Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2012

Minions (and their fans) rejoice! It turns out you won’t have to wait until next summer to see the world’s cutest criminals on the big screen. The 2010 film Despicable Me was a showcase for Steve Carrell’s trademark smug voice and the dazzling 3D computer animation of Paris-based studio Mac Guff. But the surprise hit of the film were the Minions, thousands of little yellow creatures that help super villain Gru (Carrell) carry out his nefarious plans. Part of the appeal seems to have been the high-pitched gibberish of the pint-sized henchmen, who were voiced by their creators, French animators Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, along with Jemaine Clement of the band Flight of the Conchords. A smartphone app was released that “translates” the squeals the Minions make over the films closing credits. The creatures also turned up in the Nintendo DS game Minion Mayhem, countless toys, and even the kids menu at International House of Pancakes in the US. The popularity paved the way for a sequel, but the painstaking animation process means a release date of summer… 2013. But Minion maniacs will be able to tide themselves with the short Banana, which will be screening with the Dr. Seuss adaptation The Lorax, which comes from the same creative team behind Despicable Me.

The Lorax opens in Japan October 6.