How Despicable Me's Minions took over the world

It is largely thanks to the Minions that the 'Despicable Me' franchise is on its way to being one of the most successful in animation history. The second movie is the biggest movie in the history of Universal Studios – with its near $1 billion box office take beating 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial', 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jaws'. But how did it all happen?

Unknown studio...

No one had heard of Illumination Entertainment before 2010. It was no Pixar or DreamWorks, that's for sure. It was set up in 2007 by Chris Meledandri, who had overseen films including 'Ice Age', 'Robots', 'Alvin And The Chipmunks' and 'Horton Wears A Who!' as President of 20th Century Fox Animation, all serious money-spinners. But despite it being Illuminations first film, 'Despicable Me' was a smash, earning $56 million in its opening weekend, before going on to make $543 million in all.

Universal language...

Animation always has international appeal. It can be easily dubbed into different languages to appeal to different territories. This notion is exaccerbated by the fact that the brilliantly slapstick Minions don't speak English in the first place... even in the English version of the film. As if to compound this fact, 'Despicable Me 2' went to number one in a staggering 67 territories, setting first weekend records in Latin America, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Venezeula and Lebanon.

Franchising...

Franchises (as well as remakes) have been a boon for the increasingly risk-averse Hollywood system. Massively successful animation series such as 'Ice Age', 'Madagascar' and 'Toy Story' had already become huge cash cows for their respective studios, and those films paved the way for 'Despicable Me' to clean up.

The stars...

The movies appeal almost as much to adults as to its young target audience. With voice casts including the great Steve Carell as Gru, joined by other much-liked stars including 'iCarly' star Miranda Cosgrove, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Kristen Wiig and Steve Coogan, all respected for their live-action work (plus Jon Hamm and Sandra Bullock are signed up for the Minions movie), few adults would baulk at taking their kids to see the movies during the school holidays.

Publicity...

Both Kristen Wiig and Steve Carell joined the publicity circus for 'Despicable Me 2' with a zesty enthusiasm, and that kind of thing is infectious with potential audiences. Going an impressive extra mile, Carell even agreed to go on the Ellen show in character as Gru, donning a pointy prosthetic nose, massive shoulder pads and a bald cap.

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