Despicable Me 4 is hitting theaters in July 2024, and the Illumination sequel is copying a genius move that Pixar already used for its $1.2 billion box office hit. Although the franchise’s Minions have appeared on the big screen as recently as 2022, Despicable Me 4 will mark the first direct sequel to Gru’s story since 2017. Between the series’ time away and the coming sequel’s original narrative, Despicable Me 4 is almost guaranteed to bring the franchise over the $5 billion line.
One genius move may help it in that endeavor, as a similar approach worked for a Pixar film that crossed the $1 billion mark during its time in theaters. The trailer for Despicable Me 4 teases the plot of the upcoming sequel, and one major element mirrors Pixar’s highest-grossing movie. That’s a promising development for Gru’s next adventure, and it’s a genius move on the part of the filmmakers.
Despicable Me 4’s Baby Seems Awfully Similar To Jack-Jack In Incredibles 2
Despicable Me 4 will show Gru’s life with a new addition to his family, and the baby in question seems awfully similar to Jack-Jack from The Incredibles 2. The Despicable Me 4 trailer shows Gru struggling to get along with his son, whose facial expressions suggest he’s more interested in his mother and sisters than his father. When Gru embarks on a new mission, he tries to teach Gru Jr. his nefarious ways. This setup alone is poised for hilarity and heartfelt antics, but the baby element of the story also bodes well given the massive success of The Incredibles 2.
While Gru Jr. doesn’t have superpowers, he seems to play a major role in Despicable Me 4, similar to Jack-Jack in The Incredibles 2. Joining Gru on missions suggests he’ll eventually take up the family’s mantle. And if this isn’t enough to prove Despicable Me 4 is capitalizing on the genius that made The Incredibles 2 a success, the trailer shows Gru Jr. interacting with a skunk — a scene that mirrors a moment between Jack-Jack and a raccoon in The Incredibles sequel (via Reddit). Introducing a baby is clearly a smart approach, and this new character will likely increase interest and merch sales.
Despicable Me 4 Can’t Repeat Incredibles 2’s Bob Mistake With Gru Now
While Despicable Me 4 is smart to use Gru Jr. in the same way The Incredibles 2 utilized Jack-Jack, the Illumination sequel must avoid making the Pixar movie’s Bob mistake with Gru. The Incredibles sequel paints Bob in a somewhat negative light, suggesting he’s not the best father to Jack-Jack. Despicable Me 4 shouldn’t do this with Gru. Instead, it should have him be a good dad, even if his kid doesn’t know or like him just yet. This will keep Gru a relatable lead while also making good use of his new family dynamic. Both will set Despicable Me 4 up for success.
Despicable Me 4
The infamous (and kind-hearted) not-super villain Gru returns in Despicable Me 4, the fourth entry in the long-running movie series from Illumination Entertainment. The fourth film also sees the return of Gru’s wife, Lucy, portrayed again by Kristin Wiig.
- Director
- Chris Renaud , Patrick Delage
- Cast
- Steve Carell , Kristen Wiig , Miranda Cosgrove , Steve Coogan , Pierre Coffin
- Writers
- Mike White
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures , Illumination Entertainment
