Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Set for July 26, 2024 and will be Presented Live on NBC and Peacock
A bold new chapter of Minions mayhem, Illumination’s Despicable Me 4, is in theaters now
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – Illumination’s iconic global ambassadors of joy and mischief, the Minions, are partnering with Team USA to launch a limited-edition capsule collection starting today in celebration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 that will be presented on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo beginning July 26, 2024. The capsule collection debut coincides with the theatrical release of the new chapter in Illumination’s blockbuster animated franchise, Despicable Me 4, featuring the Minions, in theaters now.
Following the launch of promotional spots starring the mischief-making Minions interrupting Team USA track and field athletes Noah Lyles, Ryan Crouser and Anna Hall’s training practices, an all-new Minions x Team USA collection showcases the beloved Minions in track suits and more, commemorating Team USA with their disruptive playfulness on tees and sweatshirts, in both adult and kids’ sizes, as well as hats, water bottles, pins and more.
“The Minions x Team USA collection brings together two iconic global brands in celebration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris,” said Vince Klaseus, President, Universal Products & Experiences. “The Minions bring joy to fans of all ages and their influence on pop culture and fashion is undeniable, making them the perfect brand ambassadors for fans to gear up with and cheer for Team USA.”
The Minions x Team USA collection is available starting today online through Team USA Shop, as well as The Shop at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center, New York City, with select styles available at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.
“The debut of the Minions x Team USA collection pays tribute to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the world’s greatest athletes,” said Jenny Storms, Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Entertainment and Sports. “The collaboration lets fans further engage with the Games as they prepare for the release of Despicable Me 4 and NBCU’s Olympics coverage.”
“The exciting countdown to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris continues with this eye-catching collection of apparel and accessories that deliver on our goal to make this a truly unforgettable summer for both Minions fans and sports fans,” said David O’Connor, President, Global Franchise Management & Partnerships, Universal Pictures. “Featuring fun and playful designs that captures the spirit of Illumination’s Minions, the merchandise line-up offers something for everyone.”
NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26, beginning at Noon ET. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.
Illumination’s new chapter in the most successful global animated franchise in history, Despicable Me 4, arrives in theaters on July 3 in North America.
About Illumination’s Despicable Me 4
In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4.
Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.
Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
The film features fresh new characters voiced by Joey King (Bullet Train), Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live). Pierre Coffin returns as the iconic voice of the Minions and Oscar® nominee Steve Coogan returns as Silas Ramsbottom.
Packed with non-stop action and filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, Despicable Me 4 is directed by a co-creator of the Minions, Oscar® nominee Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets), and is produced by Illumination’s visionary founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Brett Hoffman (executive producer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minions: The Rise of Gru). The film is co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director Sing 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2), and the screenplay is by the Emmy winning creator of White Lotus, Mike White, and the veteran writer of every Despicable Me film, Ken Daurio.
About Illumination
Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers of event-animated films, including Despicable Me—the most successful animated franchise in cinematic history—as well as the record breaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films. Illumination's library includes three of the top 10 animated films of all time. Illumination's iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.
About Universal Products & Experiences
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.