Gru and Minions urge handwashing, fun at home in new coronavirus public service announcement

(Reuters) - Gru and the popular yellow Minions from the animated “Despicable Me” movie franchise are urging people to keep their distance to help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus in a new public service announcement unveiled on Wednesday.

Illumination, the animation studio behind “Despicable Me,” developed the PSA with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Foundation.

The PSA is voiced by actor Steve Carell as Gru and will be translated into multiple languages including Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic, among others.

In the minute-long PSA, Gru urges people to wash their hands regularly and keep physical distance, find fun things to do at home such as dancing and cooking a new dish, and to be kind to others.

“At this challenging time, we must find all ways possible to provide hope to people while sharing advice that can protect our health,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a statement.

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Tom Brown

Meet Sandra Bullock's character in 'Minions'

Universal and Illumination Entertainment on Tuesday have released a second trailer for the upcoming "Despicable Me" spin-off film, which takes the trio of minions named Kevin, Stuart and Bob to the "largest gathering of super villains anywhere."

Basically a continuation of the first trailer that revealed the origins of the yellow henchmen, the new two-and-a-half minute clip introduces Sandra Bullock's character and main villain of the movie, Scarlet Overkill.

"Scarlet Overkill has fantastic hair, wears great clothes and has a lethal uppercut," said producer Chris Meledandri, head of Illumination Entertainment in a report on USA Today.

"When we turn her loose on the world, she is going to come out standing on top," he added.

Joining the award-winning actress as part of the voice cast of the film are Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney and Steve Coogan.

"Minions" is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2015.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Minions give Christmas greeting

It seems that the Minions from the "Despicable Me" franchise share the same love we have for Christmas.

Last week, the adorable yellow critters came up with their own version of the classic "Jingle Bells" to spread some holiday cheer ahead of their spin-off film next year.

As of writing, the clip, which has been uploaded by several users on their respective channels on YouTube, has been viewed more than 3 million times. "Minion" is set to hit Philippine theaters in July 2015.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Minions can speak Filipino?

MANILA, Philippines – A video of the minions, the yellow creatures of the animated hit “Despicable Me,” speaking in what sounds like Filipino, has gone viral on social media.

In the 48-second video, a group of minions are trying to replace a lightbulb, and netizens swear they uttered Filipino words like “narito na” and “ikot.”

The video, which posted by Trivia Mania on Saturday, received more than 10,000 and elicited more than 600 comments. It was also shared more than 9,000 times.
“Minions use a bit of Spanish, English, French, Greek, Korean, Japanese, and even Filipino,” the post said, as it explained why viewers can understand some of the words.

It also quoted the movie’s producer John Cohen as saying, “A lot of times it sounds like it’s gibberish, a lot of times you hear a little bit of French. You hear all kinds of languages being incorporated into the way they speak.

“And then occasionally, you hear a word or two of English, or that sounds like English, that gives you a sense of what the minions are actually saying.”

Interest in the cartoon characters has been boosted by the upcoming release of the second “Despicable Me” movie and an ongoing promotion by fast-food giant McDonald’s, which is offering plastic Minion toys as part of its Happy Meals.

According to a report by the Philippines Star, several McDonald's branches in Manila have ran out of Minions and fans to travel to farther locations to complete the set.

ABS-CBNnews.com couldn’t find the popular toys at the McDonald’s branch beside its office.

Quezon City resident Manjo Jiordolin gave a tip to the Philippine Star on where more minions can be found.
"Sa naghahanap ng minion happy meal, Mcdo-Banawe (yung tapat ng ortho) magbubukas sa July 1. Baka may stock sila since reopening," he said.

McDonald's made the toys available simultaneously this month in 17 countries to promote the worldwide premiere of “Despicable Me 2.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com