Who created the Despicable Me media franchise?

Sergio Pablos created the Despicable Me media franchise. The Spanish animator and screenwriter developed the original concept from a story called Evil Me, centered on a villainous character who would eventually become Gru.

Pablos took the project to Universal Pictures, where it was developed into the first Despicable Me film. Although other creators shaped the finished movie, including screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, and producer Chris Meledandri, Pablos is credited as the franchise’s creator and as the source of its original story.

This distinction causes frequent quiz confusion. Cinco Paul wrote the screenplay with Ken Daurio, while Pierre Coffin co-directed the film and voiced many of the Minions. Chris Meledandri produced the movie and founded Illumination, the studio behind the franchise, but he did not create the original concept.