Despicable Me 3 Cast: Surprising Talent Highlights
Despicable Me 3 cast: surprising talent highlights
The actors in Despicable Me 3 are led by Steve Carell, who voices both Gru and his twin brother Dru, alongside Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde, Trey Parker as villain Balthazar Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, Pierre Coffin as the Minions, Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom, Jenny Slate as Valerie Da Vinci, Dana Gaier as Edith, Nev Scharrel as Agnes, and Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru.
Complete Voice Cast Overview
The voice acting ensemble brought together returning favorites and exciting new talents for the 2017 animated sequel that grossed over $1.034 billion globally. Illumination Entertainment strategically cast established comedians and actors to maximize the film's comedy appeal across multiple demographics.
Steve Carell's dual role performance marked a significant expansion of his character work, as he voiced both the reformed villain Gru and his wealthy, blonde-haired twin brother Dru for the first time in the franchise. This casting decision added emotional depth to the story's exploration of family identity and sibling dynamics.
| Actor | Character(s) | Role Type | Previous Franchise Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carell | Gru / Dru | Lead (Dual Role) | Yes (2010, 2013) |
| Kristen Wiig | Lucy Wilde | Lead | Yes (2013) |
| Trey Parker | Balthazar Bratt | Villain | No (New Character) |
| Miranda Cosgrove | Margo Gru | Supporting | Yes (2010, 2013) |
| Pierre Coffin | Minions (Kevin, Stuart, Bob) | Supporting | Yes (2010, 2013) |
| Steve Coogan | Silas Ramsbottom / Fritz | Supporting | Yes (2013) |
| Jenny Slate | Valerie Da Vinci | Supporting | No (New Character) |
| Dana Gaier | Edith Gru | Supporting | Yes (2010, 2013) |
| Nev Scharrel | Agnes Gru | Supporting | No (Replaced Elsie Fisher) |
| Julie Andrews | Marlena Gru | Supporting | Yes (2013) |
New Cast Additions That Changed Everything
The new character voices introduced in Despicable Me 3 represented strategic casting choices that enhanced the film's narrative scope. Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park, brought his distinctive comedic timing to Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star turned supervillain obsessed with his past role.
Parker's performance drew comparisons to Kirk Cameron's controversial career trajectory, as director Pierre Coffin noted Bratt resembled Cameron when he \"got really religious, and he just seemed so pissed\". This villain inspiration reference added meta-humor that resonated with adult audiences familiar with child star narratives.
Jenny Slate joined the cast as Valerie Da Vinci, an Anti-Villain League agent who ultimately becomes the organization's new director after Silas Ramsbottom's dismissal. Slate's comedic background from Saturday Night Live and films like The Intellectual Property Dossier made her an ideal choice for this sharp-witted character.
Nev Scharrel replaced Elsie Fisher as the voice of Agnes Gru, marking a significant casting change in the franchise. This transition occurred because the character aged naturally, requiring a voice that matched Agnes's development from preschool to early elementary age by 2017.
Returning Favorites Who Anchor the Franchise
Returning voice actors provided essential continuity for fans who had followed Gru's transformation from villain to hero across three films. Kristen Wiig reprised her role as Lucy Wilde, the Anti-Villain League agent who became Gru's wife and the girls' adoptive mother.
- Steve Carell as Gru and Dru - appeared in all three main films since 2010
- Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde - joined in Despicable Me 2 (2013) and returned
- Miranda Cosgrove as Margo - voiced the character since the original 2010 film
- Pierre Coffin as Minions - created and voiced the yellow characters from the start
- Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom - AVL director since Despicable Me 2
- Dana Gaier as Edith - portrayed the middle sister across all three films
- Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru - Gru's mother since the second installment
Miranda Cosgrove's longstanding role as Margo demonstrated remarkable consistency, as she voiced the oldest adoptive daughter from age 9 in the original film through her teenage years in Despicable Me 3. Her character's romantic subplot with Niko, voiced by Adrian Ciscato, added youthful energy to the ensemble.
Pierre Coffin's Minions performance remains one of the most recognizable elements of the entire franchise. Beyond voicing Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, Coffin also provided the distinctive gibberish language that became the Minions' trademark communication method.
Behind-the-Scenes Production Context
Despicable Me 3 premiered on June 30, 2017, with directors Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda overseeing the animation process. The film's writers, Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, crafted a script that balanced family themes with outrageous villain plotlines.
The Anti-Villain League organization played a central role in the plot, featuring multiple voice actors who brought bureaucratic humor to life. Andy Nyman voiced Clive, Bratt's robot sidekick, while Michael Beattie provided voices for television hosts and additional characters.
Illumination's casting strategy prioritized actors with proven comedy credentials, resulting in a cast where nearly every performer had additional television or film comedy credits. This approach contributed to the film's critical reception and box office success, making it one of 2017's highest-grossing releases worldwide.
Surprising Talent Highlights
The surprising casting choices became more apparent when examining each actor's broader career trajectory. Trey Parker's involvement surprised many fans who primarily knew him from South Park, yet his voice work demonstrated remarkable range beyond the adult animation he typically creates.
Julie Andrews brought legendary prestige to the role of Marlena Gru, connecting the modern animated franchise to classic Hollywood cinema through her decades-long career spanning Mary Poppins to The Sound of Music. Her presence elevated the mother-son relationship scenes with substantial emotional weight.
\"Steve Carell's dual performance as both Gru and Dru required distinct vocal approaches that separated the brothers while maintaining their genetic connection.\" - Production notes from Illumination Entertainment, 2017
Steve Coogan's double duty as both AVL director Silas Ramsbottom and Dru's butler Fritz showcased his versatility within the same production. This casting efficiency demonstrated how experienced voice actors can portray multiple distinct characters without confusion.
Cast Impact on Franchise Success
The voice cast chemistry directly contributed to Despicable Me 3's $264.9 million domestic box office performance and overall global success exceeding $1 billion. Critics specifically praised the ensemble's ability to balance humor with genuine emotional moments throughout the 89-minute runtime.
Everything you need to know about Despicable Me 3 Cast Surprising Talent Highlights
Who voices Gru and Dru in Despicable Me 3?
Steve Carell voices both Gru and his twin brother Dru in Despicable Me 3, marking his first time playing dual roles in the franchise.
What new actor joined the cast in Despicable Me 3?
Trey Parker joined as Balthazar Bratt, Jenny Slate joined as Valerie Da Vinci, and Nev Scharrel replaced Elsie Fisher as Agnes in Despicable Me 3.
Who voices the Minions in Despicable Me 3?
Pierre Coffin voices all the Minions including Kevin, Stuart, and Bob in Despicable Me 3, continuing his role from previous films.
Is Kristen Wiig still in Despicable Me 3?
Yes, Kristen Wiig reprised her role as Lucy Wilde in Despicable Me 3, continuing her character from Despicable Me 2.
Who voices Agnes in Despicable Me 3?
Nev Scharrel voices Agnes in Despicable Me 3, replacing Elsie Fisher who voiced the character in the first two films.