Key Highlights
- Collider’s Steve Weintraub interviews Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri about Minions & Monsters.
- Meledandri shares insights on the Minions’ journey and future projects ahead of the film’s premiere at Annecy.
- Upcoming films include Sing 3, The Secret Life of Pets 3, and a collaboration with Mattel for an animated Barbie movie.
More than a decade ago, Illumination launched with <em>Despicable Me</em>, the company’s first feature film that would establish them as a serious contender for Disney and Pixar in the realm of animation. The movie was powered by an all-star voice cast and helmed by Academy Award nominees Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, two names who would remain at the forefront of Illumination’s slate of films, and introduced audiences to the mischievous little henchmen now known globally as the Minions. This year, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri is proud to present Minions & Monsters, the third of these rascals’ standalone movies and the seventh in the entire Despicable Me universe, which will be celebrating its world premiere at the Annecy International Film Festival: “the single best place in the world to screen an animated film,” Meledandri tells Collider’s Steve Weintraub.
For Minions & Monsters, Coffin is joined by co-director Patrick Delage (Despicable Me 4) and co-writer Brian Lynch (Minions) to reintroduce these rambunctious fan-favorite creatures in a sort of love letter to Old Hollywood, packed with exciting surprises for audiences. This 100% true story regales us with all the details of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, soared to celebrity status as movie stars, lost it all, and unleashed monsters onto the world. Cue the hero arc, when the Minions inevitably band together to save the world from the mayhem they created. The Minions & Monsters voice cast includes Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Trey Parker, and so many more.
Before the Minions’ world debut at Annecy, don’t miss Collider’s in-depth conversation with Meledandri, covering all the most exciting up-and-coming projects from Illumination’s roster. Meledandri, founder and CEO of the animation company, shares updates for all of Illumination’s most anticipated movies, from sequels to original IP in the works. He talks about the status of Sing 3 and The Secret Life of Pets 3, their collaboration with Mattel on an animated Barbie movie, the potential for a solo Starfox movie after The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s epic box office success, and more. For all this and more, check out the full conversation below!
‘Sing 3’ and ‘The Secret Life of Pets 3’ Are on the Way, But Illumination’s Next Movie Is an Original
“These are clearly two movies that not only do I love, but the filmmakers love them.”
COLLIDER: Congrats on Minions & Monsters. It really is a love letter to Old Hollywood. What does it mean to you to have the film’s world premiere at Annecy?
CHRIS MELEDANDRI: It is the single best place in the world to screen an animated film, and when we’re opening night, it’s even more special. It is the greatest collection of animation fans and animators, and there’s no audience who understands the artistry of what’s been created in a movie like Minions & Monsters like the group of fans and animators at Annecy. It is the single coolest place to screen an animated movie in the world.
It’s going to be interesting. I know the energy there, and it’s pretty crazy. It’s fantastic to see animated movies there.
MELEDANDRI: Yes, it’s great energy. That audience really appreciates films in a way that is hard to find in any other audience in the world because of just their knowledge of animation. So, they’re excited, we’re excited. It’s just an absolute thrill after spending years making a movie to see the response. It is the single greatest audience in the world to screen an animated film, and I’m absolutely confident we’re going to just have a thrilling opening night.
I am very confident you are going to have a very, very good night.I love the movie Wreck-It Ralph, which is not yours, but I love the movie, and it’s because of how many characters are in the film. Have you ever discussed making an Illumination movie where all the characters are somehow in the same movie?
MELEDANDRI: We haven’t. Other than a passing notion, we’ve never actually sat down to work on that idea. I find it quite daunting. Perhaps it’s something that we’ll look at later on, and somebody might have a great idea about how to do it in a manner that would be organic. My fear, just on concept, would be finding a way not to feel trapped in the artifice of the concept. And all the more credit to Wreck-It Ralph for figuring that out.
What is the status of another Sing movie and The Secret Life of Pets?
MELEDANDRI: Well, these are clearly two movies that not only do I love but also that filmmakers love them. The studio loves them. We have been working on both. They’re both, I would say, in active development. It took us a while to come back to Pets, waiting for an idea that we felt really would earn its place rather than simply just making another Pets movie. I think we found a way into a Secret Life of Pets story that I certainly love. We’re working with Chris Renaud, who not only was co-director of Despicable Me with Pierre Coffin but also was original director of Pets. So we are well underway working hard on an idea that I’m hoping we’ll make soon.
What do you want to tell people about where you’re at with
Sing 3?
MELEDANDRI: Garth Jennings, who was writer-director of previous Sing movies is focusing all his energy right now with team at Illumination developing what I believe is going to be Sing movie that honors what we all love about film but also introduces some entirely new ideas into story.
So both Sing and Pets are getting tremendous amount attention inside studio and I expect we’ll have some announcements make about both them relatively soon.
Right now it’s 2026.
Barbie Is Making a Movie Comeback Thanks to Illumination
Greta Gerwig’s live-action movie shattered box office records.
I read that you guys are talking to Mattel about a Barbie movie.
MELEDANDRI: It is true and we’re working very closely with Mattel.
For us and Mattel first threshold we needed get past was belief we could do something utterly distinct from live-action movie which I really liked lot obviously audiences liked lot.
So it was really important for us that we found way through story could set us completely apart from that film no way make it feel like we were trying kind squeeze into terrain they beautifully establish in that movie.
I think we found way in so we’re working hard on that but until we dig deeper won’t know for sure.
Do you have filmmaker on it or is it all still being figured out?
MELEDANDRI: We don’t yet have filmmaker on it we’re collaborating with outside just Illumination Mattel development ecosystem.
We’ve yet put filmmaker still story definition phases.
What’s Next for Mario, Star Fox, and Nintendo on the Big Screen?
“There’s tremendous goodwill on both sides to continue exploring things.”
The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie both made over $1 billion.
MELEDANDRI: I can’t tell you when we’d announce next one because I don’t know when we’re going announce next one.
But look this collaboration Nintendo something that’s become very important part Illumination so idea we’ll continue work together something we’re very excited about.
I know third one is coming.
MELEDANDRI: Listen whole idea crossing IP between Nintendo properties something along Shigeru Miyamoto explored tremendous amount conversation ultimately take our cues Miyamoto-san if he believes can work then develop courage our convictions about idea.
So this something he really did sense could work we thrilled see positive response from it where will lead future not something can say this time.
Are you discussing other Nintendo IP that Illumination will hopefully bring life?
MELEDANDRI: I have lot conversations Nintendo not only as their partner making movies but also my role their board so I’m discussions Nintendo time every facet their business virtue this very privileged position share them board.
All can say clearly collaboration working so there’s tremendous goodwill both sides continue exploring things.
I know you have be careful Nintendo.
Chris Meledandri Also Shares His Thoughts on ‘Shrek 5’ and Netflix’s Long-Delayed ‘Dragon’s Lair’ Movie
DreamWorks just shared a new trailer for the long-awaited sequel.
You’re producing Shrek 5.
MELEDANDRI: Yes my relationship with Shrek franchise very specific that role I don’t take same role creative responsibility I do with Illumination films view myself more consultant they have tremendous team over there led by Margie Cohn there’s amazing team making Shrek 5 so I’m thrilled be part it it’s been really exciting me watch how another studio makes films other than just Illumination or going back my previous days Fox working Blue Sky then even earlier Don Bluth every time get see how animation process works learning so this experience Shrek played similar role most recent Puss Boots movie well something really enjoy love fact it’s very different my relationship with Illumination films.
I mentioned Don Bluth love Don Bluth.
I know Netflix has rights Dragon’s Lair think they’re still development it but how has taken this long Dragon’s Lair Space Ace adapted into another medium?
MELEDANDRI: I just look back when first started talking adaptation Super Mario into movie obviously there had been ton video game adaptations but more perceived challenging adapt video game into movie than obvious so think video games general looking backwards were facing headwinds but those early games Don’s occupy such special place minds people today adore movies think would really cool thing see Dragon’s Lair developed into film.
Why the Minions Are Integral to Illumination’s Past, Present, and Future
“I just felt like, ‘Oh my God, there’s something here that is just so appealing.'”
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Date de sortie:
24 juin 2026
- Duree:
90 minutes
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