Universal Studios Hollywood is about to showcase its new 3D movie motion simulator ride, Minion Mayhem, inspired by the film Despicable Me.

After the first two films in the movie franchise grossed more than $1.5bn (€1bn £909m) worldwide - with a third planned for 2017 - this will be the second ride Universal has dedicated to the film and is due to open 10 April.

The Hollywood Minion Mayhem theme park – which is double the size of the
initial Orlando Ride – comes complete with its own fictional enclave called Super Silly Fun Land and will replace the Terminator 2 3D theatre.

“The ride’s exterior environment will feature even more thematic and colourful creative touches that will literally place park guests inside Gru’s world,” said Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury.

The main character of the film, Gru, transforms visitors into the popular minion characters in his laboratory, during a 3D movie in a motion simulator, to fulfil his latest evil plan.

“The seats are very highly articulated. They rise up perfectly choreographed with the action on the screen and we have lots of 4D effects such as wind, water and laser lights,” says project director and producer Jon Corfino.

As Riders weave through loops and avoid water cannon, Gru’s recruitment experiment becomes a celebration when his adopted daughters appear in a hovercraft and the mastermind abandons his vengeful scheme.

The original Despicable Me ride was unveiled in 2012 at Universal Studios Orlando in place of Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast.