Summary

  • A live-action Minions movie is a terrible idea after the middling-to-low success of the original film due to the lack of humor and appeal for adults.
  • Live-action adaptations like The Lion King and The Jungle Book show that animated movies fall short of conveying the emotions and expressions of the original.
  • The stylistic animation of the Despicable Me franchise, which includes disproportionate characters and unique designs, is part of what makes the movies charming.

Many animated movies could translate well into live-action, but I can’t understand why anyone would think a live-action live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon. I’m somewhat skeptical of this adaptation, though it could be fun if they properly execute Toothless and the dragons.

However, there is one potential live-action adaptation that an interviewer brought up recently that I never want to see – Minions. When speaking with Chris Renaud – who directed Despicable Me 4 – an interviewer from FilmHounds brought up other live-action movies, asking about the possibility of a live-action Minions film. I don’t begrudge the interviewer for asking the question based on present trends. However, I’m unbelievably relieved that director Chris Renaud responded by saying, “God, I hope not.” Despicable Me, and the spin-off Minion movies, is an animated franchise that won’t work in live-action.

Despicable-Me-2-Rise-of-Gru-Wild-Knuckles-Purple-Minion
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A Live-Action Minions Movie Is A Terrible Idea

Minions Was A Lackluster Movie That Wouldn't Translate Well To Live-Action

There are so many reasons that a live-action Minions movie sounds like an awful idea. For starters, the Minion movie lost what was great about Despicable Me – an appeal to audience of all ages. The original film had clever humor and messages that adults could connect with. The spinoff, focused on the henchmen, bored me to tears, and I wasn’t the only one. The middling Rotten Tomatoes score shows just how subpar the movie was. If Illumination Entertainment couldn’t produce an excellent animated film based on the henchmen, they shouldn’t invest more money in a live-action version.

I can’t imagine a live-action design for the minions that doesn’t look either ridiculous or terrifying.

The Despicable Me franchise’s animation style also relies on disproportionate and exaggerated proportions. Gru has toothpick legs that get tinier towards the ankles, Lucy has a thin neck that shouldn’t be able to her head, and the kids all have gigantic heads that are as wide as their shoulders. Without the stylistic animation, they would lose their charm. Plus, the minions look like bright yellow thumbs with googly eyes and noodle arms (except when they're Evil Minions or Mega Minions). I can’t imagine a live-action design for the minions that doesn’t look either ridiculous or terrifying.

Minions 3 has been confirmed and is currently scheduled for June 30, 2027.

Why Live-Action Adaptations Are So Risky

Animation Is An Art Style With Its Own Benefits

Even if the writers devised a clever and funny plot, a live-action Minion movie would be a bad idea because live-action adaptations are generally risky. A large part of what makes animated movies beloved is the animators' stylistic choices and the medium's advantages. On top of this, live-action adaptations of animated movies often lose the emotion and expression of the original. Examples of this are the photorealistic approach to The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

Despicable Me Gru and Minions
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I love both those live-action movies, but they pale compared to the animated versions. It’s much easier to recognize, identify, and empathize with the characters’ emotions when they’re animated, rather than trying to read the faces of realistic versions. In attempting to bring the minions to life, they could lose the characters’ expressiveness and personality. This will isolate the fans who still adore the creatures while annoying everyone who’s grown tired of their antics. I would prefer they leave the minions as side characters in the animated Despicable Me movies.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Minions - screenshot from the Minions Trailer
Minions
Created By
Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Sergio Pablos
First Appearance
Despicable Me
RELATIONSHIPS
Gru (master), Dr. Nefario (associate), Each other (brotherly bond)
Alliance
Gru
Race
Minions (genetically engineered beings)

Video Games
Despicable Me: The Game, Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Franchise
Despicable Me
POWERS
Immense durability, High intelligence in mechanics and engineering
HISTORY
Minions have existed since the beginning of time, evolving from single-celled yellow organisms into beings that exist to serve the most despicable of masters. They find their ultimate master in Gru and assist him in his villainous and later heroic endeavors.
Age
Indeterminate (exist since the beginning of time)
Height
Approximately 3 feet (91 cm)
Comic Books
Minions: Paella #1
Status
Alive