Jack Black is set to join the ensemble of the live-action adaptation of the immensely popular video game, “Minecraft.”
Teaming up with Jason Momoa, already announced as part of the cast, are Emma Myers from “Wednesday” and Danielle Brooks, recognized for her role in “The Color Purple.” Filming is poised to commence soon in New Zealand.
Directed by Jared Hess, known for his work on “Nacho Libre” alongside Black, the film is being supported by Warner Bros. and Legendary. The anticipated release date for “Minecraft” is April 4, 2025, bringing the beloved game to the big screen.
Details about the storyline and screenplay for the “Minecraft” movie remain undisclosed. The film adaptation has been in development for several years, with directors such as Shawn Levy, Rob McElhenney, and Peter Sollett previously linked to the project.
Since its launch in 2011, “Minecraft” has become one of the highest-selling video games ever, boasting a massive user base of over 140 million players monthly. Its unique sandbox-style gameplay allows users to build 3D worlds using colourful blocks. The game has spawned various spinoffs, including “Minecraft: Story Mode,” “Minecraft Earth,” “Minecraft Dungeons,” and “Minecraft Legends.” Mojang Studios, the Swedish developer behind the game, was acquired by Microsoft in 2014 and is involved as a producer in the movie adaptation.
Jack Black appears to be a favoured choice in Hollywood for roles in adaptations from games to screen. His credits include “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Jumanji: The Next Level,” and the upcoming “Borderlands” from Lionsgate. Additionally, he will be reprising his voice role as Po in Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda 4,” hitting theatres on March 8.
The news of Black’s casting was first reported by Deadline.