This theme is reinforced by Dru’s struggles to find his place within the family and his eventual acceptance of his role as a supportive brother and uncle[1][3].
Additionally, Dru represents the idea of redemption and second chances. Dru remains a fun tool that the series can pull out in future entries, especially after the character was more or less removed from Despicable Me 3.
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Is Dru In Despicable Me 4?
The following contains spoilers for Despicable Me 4, now playing in theaters
Summary
Dru has a brief cameo in Despicable Me 4's ending.
Many of the advertisements of the film have focused on new additions to the series like the Mega Minions, leaving fans wondering if a reunion between Gru and his brother was being kept under wraps. These abscenes are given an in-universe, explanation, however.
Universal Pictures
Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, Despicable Me 4 is an animated movie sequel marking the fourth main installment and the sixth overall in the popular Illumination franchise.
His character has inspired new storylines and character archetypes, particularly in the realm of animated films.
In contemporary discussions, Dru’s character is often cited as an example of how family dynamics can be explored in creative and engaging ways. When Maxime forces Gru to relocate the minions to a new town, Dru is no longer needed to assist his brother.
While it's impossible to tell why Dru's role was reduced to a glorified cameo in Despicable Me 4, his appearance at the end hints at a potential return in future installments of the expensive Illumination movies.
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Exploring the Extended Family and Minions
The Three Adopted Daughters: Margo, Edith, and Agnes
Despicable Me is centered on the relationship between Gru and his three adopted daughters: Margo, Edith, and Agnes. However, here are some notable ancestors that we know of:
Robert Gru: Gru’s father, who instilled fear with his cunning and diabolical schemes, laying the groundwork for generations of villainy.
Marlena Gru: Gru’s mother, who was more known for her dark influence from behind the scenes.
Ron Gru: Gru’s distant relative and a famous pirate – his seafaring exploits also massively contributed to the family’s grim reputation.
His journey from an aspiring supervillain to a family man reflects the broader narrative of Gru’s transformation from a villain to a hero. Through his interactions with Gru and the girls, Dru learns the value of family and the importance of supporting one another. Dr. Nefario and Marlena Gru similarly appear briefly as cameos at the end of the film.
Dru’s motivations are driven by a need to prove himself as a worthy supervillain, despite his clumsy and often unsuccessful attempts.
One of Dru’s strengths is his ability to form strong bonds with those around him.
Universal Pictures
Although he does appear in Gru's backyard in a non-speaking cameo at the end of the film, it's fair to wonder why Dru doesn't play a larger role in Despicable Me 4.
The film does not immediately pick up after the events of Despicable Me 3.
However, given that Despicable Me is the highest-grossing animated franchise in cinematic history, it likely won't be long before the future of the series begins to take shape. Initially, Dru is eager to learn the skills of being a villain from his brother, despite Gru having abandoned his villainous past to work with the Anti-Villain League (AVL) and later to focus on his family[1][3].
The dynamic between Gru and Dru is central to the film.
His introduction in Despicable Me 3 was seen as a welcome addition, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
However, some critics noted that his reduced role in Despicable Me 4 was a missed opportunity to further explore his character. We’ll also take a closer look at the current Despicable Me family – Gru’s relationships with his adopted daughters Margo, Edith, and Agnes, his wife Lucy Wilde, and his twin brother, Dru.
And, finally, we’ll show you how to create your own family tree with Treemily!
Gru’s Ancestry and Early Life
Not much is known about Gru’s early life as we only get glimpses of his childhood and parents throughout the films.
Gru and his minions join the Anti-Villain League and gain superpowers from AVL Director Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) to rescue Gru Jr. Alas, the Mega-Minions destroy too much property and the plan is aborted.
Gru and his family relocate to a new town and meet their new neighbors, including Poppy Prescott (Joey King), a wannabe supervillain who idolizes Gru.
Poppy and Gru eventually work together to rescue Gru Jr. just before the baby is brainwashed and morphed into a cockroach by Maxime. After Gru helps capture Maxime early in the film, the villain vows vengeance against him and his entire family. Dru doesn't appear until the end of the film, where he appears during a sequence that shows Gru having a party with his loved ones after defeating Maxime.
Why Dru's Role In Despicable Me 4 Is So Small
Despicable Me 4 Explains Why Gru Can't Call Dru For Help
Dru isn't the only supporting character from the Despicable Me franchise who doesn't really appear in the latest entry.
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FAQs
What Is Gru’s Full Name?
Gru’s full name is Felonius Gru (also sometimes spelled as Felonious Gru).
Why Did Gru Adopt Margo, Edith, and Agnes?
Gru’s decision to adopt Margo, Edith, and Agnes was initially driven by selfish motives, as he wanted to use the girls in his plan of stealing the moon.