What Happened to Vector After ‘Despicable Me’?

‘Despicable Me’, which premiered in 2010, quickly captured global audiences and demonstrated that new animation studios could rival industry giants like Disney and Pixar. While Illumination Entertainment was relatively unknown before this success, its reputation soared with ‘Despicable Me’, and it has continued to rise in prominence.

Although the minions and the film’s heartwarming story were major draws, one standout character was Vector, portrayed by Jason Segel. Vector, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and sporting glasses, expertly balanced the line between a bumbling fool and a genuine threat. However, his fate remained uncertain after the first film, leading fans to speculate whether he might return in future instalments.

Image Courtesy: Screen Rant

When viewers first meet Vector, he is introduced as the arrogant, wealthy son of the President of the Bank of Evil, Mr. Perkins. Despite his impressive gadgets, including the infamous Piranha Gun, Vector’s attempts at villainy are largely ineffectual. As the film progresses, his character evolves, showing that he can be quite formidable with his advanced technology. Nevertheless, his quest to steal the moon ends in defeat, leaving him stranded there.

For a long time, Vector’s last canonical appearance was on the moon, where he was seen dancing with minions. Despite this, Vector’s story seemed to end there, with no mention in the subsequent films or the ‘Minions’ spin-offs. However, 2023’s ‘Migration’ and its accompanying short film, ‘Mooned’, revived interest in Vector. In ‘Mooned’, Vector’s comedic attempts to escape from the moon lead to his unexpected arrival on Mars, humorously illustrating his ongoing misadventures.

Image Courtesy: CBR

While Vector’s return in ‘Despicable Me 4’ is limited to a brief cameo, where he is shown as a prison inmate, this appearance suggests the possibility of his return in a larger capacity. As the franchise continues to evolve with new villains and storylines, many fans hope for Vector’s comeback, which could offer a satisfying continuation of his character’s journey and provide a fitting narrative arc for the beloved villain.

–Farheen Ali