George Lucas returns to the big screen in ‘Minions and Monsters’ role

George Lucas is popping out of his semi-retirement for a role in a blockbuster franchise. No, he’s not returning to his roots with Star Wars. Instead, he’s diving into Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions universe.

On June 19, the AP reported that Lucas has a voice role in the upcoming Minions and Monsters, about the Minions trying to hunt down the perfect monster for their own kaiju movie. Given that the film takes place partly in 1920s Hollywood, it makes sense that Illumination would seek out a cameo from a legendary director. But how did they land on Lucas, who stepped back from blockbuster filmmaking after selling Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012?

In an interview with Collider, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri revealed that Lucas got involved in Minions and Monsters due to his own minions fandom.

“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 told Collider.

From there, Meledandri wondered if he could bring Lucas aboard for the latest Minions-centric film.

“An idea for a character came up out of the story, and so I said to [director] 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?'” Meledandri recalled. “And they’re like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I had no idea, but I got such a fast yes.”

Lucas recorded his lines with Coffin, who also serves as the primary voice of the Minions, in Paris. But according to Meledandri, Lucas’s role in the world of the Minions may not be done.

“I saw him recently, and he’s already talking to me about the role he wants to do next in the next Minions movie,” Meledandri said.

Minions & Monsters opens in theaters July 1.