Universal Studios Hollywood Welcomes Dru, Gru's Long-Lost Twin Brother, and All-New Jail and Tourist Minions as Part of its Popular "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and Super Silly Fun Land Attraction

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaping from the silver screen to Universal Studios Hollywood, four Minions and Dru, Gru's long-lost twin brother, have made their way to the Entertainment Capital of L.A. this summer.  In addition to seeing the Minions come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, fans are invited to see the box-office blockbuster Despicable Me 3 at Universal CityWalk's new multi-million dollar AMC Theatre, the Universal Cinema.

Known as the Tourist Minions, Dave and Jerry from Despicable Me 3 step out in full tourist regalia—sporting fanny packs, oversized sunglasses, floppy hats and cameras. They are accompanied by two new Jail Minions—who join Minion Mel in Despicable Me 3 to revolt and make a go of it on their own—sporting familiar black-and-white striped jailbird uniforms.

An endearing quality of the new Minion recruits is their lifelike gaze. As Dave, Jerry, and the Jail Minions peer into the faces of guests, their giant eyes now articulate, mischievously shifting from left to right and back again. At times, they even eye roll as they engage with fans. 

The effortlessly charming Dru, Gru's long-lost twin brother, also joins the cast of walkabout theme park characters. Wealthy, larger than life, and with a full head of flowing blond hair, Dru is Gru's opposite in every way. Now, he's ready to charm guests from around the world.

Inspired by Illumination and Universal Pictures' global blockbuster Despicable Me franchise, "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem," an original 3D Ultra-HD adventure, and "Super Silly Fun Land," an imaginative and interactive play zone, are featured attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. Voiced by the film series' stars, the fully-immersive motion-simulator ride features the beloved cast of characters that have resonated with audiences across the globe: super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), and an army of unpredictable Minions.

"Super Silly Fun Land," an elaborate play zone unique to Universal Studios Hollywood, sits adjacent to "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem." The colorfully themed, interactive Minion-inspired outdoor attraction is a literal interpretation of the seaside carnival from the original Despicable Me film, designed to entertain guests of all ages with more than 80 different water-play features. As well, a Minion-themed ride, "Silly Swirly Fun Ride," soars and spins guests around for a 360-degree view of "Super Silly Fun Land"—aboard a fleet of uniquely styled ride vehicles.

In addition to seeing the Minions come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, fans are invited to see the box-office blockbuster, Despicable Me 3 at Universal CityWalk's new multi-million dollar AMC Theatre, the Universal Cinema.  Delivering modern, high-tech elegance and chic sophistication, the renovation of the split-level movie theatre offers a stylish and inviting place that captures the spirit of the glamourous movie studio—complete with screening room quality theatres and ultra-plush reclining seats. 

Each redesigned theatre has been fully upgraded with the most technologically advanced sight and sound achievements. The Universal Cinema represents the first multiplex in the United States to incorporate Christie laser projection, Christie Vive audio sound system and Dolby ATMOS with recliner seating to deliver maximum-impact movie presentations in 18 auditoriums. The installation of new, state-of-the-art screens, perforated to enable 360 degree audio, complement the overall enhancements.

Additionally, movie-goers can enjoy $5 Movie General Parking with the purchase of a movie ticket.

Illumination, who brought movie-goers Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3. 

After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis.  But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin's despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com and at www.CityWalkHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #minionride. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

About Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™" which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" and "Flight of the Hippogriff™," Universal Studios Hollywood's first outdoor rollercoaster.  Other immersive lands include "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Super Silly Fun Land" as well as "Springfield," hometown of America's favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning "The Simpsons Ride™" and the "The Walking Dead" daytime attraction.  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood's signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world's biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as "Fast & Furious—Supercharged." The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, completely redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

About Illumination Entertainment 

Illumination, founded by Academy Award^® nominee Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers of event-animated films.  The company's franchises include two of the top-six animated films of all time, and its iconic, beloved brands—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $4.7 billion worldwide.  Illumination was recently honored by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative companies. 

Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, has garnered an extraordinary number of franchise successes for a studio only a decade old.  As the creator of the hugely successful world of Despicable Me, which has just been crowned the second-largest box-office animated franchise globally, Illumination has evolved the Despicable Me series to include Minions, the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time and the most profitable film in Universal's history, as well as the Academy Award®-nominated Despicable Me 2 and summer 2017's much-anticipated Despicable Me 3.

In 2016 alone, Illumination launched two original properties that captivated audiences worldwide.  Last summer, The Secret Life of Pets achieved the best opening for an original movie, animated or otherwise, in U.S. history.  Likewise, the critically lauded holiday favorite Sing premiered to a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival before becoming a global smash.

Founded 10 years ago with the mission of putting a smile on the face of every member of the audience, no matter their age, Illumination continues to imagine both original stories, as well as unexpected adaptations of beloved pre-existing works.  By infusing joy and discovery into every property, the studio allows audiences to connect their experiences with each property to the Illumination brand itself.

With successful mobile games, consumer products and social/digital media, Illumination's franchises—populated with characters that are as comedic as they are heartfelt and authentic—translate far beyond the theater.  "Despicable Me: Minion Rush" has now become the fifth-most popular game ever, while "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem," at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, has newly been joined by the wildly popular Minion Park at Universal Studios Japan…where the Minions are the No. 1 licensed characters.

In addition to this summer's Despicable Me 3, Illumination's upcoming films—featuring creative contributors from an unparalleled collection of writers, artists, voice talent and musicians—include Dr. Seuss' The Grinch in November 2018, The Secret Life of Pets 2 in July 2019, Minions 2 in July 2020, and Sing 2 in December 2020.

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood

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