George Lucas to Voice a Role in Illumination’s ‘Minions & Monsters’

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed that George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, will lend his voice to the upcoming animated film Minions & Monsters, a new entry in the Despicable Me/Minions franchise. The announcement was made in an interview with Collider, where Meledandri said an idea for a character sparked the invitation and Lucas agreed quickly.

The movie, scheduled to premiere on July 1 2026, follows the Minions as they explore old Hollywood and encounter monsters. Lucas’s exact role has not been disclosed; he may play an original character or an animated version of himself. He recorded his lines in Paris and has expressed enthusiasm for future Minions projects, indicating he may discuss roles in subsequent films.

Lucas’s involvement marks his first major acting gig since a cameo in Star Wars Episode III, highlighting a rare crossover between the legendary filmmaker and the popular animation studio.