Minions & Monsters director Pierre Coffin has finally addressed a disturbing fan theory that the Minions once worked for Adolf Hitler, telling the fan who asked: 'Shame on you!' The seventh entry in the Despicable Me franchise is now in cinemas, and Coffin was prompted during a promotional interview to respond to the theory, which has circulated online for years.
The Theory and the Director's Response
Speaking to Polygon, Coffin acknowledged the question with a mix of humor and exasperation. 'I knew you were going to ask me that question. Shame on you!' he said. The theory stems from the Minions' established behavior of seeking out the most evil masters throughout history, leading some fans to speculate they must have served the Nazi dictator.
Coffin initially dodged by referencing Minions lore from the 2015 film Minions, where the characters hide in a cave from 1812 to 1968. However, he conceded that multiple Minions tribes exist, leaving room for ambiguity. He then firmly denied any connection: 'So the Minions that we know from Minions 1 were stuck in the cave. These ones, I don’t know where they were, but they were not part of the Big History.'
About Minions & Monsters
The new film follows a fresh tribe of Minions based in 1920s Hollywood. After accidentally crashing a film set, they become silent movie stars, but the advent of talkies ends their glamorous lifestyle. According to the official synopsis: 'Destitute and aimless, the Minions roam the streets of Hollywood looking for a purpose…and a new evil master to serve. Our heroes James and Henry break away from their tribe, fall in love with making movies, and summon monsters using a spellbook from an evil sorcerer. Chaos ensues as they must save the world from rampaging monsters.'
The Minions first appeared in 2010's Despicable Me, serving supervillain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell). They have since starred in three spin-off films: Minions (2015), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), and now Minions & Monsters (2026).
Impact and Fan Reactions
Coffin's comments have sparked discussion among fans, with many relieved that the director dismissed the Hitler theory. The franchise has sold over $4.6 billion worldwide at the box office, and the Minions remain a cultural phenomenon. Minions & Monsters is now showing in UK cinemas.
