Will ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Be a Blockbuster or a Total Flop?

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If you were to toss a pickaxe in Hollywood today, chances are you’d strike a dozen video game adaptations currently being developed as TV shows and films. Each one is aiming for the same goals – critical praise, box office revenue, or increased subscriber numbers from existing fan bases. However, it’s a precarious bet: Will they turn into a ‘Borderlands’ movie failure or a ‘Last of Us’ success story?

In the coming month, the trio of Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Microsoft will be prospecting for cinematic riches by presenting an innovative take on movie adaptations from video games – titled “The Minecraft Film.

For those unfamiliar, “Minecraft,” owned by Microsoft, is an open-ended game where players are transported into a fantastical realm known as the Overworld. This vibrant universe appears as though it’s constructed from stackable building blocks or voxels. Unlike traditional games, there’s no scripted narrative or prescribed method of play: Players have the freedom to create items, design structures, battle various creature-like enemies, form bonds with animals, and delve into islands crafted by other gamers. Essentially, it’s like playing with Legos in a limitless world.

In this style of game, each player has the freedom to control characters and create unique storylines, which makes it incredibly appealing due to its high degree of customization. Consequently, when “Minecraft” is adapted for the cinema, every fan will have a distinct idea of what they’re going to see based on their personal experiences within the game, making the movie experience highly individualized.

As a passionate movie enthusiast putting words to the screen, I’d rephrase it as: “I, a dedicated fanatic, am proudly titling this film ‘A Minecraft Movie‘. This is because we are mindful that the game doesn’t revolve around one specific narrative.

As the director, I, Jared Hess, am stating that our work isn’t the ‘official’ narrative. We’re not aiming to sanctify any aspects. Instead, we’re contributing just one of countless stories out there.

The game “Minecraft” has earned its place among gamers of all ages, largely due to its appeal among tweens. Maintaining a child-friendly atmosphere was crucial for Microsoft in the movie adaptation, and “A Minecraft Movie” indeed features stars like Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, along with Emma Myers and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, as a group of unlikely heroes who are magically transported into the imaginative blocky universe. In this world, they are guided by Jack Black, portraying an expert craftsman named Steve.

If diehard gamers aren’t satisfied with the film adaptation of the game, they won’t hesitate to express their disappointment. The group of influential business figures involved in the project admit that the movie is an attempt to blend a traditional narrative with a player-controlled game. If successful, “A Minecraft Movie” could spawn numerous sequels or spinoffs. However, if unsuccessful, it might resemble “Halo,” the critically panned Showtime series based on another significant Microsoft game franchise, which was canceled last year after two expensive seasons.

If hardcore gamers don’t like the movie version of their favorite game, they won’t hold back their criticism. The people behind the project say it’s an attempt to combine a regular storyline with a game where you control the action. If it works, there could be many more movies made. But if it doesn’t, it might turn out like “Halo,” a TV series based on another popular Microsoft game that was poorly received and eventually canceled.

Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming, explains that their company is open to experimentation as both Hollywood and gaming industries influence each other. He states, “We’re picking up knowledge and expanding our skills during this exchange, which makes us more certain that we should take on more projects.” Spencer continues, “From creating ‘Halo’ to ‘Fallout’, we’ve gained valuable insights. These experiences are cumulative, and while some attempts won’t be successful, the Xbox community can expect to see more of these ventures because we’re growing in confidence and learning along the way.

Since its debut in 2011, developed by Mojang Studios based in Sweden, “Minecraft” has climbed to the top as the best-selling video game ever, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide. In 2014, Microsoft acquired Mojang for a whopping $2.5 billion.

Approximately the same period saw Mojang begin work on bringing “Minecraft” to the cinema. The film, which is due for release on April 4, has been in development for over a decade and has had three different directors before Legendary, WB, and Microsoft chose Hess, who directed “Napoleon Dynamite.” With significant investments at stake because of the worth of the “Minecraft” franchise to Microsoft, as well as Hollywood’s recent successes in adapting games like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) and series such as HBO’s “The Last of Us” and Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of “Fallout,” owned by Microsoft, the success of “A Minecraft Movie” is crucial to maintain the trust between Hollywood and video game publishers regarding satisfactory adaptations. A failure could potentially undermine the progress made in this area.

The production of “A Minecraft Movie” initially began under the leadership of director Shawn Levy, known for “Deadpool & Wolverine”. Later in 2015, it was passed to Rob McElhenney, the director from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. By 2019, Peter Sollett, famous for “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, took over. The question is, what were the factors that propelled “A Minecraft Movie” towards cinemas?

For Jesse Ehrman, head of Warner Bros Pictures, Hess’ unique perspective stood out. He had a firm grasp on what resonated with “Minecraft” players and parents alike. As Ehrman explains, “Imagine someone who can be amusing to young audiences, yet sophisticated enough for mature viewers. Jared is one of the few who fits that bill. When you consider ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ it was fresh, rebellious, and hilarious, but it was still suitable for all ages.

Legendary Entertainment, with its keen eye, onboarded Hess into their team, significantly accelerating the project over a decade post-WB’s initial loss of “Minecraft” rights. As for the quirky aspects of “Minecraft,” such as piglins and llamas, they are part of what makes it so engaging – a testament to its unique charm. Legendary’s executive emphasized that tone was crucial, and they believed Hess, with his distinctive understanding of tone, would be ideal in guiding this adventure.

Kayleen Walters, head of Microsoft Gaming’s franchises and Mojang Studios, remembered her early interviews with potential writers and directors, focusing on their understanding of the game. Although Hess could passionately discuss the intricacies of his 10-year-old daughter’s block constructions (“Dad, I made this fantastic hotel, but it’s inhabited by wolves!”), he wasn’t a Minecraft veteran. However, it was Hess’ broader perspective on what set the franchise apart that caught Walters’ attention. “Though his knowledge of ‘Minecraft’ wasn’t as extensive as other applicants,” she said, “Hess’ unique personality stood out, and we wanted to collaborate with him.

As a cinephile, I must admit my initial skepticism when I heard about Jack Black taking on the role of Steve in the upcoming Minecraft movie. After all, Black was brilliant in Hess’s absurdist comedy “Nacho Libre,” but the notion of him as Steve raised some eyebrows among dedicated Minecraft fans. However, Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Mojang’s senior director of original content, seems unfazed by the critics. In an intriguing twist, Ólafsson explains that the character was initially conceived as a talking pig and was only late in development when they decided to transform it into Steve due to the need for an expert and host.

Ólafsson reassures us that this isn’t just any Steve or our Steve; it’s Jack Black’s Steve. Some fans were taken aback when they saw the first teasers and trailers, commenting, “Hold on a minute – this is just Jack Black, not Jack Black playing someone else.” Perhaps they have a point, as this Steve is none other than Black himself, embodying his interpretation of the character and its meaning to him.

Interestingly, Steve (apparently) holds great significance for Black, who immersed himself deeply into his role during filming. On set, Ólafsson provided Xboxes for trailers and established personal “Minecraft” servers for the actors and crew to enjoy leisurely gaming. Black soon became the most ardent enthusiast among them, investing over 100 hours in playing “Minecraft.”

It’s worth noting that Steve seems to matter quite a bit to Black. While filming, Ólafsson equipped Xboxes for trailers and created exclusive “Minecraft” play areas for the cast and team members. Black soon emerged as the most dedicated player and logged more than 100 hours playing “Minecraft.

Ólafsson remembers him as being utterly preoccupied, amassing items in the mines for the sake of finding lapis lazuli due to its unique sound. “He continually asked if he could discuss lapis lazuli in the film,” he noted, referring to these vivid-blue gemstones that are significant within the game.

In a short while, Black will have an opportunity to experience himself within the game and collect all the lapis lazuli he wants, for Microsoft is introducing characters from “A Minecraft Movie” into the game as playable avatars starting March 20th.

Microsoft, Legendary, and Warner Bros. are set to evaluate the success of “A Minecraft Movie” in various ways, primarily focusing on box office revenue and increased interest in the game. However, Ólafsson has a unique perspective on its success; he’s looking at a metric that resonates with millions of parents who will accompany their gamers to the cinemas.

If my kids believe I didn’t botch it,” he says, “that’s the goal for me. Because that’s what they’ve been telling me throughout our journey. My 18-year-old son, a child of ‘Minecraft,’ has begged me, ‘Please, just don’t let them mess this up.’

He states, “If attending a 10-year-old’s birthday party doesn’t result in me being looked down upon, mocked, or met with collective disapproval, then I believe I have achieved my goal.

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2025-03-19 21:18