Sandra Bullock has signed on to voice the lead villain for Universal Pictures' Despicable Me spin-off Minions. The Oscar-winning actress will play Scarlet Overkill, who aspires to become the world's first female super-villain in the 1960s, before the Minions met Gru.

The story establishes that the Minions have been around since the beginning of time, providing their services to the world's most dastardly super-villains. These loveable characters have fallen on hard times, with no more villains to serve, causing them to fall into a depression. Three of the Minions set out to find a new master at a villain convention, where they meet Scarlet Overkill, who has plans to dominate the world.

Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda are directing the feature from a screenplay by Brian Lynch. Christopher Meledandri and Janet Healy will produce through their Illumination Entertainment company. Executive producer Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin will provide the voices of the Minions. No production schedule was given, although we reported in November that Universal has issued a December 19, 2014 release date.