The Donkey from Shrek has been named the UK’s favorite film sidekick, according to new national research, which was commissioned by Showcase Cinemas UK.
The character, who is voiced by Eddie Murphy in the Shrek film series, took 25 percent of the vote, pipping competition from the Despicable Me Minions (16 percent) and The Lion King favorites Timon and Pumba (15 percent), according to nationwide research carried out by Showcase Cinemas.
The study, which was commissioned to celebrate the release of Despicable Me 4, also revealed Brits most wish they could be a sidekick to James Bond (16 percent) – with second and third going to UK film favorites Harry Potter (15 percent) and Captain Jack Sparrow (14 percent) in a close fought contest.
The likes of Chewbacca (Star Wars) (14 percent), and Back to the Future’s Dr Emmet Brown (12 percent) filled the top ten displaying many Brits are suckers for the classics, with Minions from Despicable Me (16 percent) being the most modern sidekick to make the list.
The survey revealed two-thirds of Brits (66 percent) wished they had minions, like Gru does, in Despicable Me at their service, with nearly eight in ten (78 percent) Gen-Zers wanting to have minions at their service – the highest of any age group.
Elsewhere, Brits think that business tycoon Elon Musk would be most likely real-life business leader to employ minions to work for him (20 percent) with former US President Donald Trump coming a close second (18 percent).
Jon Dixon, UK marketing director at Showcase Cinemas said, “Donkey from Shrek is an enduring fan favorite in households throughout the country, and there’s no doubt he would be a great sidekick to have. It comes as no surprise to see Minions finish second in the UK’s favorite film sidekicks with the loveable yellow workers being so well loved.”