Minions: The Rise of Gru Cast – Full Voice Cast and Characters

Minions: The Rise of Gru balances familiar voices with bold newcomers, bridging the franchise’s past and future. The film, released on July 1, 2022, brings back Steve Carell as the young supervillain-in-training while introducing A‑list stars like Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, and Michelle Yeoh to the Despicable Me universe.

Release date: July 1, 2022 ·
Box office: $939.8 million ·
Lead voice: Steve Carell as Gru ·
Director: Kyle Balda

Six facts about the film that set the stage for the cast discussion:

Is the original cast back for Rise of Gru?

With a prequel set in the 1970s, the voice cast had to balance continuity with fresh blood. Here’s who returned from the original Despicable Me and who didn’t.

Returning voice actors: Steve Carell as Gru

• Steve Carell reprises his role as the young Gru, delivering the same deadpan tone that made the character iconic (Wikipedia entry).
• Julie Andrews returns as Gru’s mother, Marlena Gru (TV Guide cast page).
• Will Arnett and Steve Coogan also reprise their Despicable Me roles as Mr. Perkins and Silas Ramsbottom, respectively (IMDb credits).

Pierre Coffin as the Minions

• Pierre Coffin once again provides the voice for Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and the rest of the Minion army (Rotten Tomatoes synopsis).
• He has voiced the Minions in every Despicable Me and Minions film.

New additions and missing voices

• Alan Arkin joins as Wild Knuckles, the former leader of the Vicious 6 who becomes Gru’s mentor – his final film role (Wikipedia entry).
• Taraji P. Henson voices Belle Bottom, the new leader of the Vicious 6 (TV Guide cast page).
• Previous players like Sandra Bullock (Scarlett Overkill) and Michael Keaton (Walter Nelson) do not appear in this film – a notable departure from the first Minions movie.

Bottom line: The film retains its core voices – Carell, Coffin, and key Despicable Me alumni – while introducing a parade of new villains and mentors that broaden the franchise’s world.

Who does Sandra Bullock voice in Minions?

Sandra Bullock voiced the villain Scarlett Overkill in the 2015 Minions film, but she is entirely absent from The Rise of Gru.

Sandra Bullock’s role in the first Minions film

• Bullock portrayed Scarlett Overkill, the world’s first female supervillain (Wikipedia entry).
• Her character was the primary antagonist, hiring the Minions to help steal Queen Elizabeth’s crown.

Why she is not in Rise of Gru

• The story is set in the 1970s, before Scarlett Overkill’s rise – though the studio deliberately chose a different villain roster to explore new characters rather than recycle old ones.

Bottom line: Sandra Bullock voiced Scarlett Overkill in the first Minions movie only; she does not appear in The Rise of Gru.

Who does Michael Keaton play in Minions?

Michael Keaton voiced Walter Nelson in the 2015 Minions film, but he does not return for The Rise of Gru.

Michael Keaton’s role in the Minions franchise

• Keaton voiced Walter Nelson, a minor character who appears in a brief scene (TV Guide cast page).
• His character is the father of a family that the Minions encounter during their road trip.

His absence in Rise of Gru

• Keaton has no role in The Rise of Gru, as the film focuses on a different set of characters set decades earlier.

Bottom line: Michael Keaton voiced a small part in the first Minions film but is not part of the Rise of Gru cast.

Who gave voice to Minions?

Pierre Coffin is the primary (and almost exclusive) voice actor for the Minions across the entire franchise.

Primary voice actor for the Minions

• Pierre Coffin voices Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and all other Minion characters (Wikipedia entry).
• He also co-directed the first two Minions films and is the creative force behind the gibberish language.

Additional vocal contributions

• While Coffin provides the main voices, additional performers – including Bob Bergen, Cathy Cavadini, Debra Wilson, and Fred Tatasciore – contribute to background Minion sounds (Metacritic credits).

Bottom line: Pierre Coffin is the voice of nearly every Minion; supporting actors add texture to crowd scenes.

Who voices Dr. Nefario in Minions: The Rise of Gru?

Dr. Nefario, Gru’s eventual gadget‑building ally, is voiced by Russell Brand.

Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario

• Brand reprises his role from Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 (IMDb credits).
• In The Rise of Gru, Dr. Nefario runs a record store that serves as a front for his inventions.

Character role in the film

• Dr. Nefario is a supporting character who provides technological assistance to Gru and the Minions.
• His appearance here bridges the gap between the prequel and the later Despicable Me timeline.

Bottom line: Russell Brand voices Dr. Nefario, the inventor who later becomes Gru’s right‑hand scientist.

For those curious about who brings each character to life, you can check out the full voice cast details for the complete lineup.

Frequently asked questions

The cast of Minions: The Rise of Gru is a deliberate blend of legacy voices and bold newcomers. For audiences, the choice is clear: if you want continuity, Carell and Coffin deliver; if you want fresh energy, Arkin, Henson, and Yeoh bring it. The franchise’s longevity depends on this balance – and Carell and Coffin anchor the franchise, while newcomers like Arkin and Henson expand its appeal. The box office ($939.8 million) suggests the formula works.