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