Russell Brand is ‘axed from his big-money role in the Despicable Me film series and replaced by a beloved British comic after rape and sexual assault allegations’

Russell Brand was reportedly axed from the Despicable Me film series after being hit by allegations of rape and sexual assault.

The disgraced comedian, 49, previously voiced the character scientist Dr Nefario in the animated film series, but for the fourth installment, was replaced by comic Romesh Ranganathan.

Last year a Dispatches documentary on Channel 4 exposed allegations of sexual assaults during the height of Russell’s fame, as part of an investigation with The Sunday Times and The Times.

A source told The Sun: ‘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.’

Despicable Me 4, which hit cinemas last month, stars Steve Carell, 61, and Will Ferrell, 57, and so far it’s grossed £590million worldwide and £31million in the UK. 

In October 2023, Russell faced serious accusations from a series of women, including rape and sexual assault when four women made allegations. 

The comedian has strenuously denied wrongdoing, and says he has evidence to refute allegations.

The controversial comedian has retreated to his countryside Oxfordshire bolthole in recent months after being questioned by police twice in relation to allegations of rape.

Since December he has posted a number of videos and pictures on social media in which he has discussed his relationship with Christianity.

After the rape and sex assault claims came to light, Brand appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he referenced the allegations he faces and the ongoing police and investigations several times.

Speaking on Carlson’s broadcast, Brand said: ‘I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms. I am aware I have put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous.’

‘Attacks like this, accused of what I consider to be the most appalling crimes, is very painful and hurtful. But there are consequences to the foolish way I lived in the past,’ he continued.

The disgraced comedian previously voiced the character scientist Dr Nefario (pictured) in the animated film series

For the fourth film, Russell was replaced by fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan

Brand described the crimes he’s accused of as ‘appalling’ before adding criticism he faces is a ‘deliberate profound attempt to shut down any dissent in an astonishingly aggressive way’.

Brand has been questioned by detectives from London’s Metropolitan Police over allegations of historical sex offences.

The force said in September it had launched an investigation into a number of allegations of non-recent sexual offences following media reports that women had accused Brand of a string of sexual assaults.

Brand has rejected what he has described as ‘very serious allegations’, saying on his social media channels he has never had non-consensual sex. There have been no charges brought in the UK.