Despicable Me (franchise) rival, to shrink and steal the Earth's moon. "Despicable Me" received positive reviews, and grossed over $543 million worldwide, against a budget of $69 million, launching a new franchise. A sequel, "Despicable Me 2", released on July 3, 2013, was once again directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, and written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Steve Carell, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher reprise their roles as Felonious Gru, Dr. Nefario, Margo, Edith and Agnes respectively. Kristen Wiig, who voiced Miss Hattie in the first film, voices Lucy Wilde, an agent of the Anti-Villain League
Steve Carell received widespread critical acclaim, earning Carell a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, making it the second film starring Carell to be nominated for the award, with "Little Miss Sunshine" being the first. He next starred in Woody Allen's "Café Society" (2016), alongside Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg. In 2017, Carell headlined the biographical comedy-drama "Battle of the Sexes", portraying tennis star Bobby Riggs, with Emma Stone co-starring as Billie Jean King. In 2018, Carell starred as father David Sheff whose son Nic (played by Timothée Chalamet)