George Lucas has a Voice Role in ‘Minions & Monsters’ after Illumination founder Chris Meledandri shared how a chance meeting and shared admiration for the Despicable Me universe led to the legendary filmmaker joining the upcoming animated film.
Speaking to Collider, Meledandri explained that Lucas’s enthusiasm for Illumination films sparked the collaboration.
“I had this privilege of meeting George about two years ago, and what led to my meeting him is how much he loves Illumination movies, and specifically ‘Despicable Me,’ and even more specifically, the Minions,” Meledandri said.
The studio executive added that Lucas’s reputation within the company made the moment especially meaningful.
“It was such a thrill to learn that and then to share it with the team, because obviously he’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.”
Meledandri said the idea of casting Lucas came naturally during story development discussions.
“An idea for a character came up out of the story, and so I said to Pierre [Coffin], who co-wrote the movie with Brian Lynch, and Bill Ryan, who produces with me on the film, and I just said, ‘Well, what if we could get George?’ And they’re like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I had no idea, but I got such a fast yes.”
He also revealed Lucas is already interested in returning.
“I saw him recently,” Meledandri recalled, “and he’s already talking to me about the role he wants to do next in the next Minions movie. So, it’s pretty incredible.”
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Patrick Delage, Minions & Monsters follows the Minions filming a monster movie in 1920s Hollywood. The cast includes Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, Jeff Bridges, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, and Trey Parker.
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