Balthazar Bratt

Lore & Background

Balthazar Bratt was a child star in the 1980s, starring in the show *Evil Bratt*. After the show was canceled, he grew up to become a supervillain obsessed with the character he once played. His schemes are driven by revenge against Hollywood for canceling his show. In *Despicable Me 3*, Bratt steals the Dumont Diamond from a Paris museum, prompting the Anti-Villain League to send Gru and Lucy Wilde to recover it. Bratt escapes capture, later stealing the diamond again to power a giant robot intended to destroy Hollywood. He kidnaps Gru's adopted daughters—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—after disguising himself as Lucy and following the family back to Freedonia. Bratt's final confrontation with Gru involves a dance fight, where Gru steals his weaponized keytar to defeat him and sends him floating away in bubble gum. Bratt is ultimately arrested by the AVL.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the volcano lair hummed with the static of a vintage synthesizer. Balthazar Bratt adjusted his neon-yellow jacket, the sleeves flaring as he raised a freeze ray toward the captured security guards. "You think you're so modern," he cackled, his voice dripping with theatrical flair. "But I am the king of cool!" Outside, the wind howled, but inside, the glow of CRT monitors bathed the room in a nostalgic blue light as Bratt prepared to launch his latest scheme against a world that had long since moved on.

Reader's Guide

Balthazar Bratt operates as an independent supervillain with no formal organization, driven by personal vendettas and a desire for recognition. His leadership style is chaotic and self-centered, often making decisions based on impulse rather than strategy. Unlike larger groups, Bratt relies on his own resources and a small team of henchmen who are equally obsessed with 1980s culture. His primary conflict arises from his resentment toward Gru, whom he views as a symbol of the new generation that overshadowed him. Bratt's schemes often involve high-tech gadgets designed to freeze or trap opponents, reflecting his signature style. The Minions find themselves caught in the crossfire, struggling to adapt to Bratt's unpredictable and nostalgic methods. Bratt's goals are less about global domination and more about personal validation. He seeks to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with, even if it means clashing with Gru and his family. His eccentricity makes him a unique challenge, as traditional tactics often fail against his unpredictable nature.

Did You Know?

• Balthazar Bratt is voiced by Trey Parker, who accepted the role to have a work he could watch with his infant daughter.
• Parker compared Bratt to Kirk Cameron, who 'got really religious, and he just seemed so pissed,' and considered imitating Cameron for his performance.
• Bratt's show, *Evil Bratt*, was canceled years ago, which motivated his revenge against Hollywood.
• Bratt disguises himself as Lucy Wilde during his last attempt to steal the Dumont Diamond, also kidnapping the girls after following Gru, Dru, and Lucy back to Freedonia.
• Bratt is defeated when Gru steals his weaponized keytar and sends him floating away in bubble gum.