'Minions 2: The Rise of Gru' Arrives Next Summer

I am a grown-ass man who loves the Minions. I can’t help it. Sure, they’re overdone. They get attached to every random meme and Facebook post that once upon a time a secretary would have group-emailed the entire office, probably with “TGIF!” in the subject line. They’re still great. As with most children’s entertainment the original Despicable Me remains the best, though the sequels are decent family fun with solid messaging and enough slapstick comedy to keep easily distracted children — and their fathers — entertained.

Originally intended for a summer 2020 release, Minions 2: The Rise of Gru was delayed until summer 2021, and then again until summer 2022. I forget why. Probably studio shenanigans. Anyway, Universal has released another trailer to whet our appetites while their Vodun priests, Wiccan druids, and evangelical snake handlers pray to their respective deities that society survives long enough to rake in some serious cash.

Long story short, young Gru wants to join a top-level team of villains only to be dismissed out of hand until he steals their precious MacGuffin. The Minions, of course, fail to complete the mission, and hijinks ensue. No doubt by the end Gru has learned a valuable lesson about friendship and not leaving integral parts of one’s scheme up to a bunch of sapient yellow butt-plugs.

Minions 2: The Rise of Gru is in theaters July 1, 2022. Maybe.