Despicable Me 4 - What We Know So Far

Get ready for another heated debate about what the Minions are actually saying, because another installment of the "Despicable Me" franchise is on its way. 

The first "Despicable Me" film, which premiered in 2010, starred Steve Carell as Gru, a self-proclaimed supervillain who is trying to make a name for himself. In order to pull off his latest heist, Gru adopts three sisters named Margo (voiced by Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher). With help from his army of Minions (who in earlier planning stages were originally supposed to look much different, before taking on the cute forms the world now knows so well), Gru eventually comes to see the girls as his children, and he is forced to reconsider his identity as a villain. 

And although they initially got off on the wrong foot, Gru's journey to create a family has struck a chord with viewers. With unique characters, whimsical storylines, and family oriented humor, the "Despicable Me" series is so successful that it has become one of the highest grossing animated franchises in history (via IndieWire). The previous films, as well as the spin-off movie "Minions," have demonstrated that the plot of the next "Despicable Me" movie could go in any number of directions. Here's what we know so far about the expected release date and cast of "Despicable Me 4."

As reported by Variety, "Despicable Me" 4 is set to premiere in theaters on July 3, 2024. 

Even though the film has a release date, there's no news about what the next film has in store for Gru and his family. The first film established the characters and the universe, while the subsequent two films introduced new characters like Gru's wife Lucy Wilde (voiced by Kristen Wiig), Silas Ramsbottom, the director of the Anti-Villain League (Steve Coogan), and Gru's twin brother Dru (also voiced by Steve Carell), as well as new antagonists like Eduardo Pérez/El Macho (Benjamin Bratt) and Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker). 

Fans of the franchise will have to wait and see what new challenges the characters will have to face. Each movie has done a great job of keeping the narrative fun and interesting, so really, the sky's the limit in terms of what could happen.

While no specific plot details have been released, we do know that the actors who voice the main characters will be reprising their roles for the fourth film in the franchise. Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin (voice of the Minions), Miranda Cosgrove, and Steve Coogan will all be returning. Another familiar face will be returning–Chris Renaud, who helmed the first two "Despicable Me" movies, will be back to direct the fourth (via Variety).

While you wait for more details about "Despicable Me 4," fans of the series can look forward to the next spin-off film, "Minions: The Rise of Gru," which will premiere in July. The film, which features an all-star cast that includes the vocal talents of actors like Taraji P. Henson, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin, follows a young Gru as he attempts to become the most fearsome supervillain the world has ever known.