Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 10 Episode 51 Steve Carell Talks Taking On Dual Roles in the New Animated Feature Film 'Despicable Me 3'

Steve Carell has been a household name for many years, from his breakout role on the hit television show The Office to his roles in films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine, and Foxcatcher. But one of his most iconic roles has been as the voice of Gru in the Despicable Me franchise. Now, in the latest installment of the series, Despicable Me 3, Carell takes on the challenging task of playing not only Gru but also Gru's long-lost twin brother, Dru.

In this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers, Carell sits down with Travers to talk about the transition from playing just one character to playing two and how he approached the task of distinguishing between the two roles. Carell reveals that he was initially hesitant about taking on the dual roles, but he was excited by the challenge and the opportunity to work with the talented team at Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind the Despicable Me films.

Throughout the interview, Carell reflects on the origins of Gru and how he and the filmmakers worked to develop the character over the years. He also discusses the process of creating Dru, who is the complete opposite of Gru in many ways. Carell explains that he approached Dru as a character who has lived a privileged life and is not used to having to work hard or face challenges. This gave him a chance to explore a different side of himself as an actor and to bring a new energy and dynamic to the film.

Travers and Carell also dive into some of the themes of Despicable Me 3, including the idea of family and the importance of finding your own path in life. Carell talks about how Gru and Dru's relationship evolves over the course of the film and how it reflects the complexities of sibling relationships in real life. He also discusses the film's focus on female empowerment and the role that Lucy, Gru's wife, plays in the story.

As the episode comes to a close, Carell reflects on the experience of making Despicable Me 3 and how it has been a joy to see the reactions of audiences of all ages to the film. He also hints at his future plans and teases that he has some exciting projects in the works that he can't wait to share with his fans.

Overall, this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers offers a fascinating insight into one of the year's most anticipated animated films and the talents of one of its key stars. Carell's candid and engaging demeanor makes for a delightful interview, and fans of the Despicable Me franchise are sure to be thrilled to hear his thoughts on the latest installment in the series.