After the Minions became instant fan-favourites four years ago in Despicable Me, it couldn’t have been too tough a decision for Illumination and Universal to decide to give them a shot at solo stardom.

The original story takes them back to their days before meeting Steve Carell’s Gru, bringing us a whole new supervillain in the form of Sandra Bullock’s Scarlet Overkill.

The animated spin-off hits cinemas next summer, and we’ve got the great first trailer to share to whet your appetites.

The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation.

Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud return to voice the titular Minions, with Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm leading the new line-up alongside Hiroyuki Sanada and Jennifer Saunders.

Coffin (Despicable Me) is directing alongside Kyle Balda (The Lorax), with Brian Lynch (Puss in Boots) writing the script.

Minions is set to be released in 3D on June 26th, 2015 in the UK, following soon after in the US on July 10th.

Click the images to enlarge.