You hear the instantly recognisable piano chords. You see the familiar sights of Scranton, Pennsylvania. But why does everyone look yellow? Why is there a banana graffitied on the ‘Welcome to Scranton’ sign? It’s because The Minions have taken over The Office as promo ramps up for the upcoming fifth film in the Despicable Me franchise, Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Steve Carell, of course, played Michael Scott in the U.S. sitcom spinoff and also voices Gru. He just lands all the plumb roles. Putting the corporate connection aside – both the film and The Office fall under the NBCUniversal banner – the crossover clip is cute.
The Minions recreate famous moments from the show – they put a stapler in jelly, a huge pot of chilli is dropped to the floor, and a fire drill goes terribly wrong. At the end, Gru proudly shows a trophy that says ‘Big Boss’, instead of Michael’s ‘World’s Best Boss’.
Gru also holds a classic conference room meeting with his excitable workers, showcasing a graph that highlights a massive rise in ‘Evil’ levels. Go team! Bonuses for everyone!
It’s not the only funny mashup that’s been seen as Minions: Rise of Gru edges closer. Earlier this month, Carell submitted an earnest audition tape to join beloved Aussie children’s group The Wiggles, aiming to pull on the hallowed yellow jersey previously worn by Emma Watkins.
Awkwardness ensued, however, when he realised that The Wiggles had already found a replacement for Watkins in Tsehay Hawkins, who joined the lineup last year.
Minions: The Rise of Gru is the sequel to 2015’s Minions. It tells the “origin story of how a 12-year-old Gru first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled,” as the official description says.
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“Growing up in 1970s suburbia, Gru is the devoted fanboy of the supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, so when they oust their leader, Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well.”
Minions: The Rise of Gru is set to hit cinemas on June 23rd.
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