In an intriguing twist of cinematic fate, the upcoming “A Minecraft Movie” shares more than just a whimsical spirit with Jared Hess’ cult classic “Napoleon Dynamite.” While the two films may seem worlds apart—one a vibrant video game adaptation starring Jason Momoa, the other a quirky indie comedy from 2004—they both draw from Hess’ unique sense of humor and personal experiences rooted in his Idaho upbringing.
Hess reflects on the connection, noting that the film’s playful elements, including llamas and tater tots, are a natural extension of his creative identity. “It’s all very personal,” he shares with Variety. “It was kind of a convergence of so many things. Llamas are such funny, weird characters in the game. My mom’s llama was in ‘Napoleon Dynamite!’”
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Jesse Ehrman, president of Warner Bros Pictures, emphasizes the importance of Hess’ distinctive perspective in finally bringing this long-anticipated project to life. “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.”
Hess also hints at the potential for a more adult-oriented film, particularly with Jennifer Coolidge’s comedic portrayal of a lovesick vice principal who falls for a lost villager. “We could have made a whole other movie with the outtakes of her and the villager on the date. It may have been a rated-R film, but we kept the PG stuff,” he laughs. “Jennifer is just a comedy goddess. Anytime she’s on screen, she’s so stinking funny.”
Joining Coolidge are Momoa and Jack Black, both of whom infuse their characters with their signature comedic flair. Momoa, who plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, draws inspiration from the influential figures of his youth. “The first person I learned Metallica from was the coolest older brother of a friend of a friend,” he recalls. “You walk into the room, and he’s got the Nintendos and all that. I want to do all these cool things.”
While Momoa channels his childhood influences, it’s Black who takes center stage musically in the film. He showcases his vocal talents through catchy tunes like the snack-inspired jingle “Steve’s Lava Chicken” and the heartfelt “Ode to Dennis.” Fans of Black’s comedy rock band, Tenacious D, will have to wait for their return, as Black humorously notes, “There will be no Tenacious D wine until it’s D-time. You can’t rush that kind of thing.”
Danielle Brooks, a Tony-nominated powerhouse, adds another layer of humor to the ensemble. Although she doesn’t get to display her musical prowess in this film, she playfully speculates about future opportunities. “I’m trying to figure it out myself, honey! Maybe in ‘A Minecraft Movie 2.’ Maybe there’s some duets that can happen,” she quips, before adding with a wink, “I really think it’s because they know when they have a Grammy winner in their midst, I would have stolen the show.”
