The Ultimate Guide To Despicable Me 4 Characters: Meet Gru Jr., The New Villain, And The Mega Minions!

The Despicable Me universe is expanding! The highly anticipated animated comedy, Despicable Me 4, is set to hit theaters on July 3, 2024, and it's bringing a whole new level of chaos, charm, and, most importantly, new characters to the big screen. This latest installment sees Gru, the reformed supervillain turned Anti-Villain League (AVL) agent, facing his greatest challenge yet: parenthood with a new baby and a vengeful new nemesis. This guide breaks down every key character, from the returning favorites to the fresh faces ready to shake up Gru's life.

As of December 18, 2025, the official trailers and announcements have confirmed a star-studded new cast and exciting character developments. The film's plot centers on Gru and his family, now including a new baby, having to go on the run and relocate to a safe house after a dangerous escape from the main antagonist. Get ready to meet the newest members of the Gru household and the formidable villains they must evade.

Complete Character Roster and Voice Cast for Despicable Me 4

The core of the Despicable Me franchise has always been its beloved characters, and the fourth movie ensures the return of every key family member while introducing a host of compelling new entities. The cast is packed with Hollywood heavyweights, both returning and new.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Gru (Voiced by Steve Carell): The central figure, a former supervillain who is now a super-spy agent for the AVL. His life is complicated by the arrival of his new son and the return of an old rival.
• Lucy Wilde (Voiced by Kristen Wiig): Gru's wife and a fellow AVL agent. She is now a mother of four, balancing her spy duties with a chaotic home life.
• Margo (Voiced by Miranda Cosgrove): The eldest of Gru's adopted daughters, known for her responsible and mature nature.
• Edith (Voiced by Dana Gaier): The middle daughter, an adventurous and mischievous tomboy.
• Agnes (Voiced by Madison Polan): The youngest daughter, known for her intense love of unicorns and sweet innocence.
• The Minions (Voiced by Pierre Coffin): Gru's loyal, yellow, and gibberish-speaking henchmen. They are back in full force, and this time, some of them are getting a massive upgrade.
• Silas Ramsbottom (Voiced by Steve Coogan): The former head of the Anti-Villain League.
• Dr. Nefario (Voiced by Russell Brand): Gru's eccentric, hard-of-hearing scientist.

The New Faces: Villains and Allies

The latest installment introduces several pivotal new characters who drive the main conflict and inject fresh energy into the series. These additions are crucial to the plot, as they force Gru and his family to adapt and go into hiding.

1. Gru Jr. (The New Baby)

Role: The newest member of the Gru family, the biological son of Gru and Lucy.

Details: Gru Jr. is a major highlight of the new footage. The plot heavily focuses on Gru’s struggle to bond with his new baby, who, according to the trailer, doesn't seem to like his father very much. This dynamic adds a layer of hilarious and heartfelt family chaos to the super-spy action. Gru Jr. is a tiny character with a big impact on the family's dynamic and the overall narrative.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

2. Maxime Le Mal (The Main Villain)

Voiced by: Will Ferrell

Role: The primary antagonist and Gru's old rival from their supervillain days.

Details: Maxime Le Mal is a vengeful and dangerous nemesis who escapes from prison and is seeking revenge on Gru. His return forces Gru, Lucy, and their children to abandon their home and enter the AVL's Witness Protection Program, relocating to a highly secure safe house. Will Ferrell's comedic genius is expected to bring a fresh, unique flavor to the franchise's villain roster.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

3. Poppy Prescott

Voiced by: Joey King

Role: A new, significant character who is introduced as a potential ally or a new challenge for the family.

Details: Poppy Prescott is one of the key new characters joining the ensemble. While her exact role is still shrouded in some mystery, Joey King's involvement suggests a substantial part in the storyline, possibly as a young, aspiring villain or a new friend to Gru's daughters.

4. Valentina

Voiced by: Sofía Vergara

Role: A new character, details of which are currently limited, but is expected to be part of Maxime Le Mal's circle or a new element in the AVL's world.

Details: Sofía Vergara's casting is a major addition to the franchise. Her character, Valentina, is likely to be a vibrant and memorable figure, perhaps a partner-in-crime to Maxime Le Mal or another super-spy agent with a unique personality.

5. Other New Voices

The cast also includes comedy heavyweights Stephen Colbert and Chloe Fineman in as-yet-unnamed roles. Their presence guarantees more comedic depth and new, intriguing characters that will interact with Gru's family during their time in the safe house and their mission to stop Maxime Le Mal.

The Minions Get a Mega Upgrade: The Mega Minions

No Despicable Me movie would be complete without the Minions, but Despicable Me 4 is taking them to an unprecedented level. The trailers have revealed the introduction of the Mega Minions.

What are Mega Minions? Through an experimental process, a select group of Minions—including some of Gru's go-to guys like Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—are transformed. They gain incredible, almost superhero-like powers, turning them from adorable, gibberish-speaking sidekicks into powerful, super-sized assets for the AVL. This transformation promises some of the biggest action sequences and most hilarious gags in the franchise's history, as the Minions struggle to control their newfound abilities.

The Mega Minions concept is a brilliant way to keep the franchise fresh and utilize the most popular characters in a new, exciting context. Their involvement will be key to Gru's efforts to protect his family from Maxime Le Mal.

The Central Conflict: Family, Fear, and the Future of Gru

The inclusion of Gru Jr. and the threat of Maxime Le Mal fundamentally shifts the stakes for Gru. The central plot revolves around Gru's desperate attempts to protect his family from his old, dangerous rival.

The move to a safe house, a witness protection scenario, and the need for new allies like Poppy Prescott all point to a high-stakes, action-packed narrative. The film will explore the themes of family protection, the challenges of new parenthood, and the difficulty of truly escaping one's past. Gru's journey from a reformed supervillain to a father of four and a dedicated agent is the heart of the Illumination franchise, and Despicable Me 4 promises to be the most intense chapter yet in this evolution.

With an expanded family, a powerful new nemesis, and the introduction of the super-powered Mega Minions, Despicable Me 4 is set to be a massive cinematic event. Fans are eagerly anticipating the comedic genius of Steve Carell and Will Ferrell facing off, and the adorable, chaotic energy of Gru Jr. and the rest of Gru's daughters as they navigate life on the run.