In the 3-D animated film “Despicable Me,” Jason Segel voices the character of Vector, who is in a fierce battle with a character named Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) to become the greatest villain in the world. The two rivals try to outdo each other to the point that the safety of the world may be at stake.

Segel discussed his experience making the film at a “Despicable Me” press conference in Los Angeles. Segel also talked about what the future may hold for his character in the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.”

Can you tell us what it’s like to play such a delicious villain?
I was given a sketch very early, and I have a bit of a background in puppetry. So coming up with a voice to match this sketch I was given was my real inspiration. I had a few months to come up with a voice, and I came up with a few and I went in and they helped me choose. These guys are such geniuses. The one they ended up choosing was perfect.

Obviously, you look nothing like your character, but did you see any mannerisms that they picked up from you?
I’m going to answer that question two-fold. One, I was very excited, the whole thing that drew me to doing an animated film is that you’re freed from the physical limitations of your physical body. All of a sudden you get to be something that has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a 6′ 4″, kind of lumbering dude. And that was really exciting; puppetry is very similar. And then this guy is based almost wholly on insecurity. He just wants to prove to his dad that he’s worthy, in this case the most evil person alive.

So I kind of drew from there. It was very freeing. I think for all of the cast, you’ll probably notice, that nobody is doing their voice. Steve, myself, Russell [Brand], Julie [Andrews] — no one is talking like they normally talk and it’s because all of a sudden you’re freed from the physical limitations of how you look, which is amazing.

Vector kind of looks like Bill Gates …
He does a bit like Bill Gates, yeah! Continue reading…

Steve Carell gives an ever-expanding heart and heavily accented voice to the (initially) despicable villain Gru in the new animated film, Despicable Me. When we first meet our hero, er, villain, Gru’s having a bad, bad day. He’s just found out he has lost his title of World’s Best Villain to some newcomer named Vector (Jason Segel) and he’s not one to settle for second place. Vector bested Gru by stealing a giant pyramid from Egypt, so Gru hatches a plan to regain his title by stealing something treasured by every nation. The moon.

Being the important bad guy that he is, Gru has an army of minions and a mad scientist sidekick, Dr. Nafario (Russell Brand) at his disposal. When their combined best efforts fail to help Gru capture the shrink-ray gun he needs to pocket the moon, Gru adopts a trio of adorable orphans to (unwittingly) help him with the heist. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher) are the three sisters from the Home for Girls, run by Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig), whom eventually make Gru realize that being super bad isn’t half as rewarding as being a super dad.

Despicable Me is as sunny as it’s minions are bright yellow. There are plenty of jokes for the adults, a cleverly placed “Formerly Lehman Brothers” sign will go over the kids’ heads, but there are also kid-friendly characters and gags that all ages will embrace and enjoy. Young Elsie Fisher steals the show with some spot-on improvised lines, like when she sees the stuffed unicorn of her dreams and squeals, “It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!” But what will keep you bouncing along throughout the movie and for hours after is the music. Grammy Award-winning artist (and my fellow Virginia Beach native) Pharrell Williams brings the whole movie together with a number of Gru-vy original songs and a score he completed with Heitor Pereira.

LAist recently sat down with Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Miranda Cosgrove, who shared with us what it’s like to become a character that’s only three-dimensional when you’re wearing special glasses. They also gave us some tips on what fans of the T.V. shows they each star in (“The Office,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “iCarly,” respectively) can expect in upcoming seasons. Continue reading…

I can’t embed the video here on the site, so you will have to head over to about.com to watch it, but you can read a transcript of the interview below:

Transcript: Jason Segel Interview – Despicable Me
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the World Premiere of Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me.

Jason Segel – The Voice of ‘Vector’ in Despicable Me
Hi Jason, how are you doing?

Jason Segel: “I’m great – how are you?”

I’m pretty good.

Jason Segel: “This is About.com.”

Yeah.

Jason Segel: “It’s my favorite website.”

You always get interviewed by us, and you’re always great. And we love you, too.

Jason Segel: “Thank you.”

But now you’re playing a bad guy? Continue reading…

Funnyman Jason Segel has starred opposite Hollywood stars such as Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother), but he’s still holding out for one special woman. And judging by his pick, he must have a thing for political powerhouses in bright pantsuits.

The Despicable Me star tells iVillage exclusively that his ideal leading lady is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “I just feel like she’s tough, but if you break through it, there’s probably something very soft and sweet inside,” Segel explains, with a hint of sarcasm. “And she’s hilarious….She’d be great at physical comedy.”

In his new animated comedy, Segel plays the evil villian, which he admits was a fun change. He showed his lovable side as Paul Rudd’s crazy best friend in last year’s hit comedy I Love You, Man. So who would Segel choose for his own real-life bromance? “I think I’d pick that Harry Connick, Jr.” he says. “He seems like he’d be fun!”

Watch our exclusive video interview to find out how Segel’s music background helps his acting, and hear the hilarious story of how he once embarrassed his big brother at summer camp.

Read More http://www.ivillage.com/jason-segels-dream-costar-hillary-clinton/1-a-216547#ixzz0tmX2xScV

According to Deadline.Com the is already a second Despicable Me film in the works.

Despicable Me is the first Universal film in a while where the studio doesn’t have to defend the costs and first dollar gross outlays. The film was made for $69 million with little or no gross out the door. It is a fresh IP with a sequel already in the works: Despicable Me 2 talks are already underway among the studio, Meledandri, and writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio.

There’s no word on any stars that are returning at this point or even if the film gets off the ground, but with $57 Million in its first weekend the film is already well on the way to making back its budget, lets not forget international box offices as well as DVD sales, the film could be looking at well over $100 Million and easily make back double its budget. We’ll keep you all updated.