The prospect of a live-action version of the Minions movie might not sit well with you, and you’re not alone in this sentiment.
Chris Renaud, the director of the first, second, and fourth installments of the Despicable Me series, has outrightly dismissed the idea of giving the playful, banana-loving sidekicks a live-action makeover.
In a candid conversation with Film Hounds, when asked if there was any chance of Illumination and Universal considering a live-action spin to the franchise, Renaud responded with a resounding, “God, I hope not. That’s my answer.”
While studios like Disney have been successful in revamping animated classics into live-action films, such as The Lion King and Aladdin in 2019, Beauty and the Beast in 2017, and Alice in Wonderland in 2010, each grossing over $1 billion at the box office. They also have upcoming films like Mufasa: The Lion King and a live-action Moana in the pipeline, hoping to replicate the same success.
Renaud shared, “I mean if there were discussions [about live-action remakes], I haven’t been part of them. But for me, the world of these characters is defined by its animation, and it allows us to pull off the things we do,” Renaud said. “Like trapping a minion in a vending machine or having Gru explode when he confronts Vector [voiced by Jason Segel]. These are pure cartoon ideas, akin to something you’d see in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.”
Chris Renaud at the premiere of The Secret Life Of Pets 2 on June 2, 2019, in Westwood, California. (Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Since its inception in 2010, the family-friendly Despicable Me series has raked in a whopping $5.3 billion, surpassing other cinematic giants like Transformers and Avatar. This makes it the highest-grossing animated franchise globally.
Renaud concluded, “I believe turning it into a live-action film would completely change its essence. Personally, I don’t find the idea appealing. But again, the future is unpredictable, and anything can happen. However, that’s my personal take on it.”
Credit: deadline.com
