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Russell Brand was reportedly dropped from the Despicable Me film series after being accused of rape and sexual abuse.
The disgraced 49-year-old comedian had previously lent his voice to the character of scientist Dr. Nefario in the animated series, but was replaced by comedian Romesh Ranganathan in the fourth part.
Last year, a Channel 4 Dispatch documentary uncovered allegations of sexual assault dating back to the height of Russell’s fame as part of a Sunday Times and Times investigation.
A source told The Sun: “It’s a shock that Russell is no longer involved in the Despicable Me films as he has been a fixture since the first one.”
“Plus, when Romesh took on the role, there was little fanfare from either Universal or the comedian himself. It seems like the film executives just wanted to make a quick change without anyone really noticing.”
Russell Brand has reportedly been dropped from the Despicable Me film series after allegations of rape and sexual harassment were made against him
Despicable Me 4 was released last month and stars 61-year-old Steve Carell and 57-year-old Will Ferrell. So far, the film has grossed £590 million worldwide and £31 million in the UK.
In October 2023, Russell faced serious allegations from a number of women, including rape and sexual assault, when four women came forward.
The comedian strongly denies any wrongdoing and says he has evidence to disprove the allegations.
The controversial comedian has retreated to his rural retreat in Oxfordshire in recent months after being questioned by police twice in connection with rape allegations.
Since December, he has posted numerous videos and images on social media discussing his relationship with Christianity.
After the allegations of rape and sexual assault came to light, Brand appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he repeatedly referred to the allegations against him and the ongoing police investigation.
On Carlson’s show, Brand said: “I refute the allegations in the strongest possible terms. I am aware that I have put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous.”
“Attacks like this, where I am accused of the most heinous crimes, are very painful and hurtful. But the foolish way I have lived in the past has consequences,” he continued.
The disgraced comedian previously lent his voice to character scientist Dr. Nefario (pictured) in the animated series
For the fourth film, Russell was replaced by fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
Brand described the crimes he was accused of as “appalling”, but added that the criticism he faced was a “conscious and profound attempt to silence any dissent in an astonishingly aggressive manner”.
Brand was questioned by detectives from London’s Metropolitan Police on suspicion of previous sexual offences.
Police said in September they had launched an investigation into a number of allegations of sexual offences that were not recent. Media had previously reported that women had accused Brand of a number of sexual assaults.
Brand has denied what he calls the “very serious allegations” and said on his social media channels that he has never had consensual sex. No charges have been brought in the UK.
