George Lucas Cast in ‘Minions & Monsters,’ According to Illumination CEO

George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars franchise, has been confirmed to lend his voice to Minions & Monsters, the upcoming Despicable Me spin-off, according to Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri. The announcement, made during an interview with Collider, marks an unexpected collaboration between the Hollywood legend and the animation studio behind the Minions franchise.

How Lucas Joined the Film

Meledandri revealed that the idea to include Lucas emerged during story development. “An idea for a character came up, and so I said to Pierre [Coffin] and the team, ‘What if we could get George?’ They were shocked, but he said yes,” Meledandri said. The studio has not disclosed whether Lucas will play an original character or an animated version of himself, though the film’s plot involves the Minions spending time in Hollywood.

Lucas’s History with Illumination

Lucas’s involvement stems from his long-standing admiration for Illumination’s work. “I met George two years ago, and he expressed how much he loved Despicable Me and the Minions,” Meledandri said. “It was incredible to share that with the team, as he’s someone the entire studio respects.” Lucas, known for his work on Star Wars and other iconic films, has occasionally appeared in cameos but has not taken on a major acting role in years.

Future Roles in the Minions Franchise

Meledandri hinted that Lucas is already discussing potential roles in future Minions films. “I saw him recently, and he’s already talking about the next movie,” he said. Minions & Monsters is set to premiere on July 1, 2026, though no additional details about Lucas’s character have been released.

Background on Illumination

Illumination, founded in 2007, gained fame with the Despicable Me series and has since expanded to projects like The Grinch, Secret Life of Pets, and Super Mario Bros. The studio’s focus on family-friendly animation has made the Minions a global phenomenon, with three standalone films and a growing franchise.

For updates on Minions & Monsters, follow Illumination’s official channels. Lucas’s role, while unconfirmed in broader media, highlights the creative synergy between established filmmakers and animated storytelling.