In a world of subpar video game adaptations, we'll admit that we weren't sure that Jared Hess' A Minecraft Movie had the 'building blocks' to go all the way. But, as it continues to break box office records and defy expectations, it looks like we've got another certified banger on our hands. It seems like only a matter of time until a sequel will be announced.
The world of video game adaptations is a strange one, with us celebrating the good (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), the bad (Uncharted), and the ugly (the original design for Sonic the Hedgehog).
There seems to be no rhyme or reason for what makes a good video game movie, and just after Borderlands went down as a critical and commercial flop, A Minecraft Movie is soaring to the top of the box office while being dubbed the 'worst' movie of the year by critics. You only have to look at its paltry Rotten Tomatoes score of 48% from critics and 88% from the audience to see there's some serious disconnect here.
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Still, with viral scenes of people going mad over Jack Black saying "chicken jockey", it's clear there's a big audience for A Minecraft Movie. Cinemas have issued statements over rowdy behavior, but we know one person who likely won't be attending. Minecraft creator Markus Persson has spoken out about his lack of involvement in the creative process, and unlike Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto being a producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Persson's name is nowhere near A Minecraft Movie.
When asked what he thinks of A Minecraft Movie, Persson wrote: "I was not involved at all. Nor did I want to be. Nor did they want me to be."
Persson suggests he wasn't consulted on the process, although he first announced that developer Mojang was in talks with Warner Bros. to develop a movie based on the IP as far back as 2014.
It was that year that Persson also stepped away from all things Minecraft when he sold Mojang to Microsoft for a cool $2.5 billion - making him a billionaire overnight.
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Despite this, Persson still has plenty of feelings about A Minecraft Movie. Continuing to spill his thoughts, he added: "I was kinda hoping they'd throw Uwe Boll at this project. It'd probably be a worse movie, but at least I'd have things to say about it then."
This is a reference to Uwe Boll, who has directed panned video game movies, including Alone in the Dark, House of the Dead, and BloodRayne. In particular, 2005's Alone in the Dark has just 1% on the review aggregator site.
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Even though Persson seems a little salty that he wasn't included in A Minecraft Movie and is holding back on his true thoughts, he previously hinted that he quite liked the vibe. When the first trailer dropped in 2024, the Minecraft creator admitted, Ok I'm in. Wow this is a weird feeling," adding, "Pretty surreal. Very cool they got Jack Black."
Persson might feel like he's been left out in the cold, but eagle-eyed Minecraft fans might be able to spot a cameo from lead designer and current Mojang CCO, Jens Bergensten.