Steve Carell

Steve Carell

Steve Carell thinks parents will be able to relate to 'Despicable Me 2'.

The actor returns as the voice of loveable reformed villain Gru in the animated children's sequel - in which the character is seen raising his three daughters after giving up his career as a criminal mastermind - and he thinks Gru's difficulty adjusting to his new life as a parent will strike a chord with many mums and dads who take their kids to see the film.

He explained to Collider.com: "The tone of it is the same as the first one, but the family is different. That dynamic is different, and he's no longer officially a villain. And not to make too fine a point on it, because you don't want to over analyse the movie, but there are certain things that struck me about the story. One is that Gru is looking, he's searching for what's he's going to do. He thinks he's going to start a jam and jelly business, and that doesn't seem to be working out.

"He can't go back to being a villain, but ultimately he needs something that will fulfil him, which is a very relatable thing for parents, because when you do have kids, I found, it becomes all about the kids, and it's very easy to lose your sense of self within that. You do have to keep your career and that side of it intact, because ultimately that makes you a better parent as well."

'Despicable Me 2' is in cinemas now.