Megamind is an American media franchise created and owned by DreamWorks Animation, which began with the 2010 animated film of the same name written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons. The franchise follows the adventures of a supervillain named Megamind who suddenly gets a chance to defend Metro City from the forces of evil after the superhero Metro Man retires.
The film tells the story of Megamind, a highly intelligent alien supervillain who becomes depressed after finally defeating his nemesis Metro Man. He creates a new superhero from Metro Man's DNA, but must become a hero himself when the new "hero" becomes a much more dangerous villain than he ever was.
The film was written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons.[2] It was first titled Master Mind, and then Oobermind.[3] It was suggested that Ben Stiller would be cast as Megamind,[4] and later Robert Downey Jr.[5] but Will Ferrell was ultimately given the role, due to "scheduling conflicts" for Downey.[1][6]
In February 2024, a sequel film was announced to be released exclusively on Peacock on March 1, 2024.[8]
Short film
Megamind: The Button of Doom (2011)
Megamind: The Button of Doom is a 2011 animated short film directed by Simon J. Smith and written by Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, released on DVD/Blu-ray with Megamind on February 25, 2011, starring Will Ferrell and David Cross. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and Pacific Data Images, the short sets after the events of the film to show off Megamind's first day as Defender of Metro City.[9][better source needed]
On February 11, 2022, it was announced that Peacock had ordered a CG animated series from DreamWorks Animation Television serving as a follow-up to the film, originally titled Megamind's Guide to Defending Your City. The series chronicles the new hero's quest to become a social media influencer and a true superhero. The original writers of the film, Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, are signed on as executive producers with Celebrity Deathmatch creator Eric Fogel. JD Ryznar is co-executive producer and story editor.[10]
On August 5, 2022, Simons confirmed that the show's writing was completed and production was moving forward.[11]
After signing a licensing deal with Dreamworks in 2010, the comics publisher Ape Entertainment produced a five-issue Megamind comics series titled DreamWorks' Megamind: Bad. Blue. Brilliant (2010–2011).[23]
^In the installments consisting of Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate and Megamind Rules!, Minion has had his named changed to Ol' Chum.
^In the Megamind video games, the character of Destruction Worker is male and does not appear with a real name. In Megamind Rules, the character is female and is known as Carla Magucci.
