Honestly, it’s kinda wild how the cast of Despicable Me 3 managed to juggle so many personalities without the whole thing collapsing into a mess of yellow Tic-Tac-shaped chaos. You’ve got the return of the legend Steve Carell, but this time he’s pulling double duty. That’s not easy. Most sequels just add a new villain and call it a day, but Illumination decided to throw a long-lost twin brother into the mix while simultaneously introducing a 1980s-obsessed antagonist who fights with keytars.
The 2017 film had a lot to prove. By the third installment, most franchises are running on fumes. Yet, the voice talent here—specifically the chemistry between the established leads and the newcomers—kept it afloat. It wasn’t just about Gru being a dad anymore. It was about identity, sibling rivalry, and whether or not a former supervillain can actually stay "good" when his brother is rich, has a full head of flowing blonde hair, and desperately wants to steal something.
The main cast of Despicable Me 3: A breakdown of the big names
Steve Carell is basically the soul of this franchise. In this movie, he plays both Gru and his twin brother, Dru. It’s a masterclass in subtle vocal shifts. Gru is all deep, guttural Eastern European grunts, while Dru is high-pitched, breezy, and incredibly annoying in that "I have too much money" kind of way. Carell has mentioned in interviews that finding the voice for Dru was about capturing a sense of "unbridled joy" that contrasts with Gru’s perpetual grumpiness. It works because you can hear the frustration in Gru's voice every time Dru laughs.
Then you have Kristen Wiig. She plays Lucy Wilde. Wiig is a comedic genius, but here she has to play the "straight man" to Gru’s antics while navigating her own subplot about being a new mom to Margo, Edith, and Agnes. She brings a frantic energy that feels very real. It's that "I'm trying so hard to be liked by these kids" vibe that adds a layer of heart to the slapstick.
Trey Parker as Balthazar Bratt
This was the casting choice that caught everyone off guard. Trey Parker, the co-creator of South Park, doesn't usually do "family-friendly" stuff. But as Balthazar Bratt, he is perfection. Bratt is a former child star who got canceled when he hit puberty and now lives in a giant robot shaped like himself.
Parker brings that signature nasal, sarcastic tone to a character who is essentially stuck in 1985. Every time he says "I've been a baaaaad boy," you can tell he’s having the time of his life. He isn't just a voice; he's a physical presence. The moonwalk, the dance fights to Michael Jackson songs—it all relies on Parker's timing.
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The kids and the legacy voices
Miranda Cosgrove returns as Margo, the eldest and most sensible of the trio. She’s the anchor. Then there’s Dana Gaier as Edith, the middle child who loves weapons and anything slightly gross. But the biggest change in the cast of Despicable Me 3 was the voice of Agnes.
In the first two films, Elsie Fisher voiced the unicorn-obsessed youngest daughter. But kids grow up. Their voices change. For the third movie, Nev Scharrel took over the role. Honestly? Most people didn’t even notice. She captured that high-pitched "It’s so fluffy!" energy perfectly. It’s one of those seamless transitions that usually ruins a franchise, but here, it just felt natural.
Why the cast of Despicable Me 3 feels different from other sequels
Most animated sequels get lazy with casting. They hire a "big name" just for the poster. But with this crew, every voice serves a specific comedic purpose. Look at Steve Coogan. He plays Silas Ramsbottom (the former head of the Anti-Villain League) and also voices Fritz, Dru’s polite but eccentric butler. Coogan is a chameleon. You probably didn't even realize it was the same guy.
And we can't forget Julie Andrews. Yes, the Julie Andrews. She plays Gru’s mom. She’s cold, she’s dismissive, and she’s hilarious. It’s a small role, but it gives Gru his "origin story" of why he is the way he is. Having a Dame of the British Empire tell Steve Carell he’s a disappointment is comedy gold.
- Steve Carell: Gru / Dru
- Kristen Wiig: Lucy Wilde
- Trey Parker: Balthazar Bratt
- Miranda Cosgrove: Margo
- Dana Gaier: Edith
- Nev Scharrel: Agnes
- Steve Coogan: Silas Ramsbottom / Fritz
- Julie Andrews: Gru's Mom
- Jenny Slate: Valerie Da Vinci (the new AVL boss)
The dynamic between Jenny Slate and Steve Coogan at the start of the movie sets the tone. Slate plays Valerie Da Vinci, the high-heeled, sharp-tongued new director of the AVL who fires Gru and Lucy. She’s in the movie for maybe five minutes, but her performance is so abrasive and sharp that it drives the entire plot forward. That’s the sign of a strong cast—even the bit parts have impact.
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Pierre Coffin and the Minions factor
It’s easy to forget that the Minions are voiced by the same person who co-directs the movies. Pierre Coffin provides the voices for Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and the rest of the horde. In this movie, the Minions actually have their own separate storyline. They go to prison. They perform a Gilbert and Sullivan song.
Coffin’s ability to convey emotion through gibberish is actually pretty impressive if you think about it. You know exactly when Mel (the leader of the Minion strike) is pissed off at Gru. You don't need a translator. It’s pure physical comedy translated through vocal fry and squeaks.
What most people get wrong about the voice acting process
There's this myth that the cast of Despicable Me 3 all sat in a room together and riffed. That almost never happens in animation. Carell and Wiig likely recorded their lines months apart. The magic happens in the editing room where the directors stitch these performances together to make it feel like they're actually arguing or laughing in the same space.
Trey Parker reportedly recorded his lines in between working on South Park episodes. Despite the distance, his chemistry with Carell’s Gru feels electric during their final showdown. That’s not just good acting; it’s world-class sound engineering and direction.
The legacy of the Despicable Me 3 cast
When you look back at this film, it’s the bridge that expanded the "Gru-verse." By introducing Dru, the cast forced Gru to look at his past and his future. It wasn't just a gimmick. It allowed Carell to explore two sides of the same coin: the cynical hero and the optimistic failure.
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The movie was a massive commercial success, crossing the billion-dollar mark. While some critics felt the plot was a bit thin, nobody complained about the performances. You can't fake the kind of charm this cast brings to the table. They make you care about a guy who used to want to steal the moon.
If you’re planning a rewatch or introducing someone to the series, pay attention to the background voices. The film is packed with seasoned voice actors who fill out the world of Freedonia. It’s a dense, textured audio experience that goes way beyond just "funny yellow guys."
To truly appreciate the work that went into the cast of Despicable Me 3, you should look for the "behind the scenes" clips of Steve Carell recording his lines. Seeing him contort his face to get the Gru voice right makes you realize that voice acting is just as physically demanding as live-action work. Next time you watch, try to spot the moment where Steve Coogan switches characters—it’s harder than you think.
Check out the official soundtrack too, because Pharrell Williams’ music is basically the unspoken "extra" cast member that holds the energy of the scenes together. It’s all about the layers.