COMEDIAN Russell Brand has been quietly phased out of the Despicable Me film franchise in the wake of sex abuse allegations.
Brand, voice of scientist Dr Nefario, was replaced in the latest blockbuster by fellow comic Romesh Ranganathan.
It comes after former Big Brother’s Big Mouth host Brand was accused last September by four women of sexual offences including a rape, between 2006 and 2013.
He was then quizzed by police in December over “further” sex offences.
The actor, 49, who denies the allegations, was forced to cancel stand-up gigs and was dropped by his agent.
Brand, who played Dr Nefario in three Despicable Me films — the first two, in 2010 and 2013, and prequel Minions: The Rise of Gru in 2022 — now makes money from his rants on online platform Rumble.
He has 1.4million followers.
A movie insider said: “It’s a shock Russell is no longer involved in the Despicable Me films because he’s been a fixture since the first film.
“Plus, there was little fanfare when Romesh took on the role, neither from Universal nor the comedian himself. It feels like film bosses just wanted to make a quick change without anybody really noticing.”
Universal’s Despicable Me 4, released last month, stars comedy giants Steve Carell, 61, and Will Ferrell, 57, alongside Ranganathan, 46.
The film has so far grossed £590million worldwide and more than £31million in the UK.
