Illumination Sets Release Date for Louis C.K.-Starring ‘The Secret Life of Pets’

By Darryn King | 04/17/2015 6:47 pm | 10 Comments

Concept art from "The Secret Life of Pets." (Click to enlarge.) — Concept art from “The Secret Life of Pets.” (Click to enlarge.)

The Secret Life of Pets, originally slated for release next February and starring the voices of Louis C.K. and Kevin Hart, will open July 8, 2016, Universal and Illumination announced today.

The film credits suggest a promising amount of inbreeding in the Illumination kennel and a bunch of Despicable DNA specifically: it will be directed by Chris Renaud (co-director of Despicable Me and The Lorax) and Yarrow Cheney (production designer of Despicable Me and The Lorax), with a script by Despicable Me franchise regulars Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul and Minions writer Brian Lynch.

According to earlier announcement, C.K. (whose real surname is Székely) will play Max, a beloved terrier rescue whose cozy Manhattan lifestyle is rudely interrupted by a sloppy mongrel named Ken and an adorable evil bunny named Snowball.

Illumination’s next project with Universal, Minions, is set to open on July 10, 2015.