Despicable Me 4 Trailer Released

Illumination don't have the critical plaudits or awards recognition that other big animation studios do. But audiences can't get enough of their films. In the wake of the massive success last year of The Super Mario Bros Movie, the studio is returning to the franchise that made its name with the upcoming Despicable Me 4. Illumination and Universal have unveiled the first trailer and the new and returning voice cast.

Seven years since the last Despicable Me film, Gru and his family return for a new chapter. This time around there is a new addition to the family in baby Gru Jr, who is intent on torturing his hapless Dad. Meanwhile, Gru faces a new nemesis in the form of Maxime Le Mal  (voiced by Will Ferrel) and his Femme Fatale girfriend Valentina (Modern Family star Sofia Vergara) and the family is forced to go on the run.

The film features returning stars Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig, along with Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and newcomer  Madison Polan as "the gorls". Also back is British comedy icon Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom and Pierre Coffin is back to voice The Minions.

Along with Ferrell and Vergara, other additions to the cast include Joey King, Stephen Colbert and Chloe Fineman in unspecified roles.

The film is directed by franchise veteran (and co-creator of The Minions) Chris Renaud and co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director Sing 2 and The Secret Life Of Pets 2). It's prodcued by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and by Brett Hoffman (producer The Super Mario Bros Movie and Minions: The Rise Of Gru). The screenplay is written by Mike White (creator of The White Lotus and screenwriter of School Of Rock) and veteran of every Despicable Me film, Ken Daurio.

Despicable Me 4 will be released in cinemas and IMAX in the US and Canada on July 3 and in the UK and Ireland on July 5.