"Minecraft – the movie": an uncertain future for the film adaptation

Minecraft is one of the most famous video game licenses. To ride on this success, a film adaptation had to be released for the ten years of the game. Unfortunately, the project is currently in jeopardy.

Markus Persson (a.k.a. Notch) probably had no idea of the immense success that his game would enjoy. Created and released in test version in 2009, Minecraft has more than 74 million active users in December 2017. This long-term success shows a real enthusiasm of players for this sophisticated cube game. Warner Bros . wanted to take advantage of this performance by making a film adaptation of the video game. In 2014, the American production company announced that a Minecraft film was in the works. The feature film will be made in live action, while one would rather expect an animated film. Warner Bros. released very little information about the progress of the film. In 2016, we learn that Steve Carell (The Office, Crazy, Stupid Love) would be in negotiations to join the cast of the film. Since then, nothing. Until the news site The Wrap revealed an exclusive information on August 3.

Minecraft digs in search of a director

In 2014, director Shawn Levy directed the film's creation before Rob McElhenney took over the project. On Friday, August 3, when The Wrap asked the director about the project, Rob McElhenney replied "no, it will not happen.". The production of Minecraft is not canceled however, the director has simply decided to abandon the film. The creator of the Philadelphia series was also co-writer of the feature film. He was working with Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman). To compensate for this departure, Warner Bros. hired Aaron and Adam Nee, two brothers to rewrite the script of the film. Minecraft has, for the moment, not found a director. The resignation of Rob McElhenney and the rewriting of the script are expected to significantly delay the release of the film, originally scheduled for May 24, 2019. In addition, the Nee brothers are already working on the Masters of the Universe remake, released by Sony Pictures on December 18, 2019. Their commitment to Sony could come before their new contract with Warner Bros., further delaying the release of Minecraft.

The Minecraft movie is not at the end of its troubles. After several years of production, the project starts from scratch. Fans can console themselves by playing with the latest update to the game. Minecraft is indeed growing with the Aquatic Update.