Los Angeles: Hollywood filmmaker George Lucas, best known for creating the 'Star Wars' franchise, is set to lend his voice to the upcoming animated film 'Minions & Monsters'.
Directed by Pierre Coffin, the film is scheduled to release on July 1. It is produced by Chris Meledandri and Bill Ryan under Illumination, according to the entertainment news outlet Variety.
extra! extra! the minions are taking over Hollywood. See Minions & Monsters, only in theaters July 1. pic.twitter.com/P1RVmsFASZ
Meledandri recalled meeting Lucas nearly two years ago.
"I had this privilege of meeting George about two years ago, and what led to my meeting him is how much he loves Illumination movies, and specifically ‘Despicable Me,’ and even more specifically, the Minions,” Meledandri said.
“It was such a thrill to learn that and then to share it with the team, because obviously he’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts."
He said the idea of casting Lucas emerged while discussing a new character for the film.
"An idea for a character came up out of the story, and so I said to Pierre (Coffin), who co-wrote the movie with Brian Lynch, and Bill Ryan, who produces with me on the film, and I just said, ‘Well, what if we could get George?’ And they’re like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I had no idea, but I got such a fast yes," he added.
'Minions & Monsters' follows the yellow henchmen as they attempt to film a monster movie in 1920s Hollywood.
The voice cast also includes Pierre Coffin, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, Jeff Bridges, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr and Trey Parker, among others.