GRU-ING PAINS!
STEVE Carell never expected Despicable Me to be a success.
It is probably why the Bafta, Emmy and Academy Awardnominated actor – who voices reformed supervillain Gru in the hit animated franchise – admits that in the 12 years since his character’s inception, he’s never once felt the need to ponder the character’s back story.
“It’s something I never gave a second thought to until this film,” confesses the 59-year-old American, raising his eyebrows.
We are chatting ahead of the release of the latest Despicable Me instalment – Minions: The Rise of Gru. A pair of dark, plastic framed spectacles resting on the bridge of his nose, Steve’s considered demeanour, combined with his softly spoken tone, has an undeniably calming effect on those in the room.
“When we started I don’t think any of us thought there would be more than one [film]. I don’t think any of us were thinking of an origin story or character development on that level, it was just a fun character,” he shrugs.
The Foxcatcher actor’s soft Massachusetts twang is a far cry from Gru’s eastern European drawl. An accent Steve once described as “a mix of Ricardo Montalban and Bela Lugosi”, the voice is one of the franchise’s most instantly recognisable trademarks, blending squeaky inflections with a sense of comedic charm. This time around, though, change is afoot.
Minions: The Rise Of Gru turns back the clock to explore the childhood of an 11-and-three-quarteryear-old Felonious Gru.
The action focuses on a character whose well-documented issues as an adult stem from an unfulfilled desire to gain the approval of his mother Marlena (voiced by Julie Andrews).
Stepping into the notably smaller shoes of a pre-pubescent Gru, Steve explains that the voice this time around is “a little bit different” – primarily due to its higher pitch. Exuding a boisterous sense of optimism, this younger vision of Gru bristles with naivety. Untainted by the disappointments, trials and tribulations of adult life, the overriding sense of optimism – even in the face of danger, is one that permeates the film.
“Little kids are so full of life. And they’re very earnest – at least, that’s the way I saw little Gru,” says Steve, who is best known for playing Michael Scott in the US version of The Office.
“He wants to be a part of something. The world is very fresh in his eyes. But as Gru gets older, he’s still a really sweet guy, but he builds up this crusty exterior and pushes the whole idea away from him being nice or sweet or gentle or loving.”
From animation studio Illumination Entertainment, Minions: The
Rise of Gru is the fifth release in the Despicable Me franchise.
Despicable Me 4 is set for release in July 2024. And it is hardly surprising when you consider the takings for the series over the years. Despicable Me topped the UK box office charts in 2010, taking £3.6m in ticket sales during its opening week and subsequent films have dwarfed that figure.
Despicable Me 2 went on to become the highest-grossing film of 2013 in the
UK, raking in £42.67 million at the box office, but it was Minions that smashed animated box office records, going on to become the fifth highest-grossing animated film of all-time behind The Lion King, two Frozen films and The Incredibles 2.
“I love the minions!” enthuses Steve midinterview, as if hit by a wave of childlike exuberance.
“I think they are these miniature personifications of joy, kindness and silliness.”
It’s this sense of
energy the franchise is built upon. Having grown into a cultural phenomenon, the marketability of the adorable yellow, dungaree-clad army is undeniable.
Minions: The Rise Of Gru is set to continue the world domination, serving up laughter for parents and children alike.
Taking audiences back to an era characterised by bell-bottom trousers and the rise of disco, the film celebrates the very best of the 1970s. With Gru’s supervillain aspirations already making themselves known, the youngster replies to a recruitment advert for supervillain collective the Vicious 6 – whom Gru worships and adores.
This group of supervillains are as intimidating as they come.
A vacancy has appeared in their line up following the betrayal of Belle Bottom (voiced by Taraji P Henson) – the ruthless disco queen chose to banish their veteran member Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin) in order to gain possession of a magical amulet. As you might expect, herein lies the centre point of the film, as Gru attempts to catch the villains’ attention and prove he’s anything but an average boy.
“It’s something I’ve always liked about the Despicable Me series,” Steve offers. “There’s a little bit of an edge to it, which I think kids appreciate – but they don’t go overboard. There’s a little bit more for kids to chew on, which I like.”
Operating from the basement of San Francisco record store Criminal Records, Gru’s adventure takes in the sights and the sounds of the decade.
It’s an era Steve looks back on with fondness.
“There are some very funny jokes that are based on living in the 70s – which of course I did! I was a kid during that exact period of time,” smiles the actor.
“I used a rotary phone – and the fact that it takes so long to dial a number on a rotary phone, it’s just a great [moment] in the movie. I had a turntable with vinyl. And record stores were a really specific thing – the styles were a very specific thing back then. So I think parents are going to enjoy that element of the story, because it’s really nostalgic.”
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU SEES THE PINT-SIZED VILLAIN STRUGGLING TO WIN THE RESPECT OF OLDER BADDIES. DANIELLE DE WOLFE SITS DOWN WITH STAR STEVE CARELL TO TALK 70S NOSTALGIA AND THE FRANCHISE’S SURPRISE POPULARITY
I love the minions! I think they are these miniature personifications of joy, kindness and silliness.
Minions: The Rise Of Gru is in cinemas from Friday