Universal, Illumination Book 5 Straight July 4 Weekends Through 2023
Studio announces release of four animated films including three on the Friday before Independence Day
Beatrice Verhoeven | February 2, 2017 @ 10:40 AM
Last Updated: February 2, 2017 @ 4:01 PM
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment has booked five straight July 4th weekends through 2023.
From 2019 to 2023, the two companies will release a film on the weekend before Independence Day. In 2019, an untitled film will be released on July 3; In 2020, “Minions 2” will hit theaters on July 3; In 2021, Universal dated a film on July 2, and for 2022, Universal slated a movie for July 1. An untitled Illumination film will also be released on June 30, 2023.
Illumination Entertainment was founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007 and has produced films in the “Despicable Me” franchise as well as the hit “Minions,” which has grossed $1.16 billion worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Other films include “The Secret Life of Pets” and the most recent animated flick, “Sing,” featuring the voices of Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon. The former is the 12th highest-grossing animated film ever and had the largest opening ever for an original film, animated or otherwise. “Sing 2” is set for a release in 2020.
Universal and Illumination will also release the upcoming “Despicable Me 3,” starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Trey Parker, this coming June.
The Friday before 2o18’s Independence Day weekend marks the opening of “Barbie” and an untitled Fox/Marvel project, while “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” will open on July 6, 2018.
13 Famous Voices Behind the Furry Characters in 'Secret Life of Pets' (Photos)
Louis C.K. ("Max") Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.
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Eric Stonestreet (Duke) The Emmy-nominated "Modern Family" actor voices Max's Newfoundland canine roommate, Duke.
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Kevin Hart (Snowball) One of Hollywood's most bankable stars, Hart has already dominated the summer with "Central Intelligence." It was only a matter of time before he made his way to animation as the villainous bunny Snowball. Hart is also scheduled to voice a character in next year's DreamWorks flick "Captain Underpants."
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Steve Coogan (Ozone) Before Coogan performed in films like 'Philomena' and 'Alan Partridge,' the British actor worked as a voice artist on the satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image.' In 'Pets,' Coogan's vocal expertise returns, playing the Sphynx cat Ozone.
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Ellie Kemper (Katie) Having voiced characters on TBS' "American Dad" and HBO's "Animals," the "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star continues to use her perky vocals as Katie, Max and Duke's kind human owner.
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Bobby Moynihan (Mel) Moynihan put his voice to work in two Pixar films -- "Monsters University" and "Inside Out." In his latest animated outing, the "SNL" performer plays the hyperactive pug, Mel.
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Lake Bell (Chloe) The New York-based actress/writer/director knows a thing or two about voice acting -- she played an aspiring voiceover artist in her 2013 feature debut, "In a World." With "Pets," Bell continues her vocal work as an apathetic tabby cat, Chloe.
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Dana Carvey (Pops) The "SNL" alum has had some experience in vocal acting, voicing animated characters on "The Fairly OddParents" "Hotel Transylvania 2," and "Rick and Morty." In "Pets," he plays the elderly Basset Hound, Pops.
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Hannibal Buress (Buddy) The stand-up comic already contributed his voice in this year's "The Angry Birds Movie," and now continues his animated streak as dachshund Mel.
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Jenny Slate (Gidget) The "Obvious Child" actress is notable for her dynamic vocals, having voiced characters in "Zootopia," "The Lorax" and "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On," a collection of short films she co-created. Slate's voice can now be heard through the white Pomeranian Gidget.
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Albert Brooks (Tiberius) Though Brooks is known for his roles in "Defending Your Life" and "Drive," one of the actor/director's most famous turns comes from voicing Marlin in Pixar's "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory." In "Pets," Brooks continues to utilize his voice as the red-tailed hawk Tiberius.
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Tara Strong (Sweet Pea) A professional voice artist, Strong has been in multiple Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network shows, from "The Powerpuff Girls" and "The Fairly OddParents" to "Teen Titans." In "Pets," Strong provides the voice of the parakeet Sweet Pea and other additional characters.
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Chris Renaud (Norman) The co-director of "The Secret Life of Pets" lent his voice to the "Despicable Me" movies and the "Minions" spinoff. Renaud makes a cameo in "Pets" as the guinea pig Norman.
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From Louis C.K.’s Jack Russell Terrier protagonist to Kevin Hart as villainous bunny Snowball, there’s a whole pack of Hollywood stars bringing Illumination Entertainment’s animated movie to life
Louis C.K. ("Max") Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.