gru (Carell) the world’s greatest supervillain, launched in 2010 and also includes two Minions spinoffs, including the upcoming ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’, due out July 1. The franchise has been strong at the box office, with multiple installments of the series having topped the $1 billion mark. The movie follows Gru’s childhood exploits, where he attempts to joins a supervillain team called the Vicious 6.

Chris Renaud, who directed the first two ‘Despicable Me’ movies, is back for the fourth installment. Patrick Delage will co-direct, and Mike White will pen the script. Illumination founder Chris Meledandri will produce.

There are no details about the film as of yet, but expect plenty of zany shenanigans from Gru (Carell), Lucy Wilde (Wiig), Margo (Cosgrove), Silas Ramsbottom (Coogan) and a multitude of Minions, voiced by Coffin.