UNITED KINGDOM: Steve Carrell and Russell Brand at the premiere of their new 3D film Despicable Me

Record ID: 219911

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Steve Carrell and Russell Brand at the premiere of their new 3D film Despicable Me
  • Date: 18th October 2010
  • Summary: "MINIONS" DANCING RUSSELL BRAND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS CROWD BRAND POSING WITH "MINIONS"
  • Embargoed: 2nd November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA4YZJ32AIET9T1MV6ID24WVTV9
  • Story Text: Steve Carell and Russell Brand at London premiere of new 3D family film "Despicable Me"
    A dozen small yellow creatures called "minions" stole the show from their famous co-stars in London's Leicester Square on Monday evening (October 11), at the premiere of new 3D animation 'Despicable Me'.
    The 'minions', who star alongside characters voiced by Russell Brand and Steve Carell, were a hit as they danced along the yellow carpet. In the film they steal some of the limelight too.
    Speaking to Reuters, Steve Carell said his children have been imitating the minions constantly since seeing the film.
    "My son actually thought the minions were the coolest part and was disappointed to find out that I played the evil genius. He wanted me to be a minion," he said.
    Carell's character Gru is a children-hating villain who has an army of the mischievous little "minions" to help him in his evil pursuits.
    From his vast hideout disguised as a suburban home he is plotting the biggest heist in the world - to steal the moon.
    But Gru discovers that perhaps he isn't the tough-as-nails criminal he thought he was, after he encounters three orphaned girls who want nothing more than a dad.
    Russell Brand plays the voice of Dr Nefario, a bumbling old man who is both a mentor to Gru and a designer of interesting gadgets - which he doesn't always get right.
    Brand said he drew on several real-life characters for the voice which sounds nothing like his real voice.
    "I thought it would be nice for him to sound sort of like a dirty old British person. My mum had an uncle Bert once who spoke a bit like it. My mate Danny speaks a bit like it and Ray Winstone speaks a bit like it," said Brand.
    On the challenges of trying to get into character in a sound studio without a set, makeup or props, Brand told Reuters it was actually easy, saying he enjoyed playing make-believe.
    "You can just pretend. It's really really good - just like pretend you're that thing. They show you drawings of it - you think ooh I'm that thing. It's exciting, cause he's a funny looking creature - I like him," said Brand.
    An unlikely actress plays the voice of Gru's terrifying mother. Julie Andrews isn't an obvious choice for a scary old woman but she pulls it off with aplomb.
    "I like the fact that she's playing against type. It's a dark turn for her," Carell told Reuters.
    'Despicable Me' is released in the United Kingdom on Friday (October 15). It's expected to be a hit, having already performed extremely well in the U.S over the summer.
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