Minecraft is the best-selling video game ever, with 300+ million copies purchased. Do you know the history of its development?
Officially launched by Mojang Studios in 2011, it didn’t take long before Mojang was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014.
Now the Minecraft franchise is about to add a movie to the mix.
“A Minecraft Movie” drops on April 4th, which also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Microsoft.
It will be interesting to see how audiences react to linear storytelling, given that Minecraft is a user-directed game with unlimited permutations.
Distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Legendary Pictures, Jared Hess was selected to direct the “A Minecraft Movie” not for his knowledge of Minecraft, but for his ability to deliver the cult film, “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004). Have you seen it?
“While he wasn’t as strongly versed in ‘Minecraft’ as other candidates, (Hess’) quirkiness came to life, and we wanted to partner with him.” (Kayleen Walters, Microsoft Gaming)
“Think about somebody who can be funny for young people, but also sophisticated enough for an adult audience. Jared is on a really short list. When you think about ‘Napoleon Dynamite’, that felt cool and edgy and hysterical, but it was still a PG movie.” (Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros Pictures)
“Napoleon Dynamite” was Hess’ first ever movie. The young writer/director’s work took in $46.1 million worldwide against a budget of only $400,000.
In “A Minecraft Movie”, four unlikely friends (Jason Momoa as Garrett ‘The Garbage Man’ Garrison, Emma Myers as Natalie, Danielle Brooks as Dawn, Sebastien Eugene Hansen as Henry) are transported into the block world of Minecraft, Overworld. To return home, they must team up with Steve (played by Jack Black), the master crafter, and survive dangerous situations. The film promises to be a thrilling adventure where creativity and survival collide.
“A Minecraft Movie” was purposedly not called “The Minecraft Movie”, as Minecraft is a game of unlimited possibilities – it’s just one possible story of many. Think sequel(s).
Starting on March 20th, Microsoft will release “A Minecraft Movie” heroes to the game as avatars. And, as would be expected, Donald Trump’s favorite fast-food outlet is getting in on the action by offering Minecraft Movie Happy Meals, featuring collectables, a limited-edition Nether Flame sauce, an activity book and a digital game as of April Fool’s Day. And of course, official merch will be available.
In 2024 movie merchandise in North America generated sales of just over $1.3 billion, proving that merch is a highly lucrative additional source of revenue (and brand awareness) for film producers, distributors and license-holders.
With a budget of $150 million, excluding marketing expenses, $58 million in ticket sales has been projected for “A Minecraft Movie’s” upcoming opening weekend.
What does success look like when a video game is transformed into a movie? The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is the #1 grossing movie based on a video game, and the only video game film to surpass $1 billion worldwide. In theory, there is tremendous potential for “A Minecraft Movie” if they don’t screw it up. We’ll know soon enough.
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