Universal Pictures had announced that the new ‘Despicable Me 2’ will hit theaters in the States on July 3, 2013. The trailer had its worldwide digital debut as a global exclusive on iTunes on October 31, 2012. This marked the first time in Universal’s history that the studio has released a trailer worldwide on iTunes, with international versions available on the same day. The trailer for the 3D-CG comedy adventure is available exclusively on iTunes Movie Trailers (trailers.apple.com), the iTunes Movie Trailers App (www.itunes.com/appstore) and iTunes (www.itunes.com) via worldwide podcast in 155 countries and seven languages.

“Despicable Me is one of the most beloved and successful films in our studio’s history,” said Simon Hewlett, Executive Vice President, International Marketing, Universal Pictures. “With this global trailer launch of Despicable Me 2 on iTunes, we are pleased to give moviegoers across the world a first look at this incredibly anticipated motion picture.”

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster ‘Despicable Me’ entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in ‘Despicable Me 2’.

Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions…and a host of new and outrageously funny characters. Find out more at www.despicable.me

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Universal City, U.S.A. — Universal Pictures announced that the studio has reached the $1 billion mark at the domestic box office, three months earlier than at any time in history.  The previous record was set during the weekend of November 7, 2008 with films that included ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘The Incredible Hulk’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’. This will be the seventh time Universal has reached this milestone.  With five films yet to be released in 2012, the studio is on track to have its highest-grossing year ever at the domestic box office, a record also set in 2008.

Universal’s 2012 success at the North American box office has been fueled by a strong slate of films including five that became No. 1 (‘Contraband’, ‘Safe House’, ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ and ‘Ted’), two that grossed more than $200 million (‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ at $214 million and ‘Ted’ at $203.6 million*) and two that grossed more than $100 million (‘Safe House’ at $126.4 million and ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ at $153.8 million*).  Universal is one of only two studios so far this year to have two films that have grossed more than $200 million domestically.  Currently, Universal has four of the 15 top grossing films of the year, more than any other studio.

Other Facts:

Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ was the highest opening for an animated film in 2012 ($70.2 million) and the highest-opening film for Universal this year.

As the breakout comedy hit of the summer, ‘Ted’ set a new record for the highest opening for an original R-rated comedy in history ($54.4 million) and is well on its way to becoming one of the all-time highest-grossing R-rated comedies ever.

The studio’s February hit ‘Safe House’ was Denzel Washington’s second biggest opening of his career and his second highest-grossing film ever.

Universal Pictures International passed $1 billion at the overseas box office on July 17, also setting a new studio record.

This week, Universal will release the next chapter in the studio’s hugely popular espionage franchise, ‘The Bourne Legacy’. In October comes the new out-loud comedy ‘Pitch Perfect’ and the action-thriller ‘The Man With the Iron Fists’ arrives in November. Universal will close out 2012 with two films in December: ‘Les Miserables,’ the motion-picture adaptation of the global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the world, and ‘This Is 40,’ the latest comedy from writer/director Judd Apatow.

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Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment and The Nature Conservancy announced on February 17, 2012 the launch of their environmental action campaign “The Lorax Speaks.”

The project aims to start a movement that generates support and awareness to save one of the planet’s most endangered tropical forests.  The Atlantic Forest in Brazil once spanned 330 million acres and has been reduced to a mere 7 percent of its original size.  The Forest is home to more than 2,000 animal species and approximately 20,000 species of plants, many of which can only survive in this Forest.  The Nature Conservancy’s “Plant a Billion Trees” (www.plantabillion.org) is a campaign to restore Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

People are invited to customize their Facebook profile pictures to help raise awareness for “The Lorax Speaks” project.  In addition to spreading awareness, there is an opportunity for people and groups to make direct contributions to The Nature Conservancy to help plant trees in this threatened Forest.  The app is available on the official Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Facebook page (www.facebook.com/theloraxmovie).

The movement was started by a generous donation from Universal Pictures, as well as support from the Audrey S. Geisel Dr. Seuss Foundation, Seventh Generation, HP, Mazda and IHOP, to The Nature Conservancy’s “Plant a Billion Trees” campaign.

“As we bring Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax to filmgoers, it remains crucial to honor the spirit in and the message of Dr. Seuss’ timeless book,” said Josh Goldstine, President of Marketing, Universal.  “Through this donation to The Nature Conservancy, we hope to further a conversation among the audience about serving as stewards of our environment.”

Illumination Entertainment Founder and CEO Chris Meledandri said: “Since 1971, Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Lorax’ has brought awareness to the precarious state of the environment.  His message is more important today than ever.  The Atlantic Forest in Brazil represents a microcosm of the Lorax’s story, and there is not a lot of time left before it disappears forever.  It has always been a goal of mine to utilize the massive reach we achieve through marketing a film to inspire social action.”

“This exciting partnership goes to show that bringing back the splendor of one of the world’s great forests is not an idea confined to the imagination of Dr. Seuss, but something that people everywhere can do now—by helping plant a billion trees in Brazil—to ensure a future in which the lungs of the Earth are healthy and thriving,” added Sarene Marshall, Managing Director of the Global Climate Change Team, The Nature Conservancy.

Facebook fans will be encouraged to “speak for the trees” by personalizing their profile pictures with custom Truffula Trees from the film.  They will join the cast of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax—Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Rob Riggle and Betty White—in pledging their support.  The reforestation efforts will be helmed by The Nature Conservancy in a way that is ecologically sound and economically advantageous to the local population through its “Plant a Billion Trees” campaign.

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