Since the continents were all combined as Pangaea, the Minions have existed and lived to serve a despicable master - or so says the trailer of 2015's 'Minions'. The spin-off from the highly popular 'Despicable Me' franchise focuses on the most iconic supporting characters of modern animation in a film of their own. 

The Minions first emerge from the sea
According the film, the Minions have existed for longer than mankind

'Minions' brings Pierre Coffin back once again as the voice of the Minions themselves - specifically Kevin, Bob and Stuart; the protagonists of 'Minions'. Moreover, Coffin serves as the film's director, as he did with the first two and the 2010 short film, 'Minion Madness'. 

Watch the trailer for 'Minions' here:

The film follows a tribe of the little yellow creatures as they search for a master, often leading to said master's destruction. Over the years, the group accidentally knock a dinosaur into a volcano, unintentionally drop a pyramid on a pharaoh, fire a cannon at Napoleon by mistake and unwittingly expose Count Dracula to sunlight. As you may have gathered, they are fairly accident-prone. 

The Minions gaze in awe at their first master
The film covers the entire history of the Minions and their various masters

But as Kevin, Bob and Stuart set out on a journey to find a new leader for the tribe, their adventure takes them to New York City, where they arrive at around 1968 - just in time for the super-villain convention. From here, they try to gain the recognition of Sandra Bullock's Scarlet Overkill in order to become her own personal minions.

Kevin the Minion
Director Pierre Coffin voices the Minions

Despite being in production since 21st August, 2012, the spin-off was announced at the end of 'Despicable Me 2' in a fourth-wall-breaking sequence in which the characters of Kevin, Bob and Stuart 'auditioned' for their part in the film. The movie was set to be released on 19th December, 2014, but due to the success of 'Despicable Me 2''s summer opening, the film was pushed back to 10th July, 2015, by Universal Pictures.

More: Despicable Me 2: Where Do The Minions Go From Here?

The Minions serving Napoleon
Throught the film, the Minions serve a dinosaur, the ancient Egyptions, Napolean and Dracula

The Minions with a dinosaur
'Minions' will be released on 10th July, 2015