Break out the galactic celebration, folks! The universe just got a whole lot more exciting with the news that Star Wars creator George Lucas is joining the cast of 'Minions & Monsters' – the latest animated extravaganza from the makers of the 'Despicable Me' franchise. According to Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, it was Lucas's passion for those mischievous Minions that sealed his involvement in this intergalactic romp.
Meledandri revealed how he first met Lucas a couple of years ago and discovered their shared love for the 'Despicable Me' series. The meeting sparked an idea – what if they could bring the Star Wars legend on board? A dream team was formed, with director Pierre Coffin, co-writer Brian Lynch, and producer Bill Ryan joining forces to make it happen. Lucas was then invited to Paris to record his voice-over parts for the film.
The cast of 'Minions & Monsters' is a veritable galaxy of stars, featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Trey Parker, and Phil LaMarr. Lucas's participation marks a bold move into the world of animation for someone who has spent their career pushing the boundaries of live-action cinema.
The Minions' journey from humble beginnings in 2010 to global phenomenon is nothing short of remarkable. From 'Despicable Me' to dedicated spin-off films and even influencing high-street fashion trends, these lovable yellow henchmen have captured hearts worldwide.
'Minions & Monsters' will blast into cinemas on July 1st, with the 'Despicable Me' franchise continuing to defy expectations at the box office. With Lucas's involvement, it's set to attract an even broader audience and cement its place as one of this year's most anticipated releases.
While a streaming release date for 'Minions & Monsters' in the UK is still TBA, past Illumination titles have often found their way onto platforms like Sky Cinema, NOW, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and ITVX following their cinematic runs.