Bazooka Candy Brands, A Division Of The Topps Company, Inc., Secures Promotional Agreement With Illumination And Universal Pictures' DESPICABLE ME 3

NEW YORK, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

DESPICABLE ME 3 arrives in theaters nationwide on June 30, 2017.
www.despicable.me

About DESPICABLE ME 3

Illumination, who brought moviegoers Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3. 

After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis.  But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin's despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

Steve Carell not only reprises his role as Gru, but also takes on a second part—that of Dru, Gru's long-lost twin.  Kristen Wiig returns as super-spy Lucy, while Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker voices new villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who has become obsessed with the evil TV character he played in the '80s.  Gru's most formidable and comedic nemesis to date, Bratt is out to take down Hollywood…and anyone who stands in his way. 

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, co-directed by Eric Guillon and written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, the animated film is produced by Illumination's Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and executive produced by Chris Renaud.  www.despicable.me 

About Bazooka Candy Brands

Bazooka Candy Brands is a division of The Topps Company, Inc. and produces such iconic, high-quality candy products as Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop®, Juicy Drop® Pop and of course Bazooka® Bubble Gum.  For additional information, visit www.candymania.com.

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About Illumination

Illumination, founded by Academy Award^® nominee Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers of event-animated films.  The company's franchises include two of the top-six animated films of all time, and its iconic, beloved brands—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $4.7 billion worldwide. 

Illumination was recently honored by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative companies. 

Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, has garnered an extraordinary number of franchise successes for a studio only a decade old.  As the creator of the hugely successful world of Despicable Me, which has just been crowned the second-largest box-office animated franchise globally, Illumination has evolved the Despicable Me series to include Minions, the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time and the most profitable film in Universal's history, as well as the Academy Award^®-nominated Despicable Me 2 and summer 2017's much-anticipated Despicable Me 3.

In 2016 alone, Illumination launched two original properties that captivated audiences worldwide.  Last summer, The Secret Life of Pets achieved the best opening for an original movie, animated or otherwise, in U.S. history.  Likewise, the critically lauded holiday favorite Sing premiered to a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival before becoming a global smash.

Founded 10 years ago with the mission of putting a smile on the face of every member of the audience, no matter their age, Illumination continues to imagine both original stories, as well as unexpected adaptations of beloved pre-existing works.  By infusing joy and discovery into every property, the studio allows audiences to connect their experiences with each property to the Illumination brand itself.

With successful mobile games, consumer products and social/digital media, Illumination's franchises—populated with characters that are as comedic as they are heartfelt and authentic—translate far beyond the theater.  "Despicable Me: Minion Rush" has now become the fifth-most popular game ever, while Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, has newly been joined by the wildly popular Minion Park at Universal Studios Japan…where the Minions are the No. 1 licensed characters.

In addition to this summer's Despicable Me 3, Illumination's upcoming films—featuring creative contributors from an unparalleled collection of writers, artists, voice talent and musicians—include Dr. Seuss' The Grinch in November 2018, The Secret Life of Pets 2 in July 2019, Minions 2 in July 2020, and Sing 2 in December 2020.

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

SOURCE Topps