Though rather small, we do have our first look at the posters for Hop and The Lorax, as well as what appears to be the cover of a novelization of Despicable Me.  The link between the three films is Illumination Entertainment, a production studio headed by Chris Meledandri, one of the minds behind Ice Age (check out Steve’s interview with the man here).  You can find more information on each project after the jump.

Hop is a live action/CGI hybrid about a slacker who injures the Easter Bunny, and is forced to take him in as “the world’s worst houseguest.”  Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek) stars as the Easter Bunny, while James Marsden (X-Men) co-stars as the slacker.  The pair will be joined by Kaley Cuoco, Elizabeth Perkins, and Chelsea Handler (among others) in some capacity in time for the April 1, 2011 3D release.

The Lorax is an adaptation of the 1971 Dr. Seuss book that’s part childrens’ literature, part environmental message.  With a targeted release of March 2, 2012, the picture is still far enough away that not much is known except to expect a 3D rendering.

Meanwhile, Despicable Me hits theaters on July 9, 2010 with a voice cast of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Danny McBride, Miranda Cosgrove, Jack McBrayer, Mindy Kaling, Jemaine Clement and Julie Andrews.  Here’s the official synopsis:

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn.  Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout.  Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world.  He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!).

Gru delights in all things wicked.  Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way.  Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.  One of the world’s greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

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