‘Despicable Me’ 3 Trailer: New '80s Child Star Villain Arrives In Style But Where Have All The Minions Gone?

Dec 15, 2016 08:54 AM EST

The first trailer for the upcoming ‘Despicable Me 3’ movie was released by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, and one of the most noticeable things about the clip is the lack of the Minions.

The ‘Despicable Me 3’ trailer drew attention mostly to Gru (Steve Carrell) as well as his wife and partner-in-crime Lucy (Kristen Wiig). The duo is set to battle it out a new villain- Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker).

Parker co-created Comedy Central’s global hit, ‘South Park,’ and the Broadway phenomenon, ‘The Book of Mormon.’

Fully decked out in a purple jumpsuit, Bratt moonwalks on the ocean and on the side of a ship as Michael Jackson’s hit song ‘Bad’ plays. At the Anti-Villain League headquarters, it has been suspected that they are witnessing a monster roaming freely, until one member identifies the villainous character for who he is: “That’s no monster — that’s a man wearing shoulder pads!”

New villain Balthazar Bratt in 'Despicable Me 3.' Photo: Illumination Entertainment
New villain Balthazar Bratt in 'Despicable Me 3.' Photo: Illumination Entertainment

Recognized as a former child star in the ‘80s in the hit TV show ‘Evil Brat,’ Parker’s character took on the role of a child genius and criminal mastermind.

Bratt “used a combination of hip-hop dance techniques, martial arts, and high-tech weapons disguised as popular 80's gadgets,” with the catchphrase "I've been a baaaad boy.” However, after two seasons, Bratt’s show was eventually cancelled and he has shied away from the public since, making a comeback this time for vengeance and world domination.

Only two Minions found themselves at the end of the trailer, unlike the clips for the past two films where a pack of yellow creatures literally invaded the screen.

'Despicable Me 3' Photo: Illumination Entertainment
'Despicable Me 3' Photo: Illumination Entertainment

With majority of the Minions being absent from the first ‘Despicable Me 3’ trailer, certain discussions have been stirred online. Since the first movie off the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise was released, some viewers have already expressed their disapproval over such characters. Even a subreddit called ‘Minion Hate’ exists, with over 30,000 subscribers sharing regular posts.

Multiple groups that are noticeably hateful towards Minions are on Facebook as well, some of which have at least 5,000 members.

Moreover, a ‘Daily Minion Hate’ blog is existent on Tumblr, posting links to memes and jokes relating to the existence of these round beings.

Such individuals have already spoken about the negative impact these Minions bring to the ‘Despicable Me’ films, with one Twitter user stating that the Minions are not adorable; rather, “they’re just very annoying.”

‘Despicable Me 3’ is the fourth movie off the multi-billion-dollar franchise from Illumination. The studio already released the well-loved spinoff ‘Minions’ in 2015, which raked in $1.2 billion in the global box office.

'Despicable Me' and 'Despicable Me 2' were released in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

Helmed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin, the ‘Despicable Me 3’ premiere date has been set on June 30, 2017. The official trailer can be viewed below.