ILLUMINATION Entertainment founder Chris Melandandri and Steve Carell, the voice of Gru in “Despicable Me,” on Wednesday got the Universal slate presentation at CinemaCon underway with new footage from “Despicable Me 3.”

    The offering included clips during which Gru meets his brother, Dru (also voiced by Carell); Gru and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are fired from their jobs; the Minions land in prison; Agnes (“Fluffy!”) brings the cute; ’80s-inspired villain Balthazar Bratt (South Park-co-creator Trey Parker) steals a gem; and an action sequence takes place on Hollywood Blvd.

    “I think Gru is the best character ever in the history of cinema,” enthused Carell. “There’s a humanity to these movies ... and they’re funny, and I think that’s part of the appeal.”

    Melandandri said when the brothers first meet in the film, Gru realizes the only difference is that Dru has flowing blond hair. “Men without hair are outcasts,” said Carell. “It weighs in business and romantic entanglements — so your heart really goes out to Gru. ”(SD-Agencies)