A Minecraft movie has proven to be a box office success, bringing in an estimated $300m (£233m) globally during its opening weekend, despite lukewarm reviews from critics.
A Minecraft Movie has proven to be a box office success, bringing in an estimated $300m (£233m) globally during its opening weekend. The film, based on the wildly popular video game, was heavily delayed but finally hit the big screen on Friday.
The Minecraft movie is an upcoming animated film based on the popular sandbox video game.
The project was first announced in 2014 by Warner Bros. and Microsoft, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller set to direct.
The film's story will be written by Jared Stern and will follow a group of characters as they navigate a blocky world filled with 'danger and adventure'.
The movie is expected to blend live-action and animation elements, but no release date has been officially confirmed.
Behind the Scenes: Star-Studded Cast and Production Budget
The film boasts a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge. Despite being heavily delayed, the movie finally made its way to theaters, with an estimated production budget of $150m. Around half of the film’s global takings came from North America, according to EntTelligence.
The upcoming Minecraft movie has generated significant interest among fans and gamers.
While official casting announcements have been scarce, various actors have been rumored to be in talks for roles.
Some of the most notable names include Jason Momoa as Ender Dragon, Idris Elba as the Creeper, and Will Arnett as the Piglin.
However, it's essential to note that these rumors are unconfirmed and should be treated with caution.
The movie's production team has yet to make any official statements regarding casting decisions.
Reception: Mixed Reviews from Critics
The box office numbers come despite reviews for the film being mostly underwhelming. The Telegraph awarded it two stars, saying the charm of the video game was ‘nowhere to be found‘, while the Guardian gave it just one star, stating that it has ‘a cobbled-together feel‘. However, it does not appear to have stopped families showing up in force to see it.
A Successful Opening: Industry Projections and Box Office Numbers
‘It has definitely overperformed all industry projections,’ said Steve Buck, chief strategy officer at EntTelligence. He noted that the film ‘hit with all audiences‘, with around a quarter of those going to see it being under the age of 13, and more than half being male. When dads like a family film, that’s a good thing,’ he added.
The Minecraft movie tells the story of four misfits who are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld – the place where all players start in Minecraft. While there has been a long history of game-to-film flops, others have been massive hits, such as Sonic and The Super Mario Bros Movie. In press notes circulated ahead of the film’s release, Jack Black acknowledged the pressure to deliver for fans of the blocky world, stating that ‘this movie is a big deal for a lot of people, because now it’s generational.‘
Minecraft's story began in 2009 when Markus 'Notch' Persson created the game as a passion project.
The indie game quickly gained popularity, and in 2011, Mojang Studios was founded.
In 2014, Microsoft acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion, expanding Minecraft's reach globally.
The game's success led to the development of several spin-off titles, including Minecraft: Story Mode.
In 2020, it was announced that a live-action Minecraft film would be produced by Netflix and Warner Bros., with Rob McCloud set to direct.
The film will bring the beloved game to life on the big screen.
