Despicable Me Director Addresses Making a Live-Action Minions Movie: “God, I Hope Not”

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As a long-time gamer and animation enthusiast, I find myself deeply appreciative of the unique charm that animated films possess – a quality that often gets lost in live-action adaptations. The Minions, with their quirky humor and unparalleled antics, are no exception to this rule.

It’s quite common nowadays for popular animated movies to be adapted into live-action films. Disney has done this with several of their classic animations, such as Snow White, Lilo & Stitch, and Moana, which they are currently developing. However, when it comes to the famous Minions from the Despicable Me series, director Chris Renaud is firmly against the idea. In an interview with Film Hounds (via Variety), he was asked if he would like to see the Minions transition into live-action and his response was a clear “I hope not.”

Renaud replied, “I certainly hope not. I wasn’t part of such discussions. For me, the world is characterized by its dynamism and the freedom it affords us to do as we please within certain limits. It’s like confining a minion in a vending machine or exploding Gru when he attacks Vector – these are playful concepts reminiscent of classic cartoons, such as those featuring Bugs Bunny.”

He stated, “A live-action adaptation turns it into something entirely new, which I find unappealing on a personal level. However, unexpected things might occur, but that’s just my personal opinion.”

Pixar’s Pete Docter Isn’t Interested in Live-Action Adaptations

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m not alone in believing that some tales are best told through animation. Just recently, Pixar’s Pete Doctor expressed similar thoughts when he dismissed the notion of a live-action Ratatouille – and it’s not always straightforward to transform animated worlds into live-action settings.

“I must confess, it slightly irks me, but here goes: I prefer creating distinct and innovative films. The idea of remaking it doesn’t hold much appeal for me on a personal level.”

When discussing the idea of creating a live-action rat that is adorable, Doctor mentioned, “It would be quite challenging. A significant part of what we produce works due to the laws of the animated realm. Therefore, if a human were to enter a floating house in a real-life scenario, our minds might question it, thinking ‘Hold on, houses are heavy, how can balloons lift the house?’ However, if it’s an animated character and he stands there in the house, we tend to suspend disbelief.” The concepts we’ve developed don’t easily transfer over to real-world settings.

Minions 3 is Coming in 2027

It was confirmed in July that Minions 3 is indeed being developed. This upcoming sequel is slated for release on June 30, 2027. Bryan Lynch (known for Minions and Big Helium Dog) will write the script, while Pierre Coffin, an Oscar nominee and director of the first three Despicable Me movies and Minions, will direct. Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, and Bill Ryan will produce the film.

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2024-08-18 08:09