Here’s an interesting turn of events. Despicable Me 2 hasn’t reached theaters yet, but Universal Pictures is already gearing up for a spinoff film starring the yellow, goggle-sporting minions.
According to Deadline, Mad Men star and all-around versatile performer Jon Hamm will lend his voice to a character in the rapidly-developing Minions movie, which is targeting a December 19, 2014 release date. The trade notes that Hamm will “star” alongside Sandra Bullock, who was added to the voice cast earlier this year.
The source also has some new details about the plot. The premise used to establish Minions explains that the henchmen have been around for decades, and this story picks up in the 1960s, long before they teamed with Steve Carell’s Gru. Without a true evil leader to follow, three depressed minions go in search of a “gig,” and end up serving Scarlet Overkill (Bullock), a “stylish, bad-ass super villain.” Hamm, meanwhile, will voice Scarlet’s husband, Herb Overkill, an inventor.
I’m on the fence when it comes to Minions. It’s good news that Universal feels there’s franchise potential in the series, and it probably means that Despicable Me 2 is very good if the studio’s willing to expand the brand. Obviously, the sequel due in theaters in July isn’t going to poison the well, so to speak.
But when I hear that there will be a Minions spinoff, I view it as a possible Scrat spinoff from the Ice Age series. Do I like Scrat? Sure. Do I want him to have his own movie? No. Maybe the minions will have more to do. We shall see.
