UNIVERSAL’S presentation at CinemaCon on Wednesday committed a significant amount of time to the studio’s Illumination Entertainment projects, announcing that Benedict Cumberbatch will star in the new animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” film, which is set to hit theaters Nov. 10, 2017.

    Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri also revealed that South Park co-creator Trey Parker, who has not done voice work in anything other his own projects, will voice the new villain in “Despicable Me 3.” The character, called Balthazar Bratt, is a former child star who is obsessed with the character he played in the 1980s. Plus, Steve Carell will voice both his main character Gru and Gru’s charming twin brother in the latest installment, which centers on sibling rivalry. The film is set to bow June 30, 2017.

    Meledandri also announced that a new short titled “Mower Minions” (starring the lovable gibberish-talking creatures) will play ahead of “The Secret Life of Pets” in theaters.

    He spoke about the company’s upcoming animated films, including “Secret Life.” “Our filmmaking aspiration is simple: to put smiles on people’s faces,” said Meledandri.

    Universal made custom content for its CinemaCon presentation Wednesday, debuting the first trailer for “The Girl on the Train” and a new “Jason Bourne” trailer.

    “We know that 2015 is a very tough act to follow,” said Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Pictures, reflecting on the studio’s recording-breaking year. “But we’ve always played the long game.”

    Universal presented the first trailer from Tate Taylor’s “Girl on the Train” starring Emily Blunt, a dark drama about a troubled woman who thinks she witnesses a murder while riding the train. (SD-Agencies)