While the plot for Despicable Me 2 has been mostly kept under wraps, the sequel’s new trailer does introduce us to a pair of new characters – uptight Agent Lucy Wilde (voiced by Kristen Wiig) and straightlaced Ramsbottom (is that Steve Coogan?) - and their just-as-uptight-and-straightlaced-occupation – working for the Anti-Villain League. It appears that a new villain has surfaced (a joke that’s much funnier when you consider that the AVL is set up under the sea) and they need Gru’s (Steve Carell) help to get into the mind of the new baddie. Which might be a bit more tough than they were expecting, because Gru’s girls have made him more of a softie than ever… Hey, at least there are fun gadgets! Learn all about lipstick tasers and little swimming cars after the break.

Pardon our confusion, but aren’t the minions of Despicable Me fame getting their own feature? (The answer is yes, they are, in 2014.) So why then is this first full-length trailer for Despicable Me 2 so minion-focused? Why are we watching approximately two minutes of two minions talking in their minionspeak, being silly, finding themselves terrified by furry creatures, and maybe (just maybe!) getting abducted by aliens? Is this plot of this film such a closely guarded secret that we can’t even see the vast majority of the project’s most recognizable non-minion lead characters? Well, perhaps. We actually don’t know much about the plot of Despicable Me 2; even its official logline only tells us that the film is “an all-new comedy animated adventure featuring the return of Gru (Steve Carell), the girls, the unpredictably hilarious minions…and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.” Dare to dream that means Jason Segel and his tiny toilet are set to return. Watch the minions get (maybe?) abducted by aliens after the break.

What is Movie News After Dark? It’s the nightly movie news column that other movie news websites read for tomorrow’s news… Editor’s Note: The original header image from this edition of News After Dark was not for public viewing, as we found out later. We were asked to take it down by Warner Bros. And since we’d rather show you really cool stuff, here’s a Bane art piece by alicexz. We begin this evening with what appears to be a very unhappy Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. It’s another promo image to follow last week’s release of Catwoman’s ass-tacular costume. My guess is that Warner Bros. has simply given up on the marketing of this one, as they seem to be just letting raw materials out. Then again, if you had to follow-up with the incredible marketing campaign behind The Dark Knight, you’d probably throw in the towel, too. Luck for them, everyone is already going to see TDKR. Just because.

Couple of questions for you: are you full up on adorable teaser trailers for the day after that charming Frankenweenie spot? Or do you have room in your heart for more cute? Have you missed the minions? Fine, that’s three questions, but they’re all applicable. Universal Pictures and Illuminations Entertainment’s Despicable Me came out of nowhere in 2010 to become a charming box office smash. Who knew that an animated film about a super-villain who adopts three tiny orphans as part of one of his evil super-villain plans would end up being so sweet, touching, and funny? Not me. I had no idea. And then I cried in the first film – I cried. So yes, I would like the inevitable sequel to come out right about now. But we won’t be getting it until next summer. So, until then, sate your desire for villainous hijinks, peppy minions who speak their own wacky little language, and perhaps more music than you’re expected with the most teaser-iffic of teaser trailers for Despicable Me 2. It’s an all-minion affair, so be warned.

What is Movie News After Dark? It’s a nightly column about movie news. That is all. We begin this evening with a look at Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby in Dredd, the revival of the Judge Dredd franchise. First impressions: Karl Urban’s helmet is huge and Olivia Thirlby needs more leather. Or something along those lines. Either way, it’s a good conversation starter.