‘The powers are a little wacky’: Despicable Me 4 director reveals how Fantastic Four inspired new Mega Minions

Minions get an upgrade in Despicable Me 4!

While the franchise will tell the story of Gru’s journey from villain to member of the Anti-Villain League to stop crime, the Minions will remain the heart of these films! The film’s director spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the update they gave to the yellow caricatures and how it was inspired by the Fantastic Four!

Why are the mega Minions from Despicable Me 4 inspired by the Fantastic Four?

Despicable Me is one of the most beloved franchises, so when it came to Season 4, co-directors Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage knew they had to pull out all the stops! The Minions were first introduced as cheerful, idiosyncratic yellow creatures who were Gru’s loyal servants.

The fourth installment introduced the giant Minions, Minions with superhero powers. But that’s not all. According to Renaud, their powers are inspired by a famous superhero franchise: the Fantastic Four.

He thought the franchise’s powers were “wacky” in a way and perfectly suited to the characters. “The Invisible Woman, the fire guy, the rock guy, there’s something special about it. It works really well as a comic book,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “But the visual and graphic sensibility of those powers really lent itself to the Minions.”

He also revealed that they relied on each Minion’s physique to develop their superpowers. The stretching ability is given to Tim, who is “our big guy.” Mel, the Minion, with a scope, can shoot laser beams because it makes sense for the character.

“So we looked at ways that even certain aspects of a normal minion’s design could lead to what their superpower might be,” he added.

What’s next for Gru and his family in the fourth sequel?

The fourth installment of the series was a success in every way! Gru (Steve Carell), his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) and his adopted daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Skyy Polan) along with their new baby Gru Jr. live in a safe house in the new upscale neighborhood of Mayflower.

But things don’t always go well for the former villain and Anti-Villain League agent, as a new enemy threatens. Max the Evil, who Gru arrested while working for AVl, is out of prison and seeking revenge.

Silas Ramsbottom has returned from retirement to help Gru and Lucy fight Maximus. Meanwhile, the Minions gain superpowers while working for the AVL under Ramsbottom’s leadership. Will the team emerge victorious again, or is the threat too dangerous this time?

You can get all the answers in Despicable Me 4, out in theaters now.