‘Despicable Me 4’ Kicks Off Universal’s 2024 CinemaCon With Gru’s Honey Badger Heist

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CinemaCon attendees got an extended clip from Illumination’s Despicable Me 4 at Universal’s presentation Wednesday in Las Vegas.

In it, Gru (Steve Carell) teams with the villainess Poppy (Joey King) to steal a honey badger from a castle/private school. Two Minions and Gru’s baby son Junior are in tow.

Calamity ensues as the honey badger awakes and creates havoc, with Gru getting hit in the butt with a tranquilizer shot. Illumination Boss Chris Meledandri introduced the clip today at the Caesars Colosseum, thanking exhibitors for the sleeper success of his animation studio’s Migration ($293 million in box office). “In case of any doubt, our commitment to produce original animation film remains steadfast,” said Meledandri. RELATED: CinemaCon 2024 Photos: Henry Cavill, Halle Berry, Michael Keaton, Kevin Costner, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & More This latest Despicable Me installment in the multibillion-dollar grossing franchise hits domestic theaters on July 5.

Following the 2022 summer blockbuster of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the animated franchise now begins a new chapter as Gru and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) and their girls — Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan) — welcome a new member to the Gru family: Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.