Despicable Me 2 Is Universal’s Most Profitable Film Ever

According to NBC Universal’s Steve Burke, Despicable Me 2 is set to become the most profitable film in the studio’s history.Praising the studio’s relationship with Illumination Animation just ahead of Universal’s next major joint venture–with Legendary Pictures–Burke said that the Steve Carell-led sequel will be “the single most profitable film in the 100 year history of Universal Studios,” Deadline reports.The film, made for under $80 million, has gone on to generate more than $300 million at the U.S. box office–only the second film this year to do so (after Iron Man 3). Worldwide, its tally is closing in on $700 million, making it the year’s second-biggest film both domestically and worldwide. It opened against–and steamrolled–Johnny Depp’s The Lone Ranger, which has turned out to be one of the year’s biggest disappointments.A prequel is set for next year, with Gru’s minions serving a different supervillain this time–this one played by Sandra Bullock.