DESPICABLE ME 2 “Despicablimp” Takes Flight On March 23

©Universal Pictures, Suzanne Hanover

Universal Pictures announced today that it is launching the enormous DESPICABLE ME 2 “Despicablimp” in support of Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming 3D-CG comedy adventure, which will be released on July 3, 2013.

The Despicablimp is one of the largest airships in the world at 165-feet long, 55-feet high and 46-feet wide, and is one of only 15 flying today.  The blimp will travel approximately 20,000 miles, crisscrossing the country three times over the course of its six-month journey and will have multiple stops across the continental U.S.  Making its first appearance over the Nickelodeon 2013 Kids’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 23, the gigantic Minion can be seen over hundreds of events across the U.S., including:

• Telemundo’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, Miami, FL – April 25, 2013
• The Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY – May 4, 2013
• The Despicable Me 2 World Premiere, Hollywood, CA – June 22, 2013

The Despicablimp may be tracked in real-time via GPS at the Despicablimp Command Center (www.despicablimp.com).

Fans can tweet sightings of the blimp or post photos to Instagram or Flickr using #despicablimp (twitter: https://twitter.com/despicablimp) to see it featured on the site, and participate in weekly prize giveaways. Visitors to the site can also enter for a chance to win a trip for four to the Hollywood world premiere of DESPICABLE ME 2 and get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the blimp!

©Universal Pictures, Suzanne Hanover

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.

With a host of new and outrageously funny characters, the sequel stars the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Al Pacino, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Nasim Pedrad, Moises Arias, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, and Steve Coogan.

From original DESPICABLE ME directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, the 3D-CG comedy adventure will be in theaters July 3, 2013.

Visit the official site: http://www.despicableme.com/

“Like” on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/DespicableMe

Follow on Twitter: @DespicableMe