One of the best-known and most successful video games of all time is being made into a movie: "Minecraft" has sold over 300 million copies and continues to excite countless gamers. So we are all the more excited about the movie adaptation! In our new Original, we provide you with all the latest information on the plot, cast and production of the live-action adaptation.

Warner Bros. announced a "Minecraft" movie back in 2014 and got millions of players excited. This anticipation was soon dampened, however: the project experienced several delays and cast changes behind the scenes, causing the project to lose momentum. Meanwhile, the movie is getting back on track: a release date has been set and more and more details are coming to light.

The Story of Minecraft

Originally, there were several ideas for the plot of the "Minecraft" movie: one, for example, focused on the concept of a number of people working creatively in a digital landscape - just like in the original game. Another story option is more likely, though: the plot revolves around a young girl and a group of special adventurers. They have to protect their beautiful and blocky overworld from the evil Ender Dragon, who leaves behind a path of destruction on his way.

Similar to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie", we can expect to see many locations from the game featured in the movie, including different biomes and the hell-like Nether dimension. The Ender Dragon itself usually awaits the player in a surreal place called "The End". We are excited to find out what the world of "Minecraft" will be like in the movie - after all, the look of the game is very unique.

Further details about the plot are not known at present, but we can assume that fun and creativity will be the main focus of the movie. After all, the world of "Minecraft" offers countless opportunities to tell a captivating story, as numerous spin-offs of the game have already proven. We are particularly looking forward to the implementation of the strange creatures - above all, of course, the iconic Creeper and the Enderman.

The Cast

The "Minecraft" movie has been able to secure some celebrity actors: In April 2022, for example, it was announced that Jason Momoa is to take on a starring role in the adventure film. Momoa is considered one of the most sought-after blockbuster actors in Hollywood: he was already featured in "Fast X" in 2023 and made his return as the main hero of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" at the end of the year. According to Deadline magazine, "Wednesday" star Emma Myers will also be involved. In keeping with the story, we are actually expecting the female protagonist here.

Also in the cast are "What We Do in the Shadows" star Matt Berry, "Orange is the New Black" actress Danielle Brooks as Dawn and Sebastian Eugene Hansen as Henry.

A Chaotic Production

The "Minecraft" production has already gone through a turbulent time: in 2014, it was announced that "Free Guy" director Shawn Levy would be adapting a script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, who were already behind "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows". However, due to creative differences with Mojang, the game's creators, the project was put on hold temporarily.

Almost two years later, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" star Rob McElhenney was to take over the movie and write a screenplay together with Jason Fuchs. According to insider information, the story of the movie at the time focused heavily on the open-world aspects of the game.

But this also came to nothing: shortly before the project was ready to be made, the studio management changed. McElhenney, who left the production in 2018, was succeeded by director Peter Sollett - but he, too, was unable to stay with the project for long. In the end, the choice fell on Jared Hess, who had already won over audiences with the comedy "Napoleon Dynamite" and is considered a promising talent. The final script was written by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer, who had previously worked with Hess on the comedy "Masterminds".

Filming for "Minecraft" was originally scheduled to begin in August 2023. Due to the actors' and writers' strike, however, there were a number of setbacks. Now, filming is scheduled to begin in New Zealand in early 2024.

When will the Minecraft Movie be released?

Distributor Warner Bros. intends to release "Minecraft" in movie theaters on April 4, 2025. Let's hope everything runs smoothly from now on!