THE MINIONS FROM DESPICABLE ME 2 ARE MISSING...LOOK FOR THEM ACROSS THE NBCUNIVERSAL FAMILY OF WEBSITES AND WIN!

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures announced today that it has launched a search for missing Minions in support of Universal and Illumination Entertainment's upcoming 3D-CG comedy adventure, Despicable Me 2.  Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team have created an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.  Despicable Me 2 will be released on July 3, 2013. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130128/LA49757LOGO)

Gru's loyal yellow, gibberish-speaking Minions love causing mischief and mayhem almost as much as they love bananas.  They are easily distracted and can be unpredictable, curious and subversively sweet.  They are extremely competitive with each other.  This can lead to sudden slap fights, but if someone from the outside tries to harm them or Gru's family, they become fiercely protective.  Now, someone or something has been making them vanish...

By searching for the Minions across the NBCUniversal family of websites—beginning today and lasting until June 30—fans may win any number of despicable prizes.  Every day, a new missing Minion will be revealed at www.missingminions.com, along with the NBCUniversal partner website where he may be found.  Audiences are asked to visit the specific partner site and search for the missing Minion.  To rescue him and enter the drawing for the grand prize, all they must do is click!

For each Minion found, registered users will receive an entry into a grand-prize sweepstakes for a trip for four to Universal Orlando Resort.  Daily instant-win prizes of Fandango Movie Cash—good for tickets to see Despicable Me 2 in theaters—are also available for lucky fans with keen eyes.

More than 21 NBCUniversal sites are participating in the three-week promotion.  Visit www.missingminions.com to find out more and start the search for a missing Minion today.

About Despicable Me 2
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10^th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history.  In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2. 

Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.  www.despicable.me

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 television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses.  NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.

SOURCE Universal Pictures