Will Arnett back in the spotlight as $940M ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ hits Netflix today
will arnett is back on screens today as Minions: The Rise of Gru becomes officially available to stream on Netflix. The 2022 animated comedy, one of Universal Pictures’ highest-grossing animated movies, earned a worldwide gross of over $940 million during its theatrical run. The move gives the film a new streaming home as audiences also track a separate, sharply emotional on-screen moment featuring the actor in The Madison.
Netflix adds a $940 million animated hit with familiar voices
As of today (ET), Minions: The Rise of Gru is live on Netflix, bringing the second prequel entry of the Despicable Me franchise to the platform. The film stars Academy Award nominee Steve Carell and includes returning voice performances from Will Arnett and Steve Coogan, who reprise their roles as Mr. Perkins and Silas Ramsbottom from the main franchise. Pierre Coffin also returns as the voice of the titular yellow sidekicks.
The ensemble voice cast listed for the film includes Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles, Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru, Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, Danny Trejo as Stronghold, and Lucy Lawless as Nun-chuck. The film holds an 89% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Official synopsis: Gru, the Vicious 6, and a 1970s origin story
The official synopsis places the story “in the heart of the 1970s, ” with Gru growing up in the suburbs as a fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6. Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them, and the Minions provide support as they build an early lair, experiment with weapons, and attempt their first missions.
The synopsis continues: after the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru interviews to become their newest member. It “doesn’t go well, ” and after Gru outsmarts them, he becomes “the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. ” On the run, Gru turns to Wild Knuckles for guidance and learns that even bad guys need help from friends. In this franchise return, will arnett is part of the returning voice lineup tied to the main Despicable Me continuity.
Separate headline moment: Michelle Pfeiffer confronts Will Arnett in ‘The Madison’ clip
In another storyline drawing attention today, Michelle Pfeiffer and Will Arnett appear in a sneak peek of The Madison, with Pfeiffer’s Stacy Clyburn in a blunt conversation with her therapist, Phil Yorn, played by Arnett. The clip is described as coming from the fifth episode and centers on Clyburn being questioned over what Phil Yorn calls “hostile” and “mistrusting” behavior.
In the scene, Arnett’s character says: “You don’t know me. And yet, here you are, in theory, willing to expose your most personal thoughts and intimate feelings. Trust me in my interpretation of those feelings and behaviors to guide your decision making in the future. ” Pfeiffer’s character responds with a grief-heavy monologue about her husband’s death and the pain that follows.
Quick context and what’s next (ET)
The Madison premiered its first three episodes on Saturday, March 14 (ET) and follows the Clyburn family, New York City transplants living in the Madison River valley of Montana. The show is created by Taylor Sheridan and is described as a “heartfelt study of grief. ”
Next up: The Madison releases its final three episodes on Saturday, March 21 (ET), on Paramount+. Meanwhile, the streaming shift is immediate—Minions: The Rise of Gru is available on Netflix as of today (ET), putting will arnett simultaneously in the week’s streaming conversation on two fronts.
