{"id":76282,"date":"2022-06-20T14:26:38","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T12:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=76282"},"modified":"2022-06-20T14:26:38","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T12:26:38","slug":"steve-carell-minions-bring-the-fun-to-big-ben","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2022\/06\/steve-carell-minions-bring-the-fun-to-big-ben\/","title":{"rendered":"STEVE CARELL & MINIONS BRING THE FUN TO BIG BEN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world\u2019s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema\u2019s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru<\/em>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MINIONS:
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU \u00a9 2021 Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto\u2014a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please\u2014this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the infamous supervillain supergroup,\u00a0the Vicious 6, oust their leader\u2014legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0winner Alan Arkin)\u2014\u00a0Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member.\u00a0The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MINIONS:
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU \u00a9 2021 Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise\u2019s signature subversive humour, Minions: The Rise of Gru<\/em> stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who\u2019s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun\u2019s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film also stars Russell Brand as\u00a0Young\u00a0Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0winner Julie Andrews as Gru\u2019s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MINIONS:
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU \u00a9 2021 Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steered by the franchise\u2019s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru<\/em> is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3<\/em>, Minions<\/em>), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons<\/em>) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets<\/em> films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer \u201970s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starring<\/strong> Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Rza, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, <\/strong>with Julie Andrews <\/strong>and Alan Arkin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directed by <\/em><\/strong>Kyle Balda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

   Co-Directed by <\/em><\/strong>Brad Ableson, Jonathan Del Val<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by Chris<\/em><\/strong> Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\"Minions: