What Is The Scientist From Minions? All About Dr. Nefario

If you’re a Despicable Me franchise fan, you’ve noticed a quirky character in the background — the scientist. Named Dr. Nefario, this character represents the classic mad scientist archetype with his bald head, white lab coat, and signature jetpack. But who is the scientist from Minions, though? In other words, what’s his backstory, his role in the series, and why does he matter? In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about this brilliant character. 

Who Is Dr. Nefario?

Joseph Albert Nefario, most commonly referred to as Dr. Nefario, is one of the two protagonists of the Despicable Me franchise. He is Gru’s loyal right-hand person and the mastermind behind his high-tech weapons and machines.

Appearing in Despicable Me (2010) and its sequels, Dr. Nefario quickly became a fan favorite. Despite his old age, Dr. Nefario becomes a key figure in helping Gru carry out villainous plans through his exceptional scientific skills. 

How Did He Meet Gru and Join the Team?

The intimate relationship between Dr. Nefario and Gru is explained in the movie Minions: The Rise of Gru. Set in 1970, Gru was only 12 years old, and he expressed his desire to become a famous villain by applying to join The Vicious 6. His ambitious attitude and smart tactics catch the attention of Dr. Nefario. At that time, this guy was working behind the scenes.

Instead of ignoring him, Nefario offered Gru one of his early gadgets. It was a prototype rocket-powered bike, helping Gru finish his missions more easily. This gift marked the first step in establishing their long-term partnership. 

What Is His Personality Like?

When it comes to exploring more about Dr. Nefario, this character is described as a mix of mad scientist, grumpy grandpa, and loyal sidekick. 

Here are some major takeaways about his personality you may not want to miss:

• Loyal: Dr. Nefario is Gru’s best friend, who is willing to rescue him. He has a very high respect for Gru and even believes he is the greatest villain in the world. That is why he always stands by Gru no matter what.

• Intelligent but weird: There is no doubt that Dr. Nefario is a genius. He can invent everything from shrink rays to jelly guns. Besides, his eccentricity with many crazy ideas makes him both unpredictable and hilarious.

• Hard of hearing: One of the funniest facts about Dr. Nefario is his hearing problem. He often misheard conversations, leading to hilarious misunderstandings. For example, when Gru asks for a dart gun, and he delivers a fart gun instead.

• Dislike being unproductive: Dr. Nefario thrives on productivity, dedicating all his time to inventing various gadgets and weapons to aid in Gru's crimes. When Gru gives up villainy, Dr. Nefario still works for other villains.

What Has Dr. Nefario Invented?

It’s no exaggeration to say that Dr. Nefario is Gru’s indispensable right-hand person. Alongside his enduring loyalty toward Gru, his brilliant mind has created many ingenious inventions throughout the Despicable Me franchise. 

So, what has Dr. Nefario invented? Below is a list of his most memorable creations. 

Signature Gadgets

• Freeze Ray: One of the most iconic projects created by Dr. Nefario is the Freeze Ray. This is a handheld device that can instantly freeze any object in front of its path. The Freeze Ray has been widely used by Gru in many heists. 

• Fart Gun: Needless to say, the Fart Gun truly reflects Dr. Nefario's eccentric sense of humor. This is a quirky weapon designed to confuse enemies with a nasty but powerful spray.

• Shrink Ray: This device can reduce the size of objects or beings down to something as small as an apple. It has practical applications in theft and stealth missions, allowing Gru to manipulate the size of items for easier transport or concealment.

Devices in Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 witnesses Gru transform from a supervillain into a jelly business owner. Dr. Nefario’s role changes too. Not only does he invent weapons, but he also creates many impressive machines. 

• Jelly production machines: These inventions genuinely represent his loyalty toward Gru. Whatever Gru does, Dr. Nefario always stands by him and shows his support. While the results are still questionable, the machines themselves show off his extraordinary talent.

• Anti-gravity serum: Another weird device from Nefario’s collection. This serum is able to make every object, even humans, float uncontrollably. 

• PX-41 support gear: When the villain El Macho uses the PX-41 serum to turn Minions into purple monsters, Dr. Nefario assists Gru in creating the antidote and combating the transformed Minions.

Other Creations

Throughout the Despicable Me movies, Dr. Nefario has designed countless inventions ranging from brilliant gadgets to ridiculous ones.

• Rocket-powered bike from Minions: The Rise of Gru: This was the first gift Naferio gave Gru. This weapon played an essential role in helping Gru escape from the Vicious 6 and marked the first milestone of their close partnership.

• Carbonite freezing chamber from Despicable Me 3: Nefario didn't intentionally create this machine. In a scene that parodies Star Wars, Dr. Nefario accidentally freezes himself in carbonite while experimenting.

• Jetpacks and hover pad from Despicable Me: These signature inventions from Nefario allow Gru and the Minions to take flight during their adventures with ease. Whether it’s for escape, combat, or movement, Nefario’s jetpacks and hover tech proves their top-notch performance.

How Did His Role Evolve Over Time?

It can be easily seen that Dr. Nefario has significantly evolved throughout the Despicable Me franchise. Initially, he is known as Gru’s loyal and ingenious inventor. His role becomes a big part in assisting Gru to finish his villainous plans.

However, in Despicable Me 2, Nefario faces a moral crisis when Gru decides to become a family man with his jelly business. Before returning to Gru with his devoted loyalty and friendship, this eccentric scientist temporarily departed. Over time, Dr. Nefario dramatically develops into a more caring character. He can now take full advantage of his genius ability to accompany Gru through his journey of redemption.

Who Voices Dr. Nefario?

Dr. Nefario was originally voiced by Russell Brand. This British actor perfectly captured a mix of wit and quirky charm in the character. Unsurprisingly, thanks to Brand’s charismatic voice performance, Nefario became one of the most memorable characters of such a classic franchise like Despicable Me.

However, the remarkable journey between Russell Brand and Dr. Nefario came to an end in 2022, after 12 years. Romesh Ranganathan then took over this role in Despicable Me 4.

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