Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate is a 2024 American animated superhero comedy film directed by Eric Fogel from a screenplay by Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons. A sequel to Megamind, the film stars Keith Ferguson, Laura Post, Josh Brener,[a] Maya Aoki Tuttle, Emily Tunon, Talon Warburton, Scott Adsit, Chris Sullivan, Tony Hale, Jeanine Mason and Adam Lambert. It serves as a pilot for the television series Megamind Rules!.
| Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate | |
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 Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Eric Fogel |
| Written by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by |
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Production company | |
| Distributed by | Peacock |
Release date |
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Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Unlike its predecessor, Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate was produced by DreamWorks Animation Television. The film was released on Peacock on March 1, 2024. It received negative reviews from critics.
Premise
Megamind, now assuming the role of Metro City's defender, assembles a new team to stop his former evil teammates' villainous plans from launching Metro City to the moon.[1]
Cast
Main
- Keith Ferguson as Megamind, a blue-skinned, humanoid alien supervillain-turned-superhero with a large cranium. Ferguson reprises his role from the video games, but replaces Will Ferrell from the original film.
- Laura Post as Roxanne Ritchi, a strong-willed news reporter who becomes Megamind's love interest. Post replaces Tina Fey from the original film.
- Josh Brener as Ol' Chum, a talking fish who has been Megamind's sidekick and best friend since childhood and was originally named Minion. Brener replaces David Cross from the original film.[2] In universe, it is revealed that he changed his name after a cease-and-desist from Mr. Minion's Meatsicles.
The Doom Syndicate
- Maya Aoki Tuttle as Keiko Morita
- Emily Tunon as Lady Doppler
- Talon Warburton as Lord Nighty-Knight
- Scott Adsit as Pierre Pressure
- Chris Sullivan as Behemoth
- Tony Hale as Mel/Mr. Donut
- Jeanine Mason as Christina Christo
- Adam Lambert as Machiavillain
Supporting
- Roger Craig Smith as the Mayor of Metro City [citation needed]
- Michael Beattie as Eccentric Eddie
- Eric Fogel as Polly 227
- Todd Haberkorn as Big King Fish
- Eric Murphy as Blue Mackerel
- Joey Rudman as Red Snapper
Production
Development
In April 2011, DreamWorks Animation's then-CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg, commented that the studio did not have plans to produce future movie-genre parodies like Megamind (2010), Monsters Vs. Aliens (2009) and Shark Tale (2004) or sequels to these, saying that these films "all shared an approach and tone and idea of parody, and did not travel well internationally. We don't have anything like that coming on our schedule now".[3]
In February 2022, it was announced that Peacock had ordered DreamWorks Animation Television to produce a spin-off series titled Megamind’s Guide to Defending Your City. In August of that year, it was confirmed that the storyboarding had concluded and that the show had entered production. [citation needed]
In February 2024, DreamWorks Animation Television revealed a trailer for Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate, with Keith Ferguson, Laura Post, Josh Brener, Maya Aoki Tuttle, Emily Tunon, Talon Warburton, Scott Adsit, Chris Sullivan, Tony Hale, Jeanine Mason and Adam Lambert as part of the main cast. Ferguson replaced Will Ferrell as the voice of Megamind, Post replaced Tina Fey as the voice of Roxanne and Brener replaced David Cross as the voice of Minion. Alongside the film, Peacock also revealed that the previously announced television series, retitled from Megamind's Guide to Defending Your City to Megamind Rules!, would serve as a follow-up to the film and be released the same day.[4]
The concept of the Doom Syndicate was originally from an early version of the first film,[citation needed] but they were scrapped from the movie and instead were reused for the 2010 tie-in video game Megamind: Ultimate Showdown. Although the group made their return in Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate, the group members differ from the ones in the video game, as Behemoth and Lady Doppler are the only two characters who were originally from the early version of the first film seen in the book The Art of Megamind.
Animation
The animation was provided by 88 Pictures, with production services by Doberman Pictures.
Release
Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate was released on Peacock on March 1, 2024, alongside the first 8 episodes of Megamind Rules! [1]
Reception and controversy
Pre-release
Upon its release, the film's trailer was met with criticism aimed at the animation and plot, while others criticized the absence of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and David Cross in the film. The film's trailer especially disappointed fans who had been waiting 14 years for a sequel. [5]
Critical response
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 0% based on 5 reviews with an average score of 3.5/10.[6]
In a two out of four star rating for RogerEbert.com, Nell Minow states the film "is intermittently funny and briefly heartwarming, as though they ran the original through the washing machine a few times, and then faxed it."[7]
Notes
- ^ They replace Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and David Cross respectively.
References
- ^ a b Mantilla, Ryan Lewis (February 1, 2024). "Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate Trailer Sets Peacock Release Date". ComingSoon. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Minion Voices (Megamind)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Lieberman, David (April 26, 2011). "DreamWorks Animation Pins Hopes On 'Kung Fu Panda 2′ After 1Q Earnings Fall Short". Deadline. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
- ^ Peralta, Diego (February 1, 2024). "New 'Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate' Trailer Presents the New Hero's Next Challenge". Collider. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ Billings, Kevin (February 3, 2024). "Megamind 2 trailer leaves fans disappointed at straight-to-streaming sequel". ClutchPoints | Entertainment News. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Minow, Nell. "Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate movie review (2024) | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
