AceShowbiz - George Lucas is set to appear in a movie for the first time in nearly two decades, ScreenRant reports, revealing his involvement in Minions & Monsters, the latest installment in the Despicable Me franchise.

Imdb also confirms that this marks Lucas’ first on-screen acting role since 2005. ScreenRant details that Minions & Monsters is a prequel set about 40 years before the original Minions film, making it the earliest chronological entry in the series. The movie is produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination, with Pierre Coffin returning as both the voice of the Minions and director for the third time. The cast features notable names including Trey Parker, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, and George Lucas himself.

George Lucas, best known for creating the Star Wars saga, retired from blockbuster filmmaking in 2012 prior to selling Lucasfilm to Disney. Since then, he has contributed as an executive producer and story writer on projects like the animated film Strange Magic (2015) and the story of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He is also overseeing the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, expected to open later this year. His return to acting highlights a rare on-screen appearance after years focused on his entrepreneurial and creative legacy.

This unexpected comeback is notable not only because of the long gap since Lucas’ last film role but also because it ties him to a franchise that has generated billions in revenue. His participation in Minions & Monsters signals a new chapter in his career, blending his influence with a beloved animated universe slated for release on July 1, 2024.

This article is based on reporting originally published by ScreenRant.