During the 2026 Super Bowl, Illumination and Universal Pictures didn’t just drop a trailer, they dropped a bombshell. The third installment of the spin-off franchise, officially titled Minions & Monsters, is taking us back to the 1920s and 30s Golden Age of Hollywood.
But there’s a catch that has fans in a tailspin, for the first time in the series, the iconic trio of Kevin, Stuart, and Bob are no longer the stars of the show.
Meet the New Trio: James, Henry, and Ed
In a bold move to refresh the $5 billion franchise, the spotlight is shifting to a brand-new trio of yellow troublemakers named James, Henry, and Ed.
While the “original three” (Kevin, Stuart, and Bob) have been the face of the brand since 2015, Minions & Monsters focuses on these three new aspiring filmmakers who move to Hollywood during the silent film era.
Why the Change?
According to industry insiders, the move is less about “firing” the old trio and more about expanding the Minion Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Timeline Logic: Since this is a prequel set in the 20s/30s, it allows Illumination to explore different Minion personalities before they met Scarlet Overkill or Gru.
Supporting Roles: Don’t panic—Kevin, Stuart, and Bob do appear in the trailer, but as supporting characters. It seems they are passing the banana to a new generation of leads.
Universal has moved the release date up an entire year to take over the July 4th weekend. Minions & Monsters hits theaters worldwide on July 1, 2026.
Are you ready to embrace James, Henry, and Ed, or is it Kevin, Stuart, and Bob forever?