Minecraft is considered one of the most popular video games in the world as it allows players to create and explore its open-world format. Not only is the game fun to play but its easy controls make the game accessible for players of any age. During gameplay, players can test their critical thinking skills to solve problems. In fact, the game teaches important teamwork and leadership skills as players interact with the virtual world together.
After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros., the video game to film adaptations are going through a resurgence in Hollywood. With a new Minecraft movie set to release next year, hopefully, Warner Bros. can continue the momentum and create another video game adaptation that rids the stigma of Hollywood not being able to turn good video games into good movies.
The Revolving Door of Directors
In February 2014, Minecraft’s creator Markus Persson first announced a Minecraft movie when Warner Bros. asked Mojang Studios to develop the project. Due to various changes throughout its development, it would take Warner Bros. a decade before they finally finished the film.Ultimately, the production of the upcoming Minecraft movie wasn’t a simple process as Warner Bros. struggled to find its director before they chose Jared Hess. Best known for directing 2004’s Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, Hess may be the right fit for the director’s chair.
Regarding these popular movies, Hess has the potential to turn this zany game into a fun action-packed blockbuster smash. As previously mentioned, the Minecraft movie had other directors who were picked before Hess was chosen as the director. Originally, Rob Elhenney from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was to direct the movie and was even paid $150 million to do so. However, when Warner Bros. found a new leader, they no longer wanted McElhenney’s Minecraft movie and discarded it.
Before Rob Elhenney, Warner Bros. would seek out Shawn Levy to be the director. From there, Levy would pitch the idea to create an adventure film similar to the Goonies. Unfortunately for Levy, Mojang Studios would denounce the idea altogether as it was their right being that they owned the Minecraft franchise.
Minecraft’s Star-Studded Cast
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Since the Minecraft movie was filmed in New Zealand, it made sense for Warner Bros. to grab Oscar-award winner, Grant Major, as their production designer. Considering that Major won an Oscar for his work on Lord of the Rings, he may be the best person for the job of bringing Minecraft to the big screen.
Although director Peter Sollett and screenwriter Allison Schroeder were attached to the film, they would leave the project in 2022. However, the film’s production continued when Hess would take the director position, and actor Jason Momoa was added to the cast. Moreover, further casting took place between May 2023 and January 2024.
Specifically, actor Matt Berry from the British sitcom, Toast of London, would join the cast. In November of that same year, actress Danielle Brooks from the television series, Orange is the New Black and young actor, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, would star alongside Berry. Lastly, Emma Myers from the comedy horror series, Wednesday, was also brought on board.
The First Video Game Musical Film?
What’s more? The legendary actor and musician, Jack Black, would tease his involvement in the upcoming Minecraft movie on Instagram. To round out the cast, popular actresses Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Coolidge and actor Jamaine Clement will be a part of the film as well but their roles are currently unknown.
According to Danielle Brooks, there may be a song or two included in the upcoming Minecraft movie as she and Black are both accomplished singers. With Brooks’ performance in The Color Purple and Black’s role in School House Rock, it would make sense for Warner Bros. to tap into both singers’ talents to bring an extra flare to the Minecraft movie with an epic song.
Minecraft Hindered From Outside Interference
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s influence on how movies were released that year, Warner Bros. had no choice but to delay the film. Not to mention that the Minecraft movie was stated to come out around the same time as The Batman, so pushing it back to avoid direct competition was probably the right call for Warner Bros.
Although original reports stated principal photography for the movie would begin on August 7th, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike would delay filming. After the strike ended, they would begin filming again the following year in mid-January in Auckland.
A Non-Narrative Driven Plot
Since the Minecraft game isn’t narrative-driven, the movie’s plot is unknown as it has no source material to build its story. So, with no source material, what type of story would the film tell to attract audiences unfamiliar with the game it’s based on? Basically, the movie can be whatever Warner Bros. wants it to be as the game’s open-world concept allows freedom of creativity, which played a part in the game’s popularity.
Although Telltale Game’s Minecraft features story elements, it doesn’t mean that the movie adaptation will tell the same story. As told from rumors on the internet, the movie may follow a young girl and her friends having to battle against the evil Ender Dragon, who is one of the main enemies found in the game’s End Dimension.
The Minecraft Movie Official Release
As of now, a trailer for the Minecraft movie hasn’t been announced yet as filming just recently ended on April 11th. Yet, Warner Bros. had announced its release date in April 2025. Therefore, fans of the game can expect a trailer to drop about six months before the movie’s official release.
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