MOVIE NEWS – George Lucas’ name is synonymous with the Star Wars universe. The legendary filmmaker opened the door to a galaxy far, far away for generations, fundamentally changed the face of Hollywood and pop culture itself, not to mention the way movies are marketed.

Lucas is naturally a huge fan himself and, deep down, an admitted eternal child who does not only support the democratic aspirations of Jedi Knights. There is now further proof of that, as the 82-year-old master eternal child who does not only support the democratic aspirations of Jedi Knights. There is now further proof of that, as the 82-year-old master has taken on an animated cameo in Illumination’s latest film, Minions & Monsters.

In an exclusive interview with Collider, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri explained that he met Lucas two years ago, when the filmmaker told him that he loved the studio’s work, especially the Despicable Me films and, within them, the yellow, gibberish-speaking Minions. That led to a bold idea: Meledandri suggested to the film’s director, Pierre Coffin, co-writer Brian Lynch, and producer Bill Ryan that they invite Lucas to appear in the movie as himself.

The studio team was initially a little incredulous about the proposal, but to Meledandri’s greatest surprise, Lucas immediately supported the idea. Lucas’ animated character naturally speaks in his own voice in the original version of Minions & Monsters.

The logistics required a little organization. Meledandri revealed that the work was arranged through Lucas’ wife, Mellody Hobson, while the couple happened to be in Paris. Director Pierre Coffin and part of the crew were also working in the French capital at the local studio, so they quickly arranged for Lucas to stop by that same week to record his character’s dialogue.

The coordination went so smoothly that the necessary voice work was recorded almost immediately. Lucas enjoyed the collaboration so much that when he most recently met Meledandri, they were already discussing what role he might play in the next Minions movie.

(Minions & Monsters – release date: July 1, 2026.)

Source: UIP Dunafilm