Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|2024 Illumination film}} {{Use American English|date=July 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox film | image = Despicable Me 4 Theatrical Release Poster.jpeg | caption = Theatrical release poster | alt = A Minion is in between the teeth of a rock-skinned Mega Minion. | director = [[Chris Renaud]]<!-- Do not add co-director Patrick Delage in infobox. The position of co-director is a different credit than director which isn't provided in infobox. --> | writer = {{Plainlist| * [[Mike White (filmmaker)|Mike White]] * [[Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio|Ken Daurio]] }} | producer = {{Plainlist| * [[Chris Meledandri]] * Brett Hoffman }} | starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- per production note billing block --> * [[Steve Carell]] * [[Kristen Wiig]] * [[Pierre Coffin]] * [[Joey King]] * [[Miranda Cosgrove]] * [[Stephen Colbert]] * [[Sofía Vergara]] * [[Steve Coogan]] * Madison Polan * [[Dana Gaier]] * [[Chloe Fineman]] * [[Will Ferrell]] }} | editing = Tiffany Hillkurtz | music = {{Plainlist| * [[Heitor Pereira]] (score) * [[Pharrell Williams]] (songs and themes) }} | studio = {{Plainlist| * [[Universal Pictures]]<ref name="THRreview">{{cite web |last1=Gyarkye |first1=Lovia |title='Despicable Me 4' Review: Gru's Family Grows in Illumination Animation That Serves Up Familiar Antics |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/despicable-me-4-review-1235933955/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=4 July 2024 |date=28 June 2024 |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630173338/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/despicable-me-4-review-1235933955/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]]<ref name="THRreview"/> }} | distributor = Universal Pictures<ref name="THRreview"/> | released = {{Film date|2024|06|09|[[Jazz at Lincoln Center]]|2024|07|03|United States}} | runtime = 95 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 7, 2024|title=''Despicable Me 4'' (U)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/despicable-me-4-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmde4odi0|access-date=June 30, 2024|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref> | country = United States | language = English | budget = $100 million<ref name="TheHollywoodMonday">{{Cite web|title=Despicable Me 4 Budget Revealed: It's Reportedly 100 Million|url=https://www.hollywoodmonday.com/despicable-me-4-budget-revealed-its-reportedly-100-million#tab=summary|website=The Hollywood Monday| date=June 8, 2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> | gross = $852 million<ref name="NUM">{{Cite web|title=Despicable Me 4 — Financial Information|url=https://the-numbers.com/movie/Despicable-Me-4-(2024)#tab=summary|website=The Numbers|access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt7510222/|title=Despicable Me 4|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> }} '''''Despicable Me 4''''' is a 2024 American animated [[comedy film]] produced by [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]], and distributed by Universal. It is the sequel to ''[[Despicable Me 3]]'' (2017), the fourth main installment, and the sixth overall installment in the ''[[Despicable Me]]'' franchise. The film was directed by [[Chris Renaud]], co-directed by Patrick Delage (in his feature directorial debut), produced by [[Chris Meledandri]] and Brett Hoffman, and written by [[Mike White (filmmaker)|Mike White]] and [[Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio|Ken Daurio]]. It stars the voices of [[Steve Carell]], [[Kristen Wiig]], [[Pierre Coffin]], [[Joey King]], [[Miranda Cosgrove]], [[Steve Coogan]], [[Sofía Vergara]], [[Stephen Colbert]], Renaud, Madison Polan, [[Dana Gaier]], [[Chloe Fineman]], and [[Will Ferrell]]. The film sees reformed supervillain and secret agent [[Gru]] (Carell) relocate his family to a safe house when his old rival Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell) seeks revenge. Subplots deal with Gru's family adjusting to their new lives, teenage neighbor Poppy Prescott (King) trying to follow in Gru's villainous footsteps, and a group of Gru's [[Minions (Despicable Me)|Minions]] (Coffin) becoming [[superhero]]es. Development on a fourth main ''Despicable Me'' film began in September 2017. It was officially confirmed in February 2022, with Renaud, Delage, and White attached as director, co-director, and writer, respectively. Production was underway by June 2022. Most of the main voice cast was announced in January 2024, with Hoffman and Daurio revealed as co-producer and co-writer, respectively. [[Heitor Pereira]] and [[Pharrell Williams]] returned from previous installments to compose the score and write original songs and themes, respectively. ''Despicable Me 4'' premiered at the [[Jazz at Lincoln Center]] in New York City on June 9, 2024, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 3. The film received mixed reviews and has grossed $852 million worldwide, becoming a box-office success and making it the [[2024 in film|third-highest-grossing film of 2024]]. == Plot == <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 and 700 words --> Sometime after the events of the [[Despicable Me 3|third flim]], Anti-Villain League (AVL) agent [[Gru]] attends a reunion at his [[alma mater]], Lycée Pas Bon. There, he reunites with his rival Maxime Le Mal, who harbors a grudge towards Gru for stealing his talent show act when they were in school. Maxime reveals he has enhanced himself with cockroach parts to make himself over-powered and able to conquer the world, but Gru arrests him with the help of the AVL. Maxime escapes from the AVL prison the next day with the help of his girlfriend Valentina. He reveals an invention that turns people into human-roach hybrids, which he plans to specifically use on Gru's infant son Gru Jr. Silas Ramsbottom comes out of retirement and visits the Gru household to inform them of Maxime's escape; and that the AVL will have to relocate them to a house in another town named Mayflower until Maxime is recaptured. Assuming new names and identities as part of a [[witness protection]] program, Gru becomes Chet, a solar panel salesman, and Lucy becomes Blanche and is given a [[hairdressing]] career.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://nextmag.ca/review-sequel-still-fresh-for-fourth-instalment-of-despicable-me-series|title=Review: Sequel still fresh for fourth instalment of 'Despicable Me' series |access-date=2024-07-22 |magazine=Next Magazine Canada}}</ref> Most of the [[Minions (Despicable Me)|Minions]] are taken in by the AVL, five of whom are augmented with powers by Silas’ super serum, under an initiative called the Mega Minions, which is canceled after the group causes collateral damage in a city. In their new well-off residential town, Gru and his family meet their neighbors, the Prescotts. Their teenage daughter, Poppy, an aspiring villainess, recognizes Gru from his former career as a villain. She threatens to blow Gru's cover unless he helps her pull off a heist to steal Lycée Pas Bon's mascot, a [[honey badger]] named Lenny, so she can enroll there. As Lucy stays home with the girls, the pair, with the help of two Minions and Gru Jr., successfully steal Lenny and escape in a flying car. But the school's elderly principal, Übelschlecht, identifies Gru from security camera footage and contacts Maxime to inform him of Gru's whereabouts, using a tracker in Lenny's collar. The next day, Gru and Lucy are away at the local country club with Poppy's parents Perry and Patsy, while Poppy and Lenny are at the safe house with Margo, Edith, Agnes and Gru Jr. Poppy notices Übelschlecht visiting, and quickly leaves with Lenny, leaving Übelschlecht to interrogate the girls about Gru's whereabouts. Gru and Lucy rush home after being called by Margo and fight Übelschlecht. Lucy also contacts the AVL, who in turn summon the Mega Minions to stop Maxime. In the chaos, however, Gru Jr. leaves the house and is spotted by Maxime and Valentina, who kidnap him and take him into their ship. Gru decides to save his son along with Poppy while Lucy and the girls stay behind to handle Übelschlecht. Poppy uses the flying car to help Gru get onto the ship. Valentina tries to stop Gru from getting inside, but she is knocked off the roof. The ship crashes into a building under construction, where Maxime reveals he has transformed and brainwashed Gru Jr. into a roach hybrid, much to Gru's horror, and Maxime uses Gru Jr. to fight him off. Gru is knocked out, but his encouraging words to his son break Gru Jr. from his state, and attacks Maxime instead. Maxime falls off the building and is squashed by the Mega Minions with the aid of animals and insects who have followed them. The AVL and Silas arrive in turn to arrest Maxime and Valentina once again. Returning to the safe house and reunited with Lucy and the girls, Gru thanks Poppy for her help before she adopts Lenny as her new pet. Gru and his family return home, where Dr. Nefario reverses Gru Jr.'s transformation, and Agnes reunites with Lucky. Gru visits Maxime in an AVL prison to settle their differences. To show their reconciliation, the pair performs "[[Everybody Wants to Rule the World]]" for the prisoners, which include several of Gru's past adversaries, while Poppy enrolls to Lycee Pas Bon with Lenny as her new honey badger. ==Voice cast== *[[Steve Carell]] as [[Gru]], a former supervillain turned Anti-Villain League agent; who is Margo, Edith, and Agnes' adoptive father, the biological father of Gru Jr., and Lucy's husband, who poses as "Chet Cunningham Sr." *[[Kristen Wiig]] as Lucy Wilde, an Anti-Villain League agent, Gru's wife and adoptive mother to Margo, Edith, and Agnes, and Gru Jr.'s biological mother, who poses as "Blanche Cunningham" *[[Will Ferrell]] as Maxime Le Mal, a French-accented, cockroach-themed supervillain who was an old highschool rival of Gru and seeks revenge against him and his family. *[[Joey King]] as Poppy Prescott, an aspiring supervillainess who has admired Gru for a long time, and Gru's new neighbor in Mayflower<ref name="productionnotes">{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated -->|title=1 Asset from Universal Pictures Publicity's Despicable Me 4 |url=https://dam.gettyimages.com/s/sxnxv67vmp696tcvw66c4b|website=Getty Images|date=<!-- not stated -->|access-date=May 14, 2024|archive-date=May 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514144134/https://dam.gettyimages.com/s/sxnxv67vmp696tcvw66c4b|url-status=live}}</ref> *[[Sofía Vergara]] as Valentina, Maxime's [[femme fatale]] girlfriend who owns a pet [[Maltese dog]] *[[Stephen Colbert]] as Perry Prescott, Poppy's father, Patsy's husband, and Gru's new neighbor in Mayflower<ref name="productionnotes"/> *[[Chloe Fineman]] as Patsy Prescott, Poppy's mother, Perry's wife, and Gru's new neighbor in Mayflower<ref name="productionnotes"/> *[[Miranda Cosgrove]] as Margo, Gru and Lucy's oldest adopted daughter, who poses as "Bree Cunningham" *[[Steve Coogan]] as Silas Ramsbottom, the previously retired director of the Anti-Villain League *[[Pierre Coffin]] as the [[Minions (Despicable Me)|Minions]], the yellow henchmen of Gru, most of whom later get jobs at the Anti-Villain League as agents and superheroes *[[Dana Gaier]] as Edith, Gru and Lucy's middle adopted daughter, who poses as "Blair Cunningham" *Madison Polan as Agnes, Gru and Lucy's youngest adopted daughter, who poses as "Britney Cunningham". Polan replaces Nev Scharrel from the [[Despicable Me 3|third film]] *[[Tara Strong]] as Gru Jr., Gru and Lucy's biological son, who poses as "Chet Cunningham Jr."<ref name="TheHinduReview">{{Cite web |last=Chhibber |first=Mimi Anthikad |date=July 5, 2024 |title=''Despicable Me 4'' movie review: Surf this tide of multi-hued super-villainy including the blue-and-yellow kind |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/despicable-me-4-movie-review-surf-this-tide-of-multi-hued-super-villainy-including-the-blue-and-yellow-kind/article68370847.ece |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240705133931/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/despicable-me-4-movie-review-surf-this-tide-of-multi-hued-super-villainy-including-the-blue-and-yellow-kind/article68370847.ece |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> *[[Chris Renaud]] as Principal Frau Übelschlecht, the principal of Lycée Pas Bon who is an elderly woman Additionally, [[John DiMaggio]], who had previously voiced one of the former henchmen of Wild Knuckles in ''[[Minions: The Rise of Gru]]'' (2022) and a Scoutmaster in the ''Minion Scouts'' animated short, voices Karl, a bus driver who works for the AVL transporting the remaining Minions to their new destination. [[Laraine Newman]] voices Melora, a salon customer who was accidentally burned by Lucy, Brad Ableson voices Sensei O'Sullivan, Agnes and Edith's karate master,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/bradableson/reel/C89v11exGjI/ | title=Instagram }}</ref> and [[Romesh Ranganathan]] voices Dr. Nefario, Gru's scientist. Ranganathan replaces Nefario's long-time actor, [[Russell Brand]], due to Brand's sexual misconduct allegations.<ref name="TheHinduReview" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Max |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Russell Brand replaced in ''Despicable Me'' franchise after rape and sexual assault allegations |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/09/russell-brand-replaced-despicable-me-rape-sexual-assault/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809193749/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/09/russell-brand-replaced-despicable-me-rape-sexual-assault/ |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> Cameos at the end of the film include Gru's neighbor, Fred McDade, his mother Marlena, and his twin brother Dru, as well as several villains from previous installments: Vector and his father Mr. Perkins, Eduardo Perez / El Macho, Balthazar Bratt, Scarlet and Herb Overkill, and the remaining members of the Vicious 6; Belle Bottom, Jean-Clawed, Svengeance, Stronghold, and Nun-Chuck. ==Production== === Development === Development of ''Despicable Me 4'' began in September 2017, with longtime ''[[Despicable Me]]'' and Illumination writers [[Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio]] writing early drafts of the script.<ref name="DM4">{{cite web |last1=Sakoui |first1=Anousha |last2=Palmeri |first2=Christopher |title=In Dismal Summer, ''Despicable Me 3'' Producer Delivers $1 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |access-date=January 4, 2021 |date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135104/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The film was officially confirmed in February 2022, with veteran ''Despicable Me'' director [[Chris Renaud]], Patrick Delage, and [[Mike White (filmmaker)|Mike White]] attached as director, co-director, and writer, respectively, and a July 3, 2024, release date announced.<ref name="Deadline DM4 date">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films ''Migration'' & ''Despicable Me 4'' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218203450/https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=February 18, 2022 |title=''Despicable Me 4'' Set for Summer 2024 by Illumination, Universal |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/despicable-me-4-release-date-1235186106/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218232745/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/despicable-me-4-release-date-1235186106/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Production was underway by June 2022, with [[Steve Carell]] starting his voice recording after a "couple of sessions".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Seddon |first1=Dan |last2=Sandwell |first2=Ian |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Steve Carell gives exciting ''Despicable Me 4'' update as he teases plot |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a40429545/steve-carell-despicable-me-4-plot-tease/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627105344/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a40429545/steve-carell-despicable-me-4-plot-tease/ |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> Most of the production was done during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="AWN" /> In January 2024, it was announced that ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023) executive producer Brett Hoffman and Daurio had been added as co-producer and co-writer, respectively.<ref name="DM4Universal">{{cite web |title=Despicable Me 4 |url=https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/despicable-me-4 |website=Universal Pictures |access-date=28 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129044316/https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/despicable-me-4 |url-status=live }}</ref> === Writing === White wrote the screenplay of ''Despicable Me 4'' with Daurio, who joined him later in the production.<ref name="THRRenaudInterview">{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=July 4, 2024 |title=''Despicable Me 4'' Director on Spoofing Superheroes, GentleMinions and Those Crowd-Pleasing Cameos |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/despicable-me-4-director-mega-minions-gentleminions-interview-1235938710/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704204944/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/despicable-me-4-director-mega-minions-gentleminions-interview-1235938710/ |archive-date=July 4, 2024 |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> The filmmakers aimed to delve deeper into the film's many aspects to have a "proper balance" in the story, since ''[[Minions: The Rise of Gru]]'' was delayed in July 2022. Renaud and White had ideas for the narrative including Gru and his family being forced into witness protection and Gru's rogue rival from high school; they were intended to foster a connection with the audience, depending on each subplot focus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=March 4, 2021 |title=''F9'' Postponed for the Third Time, ''Minions'' Sequel Pushed to 2022 |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/f9-release-date-postponed-summer-1234883492/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304233401/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/f9-release-date-postponed-summer-1234883492/ |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=June 26, 2024 |title=''Despicable Me 4'' Director Chris Renaud Talks Minions Fandom, Why Gru's Kids Won't Age & Thoughts On A Mega Minions Spinoff |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-director-chris-renaud-mega-minions-plans-1235978601/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626164726/https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-director-chris-renaud-mega-minions-plans-1235978601/ |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> An abandoned Mega Minions idea from ''[[Despicable Me 2]]'' (2013) was resurrected for ''Despicable Me 4''. The filmmakers researched initial concepts of the idea,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=July 15, 2024 |title=''Despicable Me 4'': How the Mega Minions Got Their Superpowers |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/despicable-me-4-mega-minions-chris-renaud-1236051326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715191118/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/despicable-me-4-mega-minions-chris-renaud-1236051326/ |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> taking inspiration from the [[Marvel Comics]] team [[Fantastic Four]] and the [[Pixar]] film ''[[The Incredibles]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Lauren |date=July 3, 2024 |title=''Despicable Me 4'' director on why the new Mega Minions were inspired by ''Fantastic Four'' |url=https://ew.com/why-despicable-me-4-mega-minions-inspired-fantastic-four-8672430 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703135449/https://ew.com/why-despicable-me-4-mega-minions-inspired-fantastic-four-8672430 |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |access-date=August 12, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desowitz |first=Bill |date=July 3, 2024 |title=In ''Despicable Me 4'', Director Chris Renaud Got to Go Full Superhero Vibes with Mega Minions |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/despicable-me-4-animation-mega-minions-chris-renaud-interview-1235021973/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703225156/https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/despicable-me-4-animation-mega-minions-chris-renaud-interview-1235021973/ |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref> To differentiate the Mega Minions and give them a "fresh interpretation", Renaud wanted to avoid similarities to the large number of media related to superheroes, so he considered them as having "[t]heir incompetence and their Minion-esque qualities".<ref name="THRRenaudInterview" /> === Casting === In January 2024, it was announced that Carell, [[Kristen Wiig]], [[Miranda Cosgrove]], [[Dana Gaier]], [[Pierre Coffin]], and [[Steve Coogan]] would return to reprise their respective roles as Gru, Lucy Wilde, Margo, Edith, the Minions, and Silas Ramsbottom, while [[Will Ferrell]], [[Joey King]], [[Sofía Vergara]], [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Chloe Fineman]], and Madison Polan (replacing Nev Scharrel) would join the voice cast, respectively voicing Maxime Le Mal, Poppy Prescott, Valentina, Perry Prescott, Patsy Prescott, and Agnes.<ref name="DM4Trailer">{{cite web |last1=Dick |first1=Jeremy |title=Gru Faces a New Nemesis in First Despicable Me 4 Trailer |url=https://www.cbr.com/despicable-me-4-first-trailer/ |website=CBR |access-date=January 28, 2024 |language=en |date=January 28, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204103037/https://www.cbr.com/despicable-me-4-first-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Instagram|user=joeyking|postid=C2qIG11SNKt|title=Say hello to Poppy. You do not wanna get on her bad side…she can be pretty…Despicable. #DM4 coming to theaters July 3rd. Trailer out now|date=January 28, 2024|author-link=Joey King}}</ref> ===Animation=== According to Renaud, some of the characters who appeared in previous films had their [[skeletal animation|character rigs]] and surfaces updated for this sequel. Fred McDade, who had not appeared since the [[Despicable Me 2|second film]], was recreated from scratch, as his character model was too old. The sequence where Poppy plays with an arcade machine originally started out as an animation test for the character, but the filmmakers liked the sequence so much that it was added to the final cut of the film.<ref name="AWN">{{cite web|last1=Sarto|first1=Dan|last2=Hofferman|first2=Jon|title=Wacky Mayhem is Back in 'Despicable Me 4'|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/wacky-mayhem-back-despicable-me-4|website=Animation World Network|date=July 3, 2024|access-date=July 7, 2024|archive-date=July 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707091138/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/wacky-mayhem-back-despicable-me-4|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Music== {{Main|Despicable Me 4 (soundtrack){{!}}''Despicable Me 4'' (soundtrack)}} In March 2024, [[Heitor Pereira]] was announced to be composing the film's score, returning from the previous installments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heitor Pereira Scoring Illumination Entertainment's 'Despicable Me 4' {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/03/25/heitor-pereira-scoring-illumination-entertainments-despicable-me-4/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Pharrell Williams]] was also confirmed to be returning to co-compose the score with Pereira as well as to write new songs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jirax |first1=Jamie |title=Despicable Me 4 Confirms Pharrell Williams Returning as Songwriter and Performer |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-confirms-pharrell-williams-returning-as-songwriter-and-performer/ |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |access-date=April 16, 2024 |date=April 11, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415184437/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-confirms-pharrell-williams-returning-as-songwriter-and-performer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The original soundtrack was released on June 27, 2024, by Back Lot Music.<ref>{{cite web |title='Despicable Me 4' Soundtrack Album Details {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/06/27/despicable-me-4-soundtrack-album-details/ |access-date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718230205/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/06/27/despicable-me-4-soundtrack-album-details/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Marketing== The first trailer for the film was released on January 28, 2024, during the [[2023–24 NFL playoffs|2023–24 NFL playoff]] championship games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-trailer/ |title=''Despicable Me 4'' Trailer Released |website=ComicBook.com |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128211541/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The trailer features the songs "[[Sweet Child O' Mine]]" by [[Guns N' Roses]] and "[[Maneater (Hall & Oates song)|Maneater]]" by [[Hall & Oates]], as well as in television showings, "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]" by [[DragonForce]]. ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]'' reported that the trailer showcased "the struggles of welcoming in a new member of the Gru family" and included the debut of Will Ferrell's Maxime Le Mal.<ref name="DM4Trailer" /> ''[[Screen Rant]]''{{'}}s Brennan Klein observed that Gru's tumultuous relationship with his son, Gru Jr., contrasted with the good relationship with his adopted daughters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Brennan |url=https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-4-trailer/ |title=Despicable Me 4 Trailer: Gru & His Son Team Up Against Revenge-Seeking Villain |date=January 28, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=June 3, 2024}}</ref> An additional trailer was revealed on February 11 during [[Super Bowl LVIII]], being narrated by [[Jon Hamm]], who previously voiced Herb Overkill in the 2015 spin-off film ''[[Minions (film)|Minions]]'', and featuring cameos by Ferrell and Steve Carell. Ryan Gajewski of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said the trailer appeared to "tout the benefits of modern technology but feature strange images supposedly generated by [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]," enjoying the [[Renaissance]]-era-inspired poses of Ferrell and Carell in the trailer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Jon Hamm Narrates 'Despicable Me 4' Super Bowl Trailer Mocking AI Glitches |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/despicable-me-4-super-bowl-trailer-jon-hamm-1235821945/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> On April 10, at [[CinemaCon]], Universal displayed a clip of Gru and Poppy trying to steal a [[honey badger]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony D'Alessandro |last2=Tartaglione |first2=Nancy |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/despicable-me-4-universal-extended-look-cinemacon-1235881207/ |title='Despicable Me 4' Kicks Off Universal's 2024 CinemaCon With Gru's Honey Badger Heist |date=April 10, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614190242/https://deadline.com/2024/04/despicable-me-4-universal-extended-look-cinemacon-1235881207/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Brennan Kline of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' appreciated that the clip solidified the "important element" of Gru's domestic family man status in the sequel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Brennan |url=https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-4-footage-description-gru-heist-cinemacon/ |title=Gru & His Son Rob An Old Lady In First Despicable Me 4 Footage Shown At CinemaCon |date=April 10, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507213758/https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-4-footage-description-gru-heist-cinemacon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The second trailer was released on May 7, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Timothy |date=May 7, 2024 |title=New Despicable Me 4 Trailer Released |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-trailer-released-online-watch/ |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |access-date=May 7, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507161308/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/despicable-me-4-trailer-released-online-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[TheWrap]]'', Drew Taylor called the trailer "Minions-heavy" and pointed out one of Pharrell Williams' new original songs featured in the trailer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |url=https://www.thewrap.com/despicable-me-4-trailer-will-ferrell-mega-minions/ |title=New 'Despicable Me 4' Trailer Introduces the Mega-Minions and Will Ferrell's Evil Frenchman |date=May 7, 2024 |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=June 3, 2024}}</ref> ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' noted the "devastating consequences" of enlisting a small group of Minion volunteers for an experiment that gave them [[Superpower (ability)|superpower]]s. Journalist Diego Peralta pointed out a sequence in which one of the super-powered minions destroys a part of their base with laser vision and said that villains Maxime and Valentina "are more dangerous than any threat Gru has faced before."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peralta |first=Diego |url=https://collider.com/despicable-me-4-trailer-steve-carrell/ |title=The Minions Develop Super-Powers in New 'Despicable Me 4' Trailer |date=May 7, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |access-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718230207/https://collider.com/despicable-me-4-trailer-steve-carrell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 8, 2024, Illumination released a parody teaser for the film in which Steve Carell announces the ''Megaverse'', a parody of shared universes such as the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] and [[DC Extended Universe]], by claiming that Illumination would release 100 years' worth of films, television series, and stage productions starring the Mega Minions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Despicable Me 4: Steve Carell Roasts Marvel, DC in Hilarious New Video |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/despicable-me-4-steve-carell-roasts-marvel-dc-in-hilarious-new-video/ |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=Comicbook.com |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608200211/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/despicable-me-4-steve-carell-roasts-marvel-dc-in-hilarious-new-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Illumination also published a website for the ''Megaverse''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Powster |title=Illumination's The Megaverse |url=https://www.despicable.me/megaverse/ |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=Despicable Me 4 (2024) {{!}} Only in Theaters July 3 |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608020635/https://www.despicable.me/megaverse |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the fake productions noted on the website include ''Mega Minions: [[Tax write-off|The Tax Write-Off]]'' and an untitled ''Mega Minions'' spin-off series with a "story to be determined based on rigorous market testing and ad hoc decision-making."<ref name=":1" />{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}} The stunt was praised{{by whom|date=July 2024}} for its lampooning of current Hollywood affairs such as the cancellation of [[Warner Bros.]] films like [[Batgirl (film)|''Batgirl'']], ''[[Scoob! Holiday Haunt]]'' and ''[[Coyote vs. Acme]]'' and the 2022 DCEU film ''[[Black Adam (film)|Black Adam]]'', as well as the mixed reception to [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]'s [[List of Disney live-action adaptations and remakes of Disney animated films|live-action remakes of their classic animated films]] and many of Marvel's recent productions, such as ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania]]'' and ''[[Secret Invasion (miniseries)|Secret Invasion]]''.<ref name=":0" />{{failed verification|date=July 2024}} ==Release== ===Theatrical=== ''Despicable Me 4'' [[premiere]]d at the [[Jazz at Lincoln Center]] in New York City on June 9, 2024,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Kate |last2=Rice |first2=Nicholas |title=See All the Stars Arriving at the Premiere of 'Despicable Me 4' |url=https://people.com/despicable-me-4-red-carpet-arrivals-photos-8660558 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=June 10, 2024 |date=June 9, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610115647/https://people.com/despicable-me-4-red-carpet-arrivals-photos-8660558 |url-status=live }}</ref> and made its French premiere at the [[Annecy International Animation Film Festival]] on June 13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-french-premiere-annecy-1235973006/ |title='Despicable Me 4' Enjoys Homecoming Welcome As It Makes French Premiere In Annecy |date=June 13, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718230207/https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-french-premiere-annecy-1235973006/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was theatrically released in Australia on June 20,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film review: 'Despicable Me 4' by Nick Gardener from 'Built For Speed' – 88.3 Southern FM |url=https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/film-review-despicable-me-4-by-nick-gardener-from-built-for-speed/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=Southern FM |language=en-US |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630173344/https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/film-review-despicable-me-4-by-nick-gardener-from-built-for-speed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in the United States on July 3.<ref name="Deadline DM4 date" /> ===Home media=== ''Despicable Me 4'' was released by [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]] on [[Digital distribution|digital download]] on August 6, 2024. It includes two short films, ''Game Over and Over'' and ''Benny's Birthday''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lammers |first1=Tim |title='Despicable Me 4' Gets Digital Streaming Premiere Date |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/07/25/despicable-me-4-gets-digital-streaming-premiere-date/ |website=Forbes |date=25 July 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> As part of Universal's long-term deal with [[Netflix]], the film will stream on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix for the next ten and returning to Peacock for the remaining four.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |title=NBCUniversal's New Theatrical Window Scheme To Bring Films To Peacock After As Few As 45 Days Of Release |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |access-date=December 10, 2021 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209190325/https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|title=Netflix extends exclusive rights to Universal's animated films in the US|last=Moon|first=Mariella|website=[[Engadget]]|date=July 14, 2021|access-date=July 14, 2021|language=en|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710055401/https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Reception== ===Box office=== {{As of|2024|8|22|df=US}}, ''Despicable Me 4'' has grossed $343.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $508.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $852 million.<ref name="NUM" /><ref name="BOM" /> In the United States and Canada, ''Despicable Me 4'' was projected to gross $100–125 million from 4,030 theaters in its five-day opening weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-box-office-projection-1235972952/ |title='Despicable Me 4': Minions To Rule July 4th Frame Again With $100M+ In 5-Day Opening – Box Office Early Look |date=June 13, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613225113/https://deadline.com/2024/06/despicable-me-4-box-office-projection-1235972952/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Despicable Me 4' Looking to Ignite Fourth of July Box Office With $100 Million-Plus Debut |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/despicable-me-4-july-fourth-box-office-opening-weekend-projections-1236057924/ |website=Variety |access-date=1 July 2024 |date=1 July 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718230207/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/despicable-me-4-july-fourth-box-office-opening-weekend-projections-1236057924/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film made $27 million on its first day and $20.4 million on its second.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/despicable-me-4-independence-day-box-office-july-4-horizon-flops-1236060880/ |title='Despicable Me 4' Tops July 4th Box Office With $20.4 Million, 'Inside Out 2' Crosses $500 Million Domestically |date=July 5, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 5, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Opening">{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title='Despicable Me 4' Lights $27M Wednesday, 'A' CinemaScore; $120M 5-Day Opening Still In Reach; 'Inside Out 2' Crossing Half Billion U.S. Today – Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-despicable-me-4-1236001250/ |website=Deadline |access-date=4 July 2024 |date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718230128/https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-despicable-me-4-1236001250/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It went on to debut to $75 million over the traditional three-day weekend, along with a total five-day gross of $122.6 million, topping the box office.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title='Despicable Me 4' Leaves 'Em Laughing With $122M+ 5-Day Over July 4th Frame – Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-despicable-me-4-1236001250/ |website=Deadline |access-date=July 7, 2024 |date=July 7, 2024 |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706210453/https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-despicable-me-4-1236001250/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film made $43.6 million the following weekend, remaining in first place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W28/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 28|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=July 16, 2024|archive-date=July 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715185340/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W28/|url-status=live}}</ref> In its third weekend the film made $24.4 million, finishing in second behind newcomer ''[[Twisters (film)|Twisters]]'', and then made $14.6 million in its fourth weekend, finishing in third behind ''Twisters'' and ''[[Deadpool & Wolverine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W29/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 29|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=July 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W30/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 30|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=August 5, 2024}}</ref> Internationally the film opened in different countries with different dates, with Australia being the earliest country to release it. The film opened big in multiple countries, and in some it settled franchise records, though in many countries that it opened prior to its US release date, the film opened second behind ''[[Inside Out 2]]'', slowing its international climb.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/despicable-me-4-international-box-office-25-million/ |title='Despicable Me 4' Continues Its Head Start at the International Box Office |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=June 30, 2024 |access-date=July 16, 2024 }}</ref> ===Critical response=== {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|56|5.6|162|Fast paced and teeming with slapstick gags, ''Despicable Me 4'' is as overstuffed as a piñata but full of enough candy to give audiences an enjoyable sugar rush.|ref=y|access-date=July 21, 2024}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=52 |count=36|ref=yes |access-date=July 2, 2024}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale (same as the first two films), while those surveyed by [[PostTrak]] gave the film an 82% positive score, with 63% saying they would definitely recommend it.<ref name="Opening" /> [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] admitted the film is entertaining but found the plot overcrowded with useless characters: "One thing is absolutely certain: We haven't seen the last of these characters, even if we might prefer that a few of them sit out the next sequel—like the Mega Minions, who aren't nearly as cute as they sound."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=June 14, 2024 |title='Despicable Me 4' Review: Illumination Adds a Baby and Five Mega Minions to Gru's Already Overcrowded Family |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/despicable-me-4-review-mega-minions-1236037073/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> A similar appraisal can be found in ''[[Screen Rant]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Labonte |first=Rachel |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Despicable Me 4 Review: I Can't Shake The Feeling That Something's Missing From Gru's Latest Adventure |url=https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-4-movie-review/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628204203/https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-4-movie-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> or in ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', noting, for example, the underdeveloped role of the villain in the midst of the various plot lines: "Running a brisk 95 minutes, ''Despicable Me 4'' doesn't leave enough time for Maxime to enact his plans in a way that packs an emotional punch."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gyarkye |first=Lovia |date=June 28, 2024 |title='Despicable Me 4' Review: Gru's Family Grows in Illumination Animation That Serves Up Familiar Antics |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/despicable-me-4-review-1235933955/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630173338/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/despicable-me-4-review-1235933955/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] commented: "Should a review of a 'Despicable Me' movie be a thoughtful analysis or just a list of the funny stuff the Minions do in it? As much as I might believe in the value of film criticism, I kind of suspect that even the finest points of assessment would be dismantled about as fast as a Minion can say 'Bello!{{'"}}<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Review: More Minion mayhem in 'Despicable Me 4' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/review-minion-mayhem-despicable-4-111524744 |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{Official website|https://www.despicable.me}} * {{IMDb title|7510222}} * {{Mojo title}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}} {{Navboxes |title = ''Despicable Me 4'' |list1 = {{Despicable Me}} {{Chris Renaud}} {{Mike White}} {{Illumination (company)}} {{Universal theatrical animated features}}}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|Film|United States|Cartoon|Animation|Comedy|Speculative fiction|2020s}} [[Category:Despicable Me]] [[Category:2020s adventure comedy films]] [[Category:2020s American animated films]] [[Category:2020s animated superhero films]] [[Category:2020s children's adventure films]] [[Category:2020s English-language films]] [[Category:2024 superhero films]] [[Category:2024 3D films]] [[Category:2024 computer-animated films]] [[Category:3D animated films]] [[Category:4DX films]] [[Category:American 3D films]] [[Category:American adventure comedy films]] [[Category:American children's animated comedy films]] [[Category:American children's animated superhero films]] [[Category:American computer-animated films]] [[Category:American sequel films]] [[Category:Animated films about badgers]] [[Category:Animated films about cockroaches]] [[Category:American animated films about revenge]] [[Category:Animated films set in castles]] [[Category:Animated superhero comedy films]] [[Category:Animated films impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic]] [[Category:English-language adventure comedy films]] [[Category:Films about babies]] [[Category:Films about class reunions]] [[Category:Films directed by Chris Renaud]] [[Category:Films produced by Chris Meledandri]] [[Category:Films scored by Heitor Pereira]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by Mike White (filmmaker)]] [[Category:Illumination (company) animated films]] [[Category:IMAX films]] [[Category:ScreenX films]] [[Category:Tennis films]] [[Category:Universal Pictures animated films]] [[Category:Universal Pictures films]]'