Despicable Me 4 Cast Revealed: New Faces, Voices Behind the Characters & Hidden Details

Meet the Voices Behind the Characters

Steve Carell as Gru

Steve Carell returns as the lovable, slightly chaotic ex-villain turned hero, Gru. He’s been the voice of Gru across the franchise, so when Despicable Me 4 drops, we’re comfortable with his voice anchoring everything.

What’s interesting: Carell told interviewers that he sees a bit of himself in Gru’s role as “dad trying his best,” which helps ground the hyper-fun animation in real emotion.

Also: Even though the film is full of insane gadgetry and Minion mayhem, Carell’s familiarity with the character means he could improvise some of the lines during voice-recording sessions (a technique Illumination uses).

Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde

Kristen Wiig is back as Lucy, Gru’s wife and Anti-Villain League agent. Her voice brings both energy and warmth.

Extra insight: Wiig, known for her comedy chops, had to shift slightly here to match the family dynamic, balancing adventure with “mom” moments. A behind-the-scenes

Note: the recording team gave her more freedom in ad-libbing the playful banter with Gru, which adds freshness to the dialogue.

Will Ferrell as Maxime Le Mal

This is a new major-cast entry: Will Ferrell voices the new villain, Maxime Le Mal.

What makes this special: Ferrell joined the franchise fresh, and he admitted in interviews that he hadn’t watched all previous Despicable Me films before signing on.

That’s unusual for a big-franchise villain. His fresh perspective may have given Maxime a more unpredictable edge.

Also note: Maxime Le Mal is not just a standard villain; his backstory ties to Gru’s past (a high-school rivalry), which adds emotional texture you might not expect from a kids’ animation.

Sofía Vergara as Valentina

Sofía Vergara voices Valentina, the “femme fatale” sidekick of Maxime Le Mal. Wikipedia+1
Cool detail: Vergara’s star power brings a global dimension — her voice casting helps the film feel international, not just USA-centric. That shows how animation today thinks globally from the start.

Joey King as Poppy Prescott

Joey King plays Poppy Prescott, a new, younger character who admires Gru and wants to follow in his “villain-turned-hero” footsteps.

New insight: Poppy is part of the film’s attempt to bring in a “next-gen” vibe. Many franchises do this with side characters, but Poppy’s pitched as more than a sidekick; her story threads (her family, her ambitions) are intertwined with Gru’s family. That gives extra depth for older kids or parents watching.

Other Notable Voices

• Miranda Cosgrove returns as Margo (Gru & Lucy’s eldest adopted daughter).

• Dana Gaier returns as Edith, the middle daughter.

• Madison Polan joins as Agnes (the youngest daughter), replacing a prior voice actor.

• Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom (Anti-Villain League).

• Pierre Coffin voices the Minions (yes, all of them). His return is important.

Also Read:

• Should You Watch Boston Blue? The New CBS Crime Drama Everyone’s Talking About
• Chad Powers Review: Glen Powell’s Double Life, Flaws & Surprises

What’s New & Unique About This Cast Line-Up?

Here are some special “extra” points you don’t always see in other coverage:

• The replacement of the voice actor for Agnes is notable. Madison Polan voices Agnes for the first time in this main film, taking over from Nev Scharrel (who had previously replaced Elsie Fisher). That means even a “known” character gets a refreshed voice, which can subtly shift character tone.

• The film intentionally cast major stars (Ferrell, Vergara, King) not just for voice quality but for global appeal. Vergara brings Latin-American star power; Ferrell brings major U.S. comedy presence; King appeals to younger adult audiences.

• The relationship between cast and characters has more “next-gen” movement: Poppy and Agnes try to step into more ambitious roles; the Minions get a “Mega Minions” upgrade (which is also voiced by Coffin). So voice-casting matches story-casting.

• Though not strictly “cast” info, the fact that this is the first time in the main series that the villain’s backstory is so connected to Gru’s past (with Maxime Le Mal as an old rival) means the voice actor had to deliver emotional and comedic beats more demanding than typical villain roles.

Why This Cast Matters for the Franchise

The voice cast for Despicable Me 4 shows the franchise isn’t standing still. It’s signalling that:

• The characters’ families (Gru, Lucy, their kids) are staying central voices remain consistent (Carell, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier) to keep emotional continuity.

• At the same time, the franchise is opening new frontiers with younger characters (Poppy), new villain dynamics (Maxime Le Mal + Valentina), refreshed voice actors (Agnes), and new voice talent.

• Global marketing: A cast with names from varied backgrounds helps the film internationally, as this film grossed very strongly worldwide.

• Voice acting in animation is getting more demanding: the cast is expected not only to “sound” characters but to deliver layered performances (comedy + parenting + action + emotion). That elevates the film.

A Few Fun Behind-the-Scenes Tidbits

• The film’s production had to deal with the continuing impact of COVID-19 on voice-recording sessions; some voice actors worked remotely or in smaller groups. That means casting flexibility was more important than ever.

• When casting Will Ferrell, the team intentionally chose someone new to the franchise to bring a fresh tone. Ferrell said he’d never seen all the prior films, so his voice role comes with a fresh reaction spot.

• Madison Polan (Agnes) was chosen partly because she had not been in a major film before; her “fresh-voice” status helps preserve the youthful innocence of Agnes. A nice strategic move.

• Voice actors like Kristen Wiig and Steve Carell had already been working together on this franchise for many years. Their chemistry helps anchor the family charm of the film, while newer voices take on vibrancy.

• The Minions’ voice work by Pierre Coffin remains consistent, but the “Mega Minions” (new, powered-up versions) required additional vocal layering and sound effects to make them feel different.

The cast of Despicable Me 4 blends trusted favorites with fresh voices, and it does so in a way that supports the story’s evolution: Gru’s family continues, a new challenge arises, younger characters step up, and the Minions shift gears. For fans and newcomers alike, this cast list means you get both familiarity and novelty.

If you’re curious about VOICE-overs, global marketing impact, or how casting choices reflect story changes, this film is a strong example. Whether you’re watching for the Minions, the laughs, the family moments, or the villain showdown, the voices bring it all to life.