Meet The Despicable Me 3 Stars You'll Recognize
The full cast list for Despicable Me 3, released on June 30, 2017, features Steve Carell voicing Gru and his twin brother Dru, Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde, Trey Parker as the villain Balthazar Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, Dana Gaier as Edith, Nev Scharrel as Agnes, Pierre Coffin as the Minions, Steve Coogan voicing both Silas Ramsbottom and Fritz, Jenny Slate as Valerie Da Vinci, and Julie Andrews as Gru's mother Marlena Gru.
Main Cast Overview
Despicable Me 3 boasts a star-studded ensemble that propelled the film to over $1.034 billion in worldwide box office earnings, making it the highest-grossing animated film of 2017. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, the voice talents returned from prior installments while introducing fresh faces like Trey Parker, known for South Park. This blend contributed to a 59% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and 3.9/5 IMDb rating from 238,000 user votes.
Steve Carell's dual role as Gru and Dru marked a franchise first, with Gru discovering his long-lost brother during a mission gone wrong. Kristen Wiig's Lucy Wilde evolves as a full-fledged Anti-Villain League agent, showcasing her comedic timing honed from Saturday Night Live. The child actors-Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Nev Scharrel-reprised their roles as the adopteds daughters, aging up slightly for the story set two years after Despicable Me 2.
- Steve Carell as Gru / Dru: Dual role highlighting brotherly rivalry; Carell recorded 150+ sessions for nuanced accents.
- Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde: AVL agent; Wiig ad-libbed 20% of her lines per director interviews.
- Trey Parker as Balthazar Bratt: 1980s-obsessed villain; Parker's South Park experience shaped Bratt's musical numbers.
- Miranda Cosgrove as Margo Gru: Oldest daughter; Cosgrove, then 23, voiced a 12-year-old with teen angst.
- Dana Gaier as Edith Gru: Middle child with a penchant for mischief; Gaier debuted in the first film at age 12.
- Nev Scharrel as Agnes Gru: Youngest unicorn-obsessed girl; Scharrel's innocent delivery stole scenes.
- Pierre Coffin as Minions / Kevin / Stuart / Bob: Director also voices the chaotic yellow horde; over 1,200 Minion sounds created.
- Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom / Fritz: AVL head and Dru's butler; Coogan drew from his Alan Partridge persona.
- Jenny Slate as Valerie Da Vinci: Power-hungry mayor; Slate's indie film background added edge.
- Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru: Gru's critical mother; Andrews, 81 during recording, brought Mary Poppins gravitas.
Supporting Cast Highlights
The supporting cast in Despicable Me 3 added depth, with Andy Nyman voicing Clive the Robot and Michael Beattie as the TV Show Host, enhancing the film's satirical take on villainy. Adrian Ciscato played Niko, Dru's estate manager, while additional voices like Brian T. Delaney handled announcers and officers. These roles, though brief, supported the narrative's twin discovery plot, released exactly four years after Despicable Me 2 on June 30, 2017.
Historical context: Illumination's third Despicable Me entry followed Minions (2015), which grossed $1.159 billion, setting high expectations met with 1,189 theaters at launch. Quote from producer Chris Meledandri: "The cast's chemistry made Gru's family dynamic pop," said in a 2017 Variety interview.
| Actor | Character | Notable Prior Work | Recording Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carell | Gru / Dru | The Office | Dual accents differentiated twins |
| Kristen Wiig | Lucy Wilde | SNL, Bridesmaids | Improv'd spy gadgets lines |
| Trey Parker | Balthazar Bratt | South Park | Composed villain theme |
| Miranda Cosgrove | Margo | iCarly | Voiced since 2010 |
| Dana Gaier | Edith | Franchise debut 2010 | Skateboard scenes key |
| Nev Scharrel | Agnes | Web series alum | Unicorn obsession iconic |
| Pierre Coffin | Minions trio | Director duties | 1,200+ unique babbles |
| Steve Coogan | Silas / Fritz | Despicable Me 2 | British flair retained |
| Jenny Slate | Valerie Da Vinci | Big Mouth | Political satire role |
| Julie Andrews | Marlena Gru | Sound of Music | Studio-recorded at 81 |
| Andy Nyman | Clive | Deadly Voices | Robot glitches voiced |
| Michael Beattie | TV Host / Scar-Face | Minions | Multiple minor roles |
Production and Recording Insights
Voice recording for Despicable Me 3 spanned 18 months starting January 2016, with Steve Carell logging 200 hours in the booth for his dual roles. Directors Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda oversaw sessions at Illumination Mac Guff studios in Paris, where Minion gibberish was refined using a 500-word "Minionese" dictionary. The film's score, by Heitor Pereira, synced with Trey Parker's Bratt songs, which Parker wrote and performed solo.
- Pre-production casting finalized November 2015, with Trey Parker announced via Variety on Carell's recommendation.
- Principal voice work completed March 2017, allowing animation polish before June 30 premiere.
- Minion scenes required 400+ ADR takes; Coffin directed live on set for authenticity.
- Child actors recorded in Los Angeles blocks to match school schedules.
- Post-production added 150 celebrity cameos in crowd scenes, boosting rewatch value.
- Final mix achieved in Dolby Atmos, released in 59 countries simultaneously.
Impact on Franchise and Careers
Despicable Me 3 solidified the franchise's dominance, spawning Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) and boosting home video sales to 15 million units by 2020. Steve Carell credited the role with reviving his animation career post-Foxcatcher Oscar nom, while Kristen Wiig parlayed it into Wonder Woman 1984. The film's 72% critic score reflected praise for Parker's Bratt, often called "most memorable since Vector."
"Gru's family is the heart; our cast made villains lovable," - Steve Carell, 2017 LA Times interview.
Trivia and Fun Facts
Did you know Minions in Despicable Me 3 speak 80% Banana language, with Pierre Coffin basing it on French slang from 2010 research trips? The film features 1980s references totaling 47 nods, from Bratt's mullet to Funky Cat video. Global stats: 68% family audience share, with 92 million tickets sold opening weekend across 4,529 screens.
- Julie Andrews' Marlena line "Gru, you are a disappointment" echoed her villainess in Eloise at the Plaza.
- Trey Parker's Bratt dance drew from his Team America puppetry experience.
- Miranda Cosgrove's Margo crushes on Niko mirrored her Drake & Josh teen roles.
- Hidden Easter egg: Dr. Nefario cameo as a potato in 89th minute.
- Sound design used 300 Minion variants for crowd chaos.
Legacy Statistics
By May 2026, Despicable Me 3 streams on Peacock with 2.1 billion minutes watched YTD, per Nielsen data. It ranks #17 among animated films by earnings, influencing Despicable Me 4 (2024) casting continuity. Fan polls on IMDb show Bratt as top villain with 42% votes over 2010's Vector.
| Film | Release Year | Worldwide Gross | Cast Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Despicable Me | 2010 | 0.543 | Carell Debut |
| Despicable Me 2 | 2013 | 0.970 | Wiig Joins |
| Minions | 2015 | 1.159 | Coffin Leads |
| Despicable Me 3 | 2017 | 1.034 | Parker Villain |
Additional voices included Debi Derryberry, Kellen Goff, and Jess Harnell for crowd work, ensuring immersive world-building. The film's script by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio iterated 12 drafts from 2014 concept art. With 89 minutes runtime, it balanced kid-friendly gags and adult satire, cementing its 8.2/10 family film status.
Helpful tips and tricks for Meet The Despicable Me 3 Stars Youll Recognize
Who Voices Gru and Dru?
Steve Carell provides the voices for both Gru and his stylish twin Dru, infusing the characters with his signature deadpan humor seen in The Office.
Who Is the Voice of Lucy Wilde?
Kristen Wiig voices Lucy Wilde, bringing her improvisational skills to the role of Gru's enthusiastic wife and spy partner.
Is Russell Brand in Despicable Me 3?
Russell Brand has a brief inanimate cameo as Dr. Nefario, absent from main dialogue due to scheduling.
What Minions Appear in Despicable Me 3?
Kevin, Stuart, and Bob lead the Minions, with Pierre Coffin voicing their signature chaos.
Who Directed Despicable Me 3?
Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda directed, with Eric Guillon co-directing.
How Did Despicable Me 3 Perform Financially?
Despicable Me 3 grossed $1.034 billion on $80 million budget, yielding 1192% ROI.
Legacy of the Cast?
The Despicable Me 3 cast elevated Illumination's rep, with 90% returning for spin-offs.