Summary
Many animated movies could translate well into live-action, but I can’t understand why anyone would think a live-actionMinionsmovie is a good idea. With the trend of turningDisney movies into live-action, it seemed inevitable that other production companies would start considering live-action versions of popular animated films. One of the first announced adaptations outside of Disney is Universal/Dreamworks’ upcominglive-action version ofHow 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 directedDespicable Me 4– an interviewer fromFilmHoundsbrought up other live-action movies, asking aboutthe possibility of a live-actionMinionsfilm. 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-offMinionmovies, is an animated franchise that won’t work in live-action.
All 19 Despicable Me & Minions Villains, Ranked Worst To Best
Despicable Me is a series of films about villains, but in a world full of bad guys, there always has to be one who exceeds all of the others.
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-actionMinionsmovie sounds like an awful idea. For starters, theMinionmovie lost what was great aboutDespicable Me– an appeal to audience members 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 middlingRotten Tomatoesscore 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.
TheDespicable Mefranchise’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 support 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 3has been confirmed and is currently scheduled for August 22, 2025.
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-actionMinionmovie 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 toThe Lion KingandThe Jungle Book.
How Many Minions Gru Has In The Despicable Me Movies
Minions serve Gru in the Despicable Me franchise. It may be tough to count them, but we are trying to find out how many Minions there are in total.
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 animatedDespicable Memovies.
