There are only two ‘M’s in Momoa, yet the essence of a Jason Momoa film can be distilled into three distinct ‘M’s: muscles, mayhem, and metal. This week, however, a fourth ‘M’ enters the mix—Minecraft—as the Hollywood titan embarks on his first comedic venture.
The Minecraft Movie Experience
The upcoming A Minecraft Movie serves as a cinematic adaptation of the world’s best-selling video game, a project that was bound to happen given its staggering sales of over 300 million copies and a monthly player base exceeding 170 million. Directed by Jared Hess, known for the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, the film promises a whimsical journey through one of gaming’s most iconic realms.
Momoa’s participation in this project was unexpected. Audiences are more accustomed to witnessing him as Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones, Conan the Barbarian, or Aquaman, rather than engaging in comedic antics involving building blocks. Yet, his portrayal of Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison—a once-celebrated video game champion now facing a downturn—reveals a refreshing side to the actor.
Alongside co-stars Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen, Momoa’s character finds himself navigating the cubic Minecraft “Overworld,” where confronting fears becomes essential for returning to reality.
Reflecting on 1989: A Gamer’s Youth
Jason Momoa: In 1989, I was around nine or ten, deeply immersed in gaming and listening to Guns N’ Roses!
Interviewer: That love for G ‘n’ R seems to resonate with you.
JM: Absolutely! I was also into skateboarding and hard rock. Video games were a significant part of my life, especially Street Fighter—that was my jam.
Interviewer: Did you have a favorite character?
JM: Definitely Ryu or Blanka, and occasionally E-Honda. Street Fighter was everything to me.
Interviewer: What was the filming experience like for A Minecraft Movie?
JM: This has been the most fun I’ve ever had on set. I’ve never done a comedy before, and it’s a whole different vibe. Usually, I’m covered in blood and fighting, so it’s refreshing to just laugh. Working with Jack Black has been a joy; he’s an absolute enigma who brings so much energy.
Interviewer: Was preparing for a comedy less stressful than for an action film?
JM: Not at all! I was quite stressed, especially since this was my first comedy. I had been attached to this project long before Jack joined, and I was thrilled when he agreed to come on board.
Interviewer: Did you know Jack well prior to filming?
JM: Not really. I followed him on Instagram, and he reached out, asking, “Are we doing this?” I was excited to say yes!
Interviewer: It looks like you had a lot of fun on set. How much freedom was there for improvisation?
JM: Jared Hess encourages a lot of creativity. We played around with the script, and Jack and I felt comfortable enough to add our own flair. Jared would often say, “Put more stank on it!” which made for some great moments.
Interviewer: How do you feel about adding that extra “mustard” to your performance?
JM: I love it! I prefer to be pushed rather than held back. As long as I have a solid foundation, I’m willing to take risks. Jack and I tackled some of our tougher scenes early on, which was challenging but rewarding.
Interviewer: Where do you draw that energy from, especially when filming difficult scenes on the first day?
JM: It can be tough! I’ve had to do that on various projects due to scheduling conflicts. But it’s part of our job to adapt and perform, and working in a beautifully crafted physical Minecraft world made it easier.
Interviewer: Did you take anything from the set?
JM: I might have taken a few items! I even invited my friend Tom Segura to visit the set because his son loves Minecraft. We gifted him some props from the film.
Interviewer: How much influence did you have over your character’s development?
JM: A significant amount. Working closely with Jared and our producer Cale Boyter, we developed a strong rapport. Cale believed I had comedic potential, and this project was born from that vision.
Interviewer: What about Garrett’s heavy metal look?
JM: Our costume designer Amanda Neale did an incredible job. She brought in vibrant colors, knowing my love for pink. The character’s style reflects the retro gaming era, and I was thrilled to incorporate elements I loved as a kid.
Interviewer: Are those items now part of your personal wardrobe?
JM: Absolutely! Those pieces have always been my favorites, and it was great to integrate them into my character.
Interviewer: Did Hunk City Rampage become an actual playable game?
JM: Unfortunately, no. They created a loop for the film, but it wasn’t a fully functional game.
Interviewer: A reader question from eight-year-old Harrison: If you could build anything in real life as quickly as in Minecraft, what would it be?
JM: I’d build a massive castle in the mountains or an extraordinary house!
Interviewer: Your character is accompanied by heavy metal tracks. What are your top five riffs?
JM: My favorites would include:
- Black Sabbath: “Black Sabbath”
- Metallica: “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
- Pantera: “Walk”
- Rage Against The Machine: “Freedom” or “Bulls on Parade”
- Guns N’ Roses: “Rocket Queen”
Interviewer: What’s next for you after A Minecraft Movie?
JM: I’m currently filming Supergirl as Lobo, and I have some exciting projects lined up. My TV show Chief of War premieres on August 1st, and I hope to continue exploring the Minecraft universe. Plus, there’s Dune 3 on the horizon!
Interviewer: How is Dune 3 progressing?
JM: [Long pause…] It’s going well…
Interviewer: Well, we’ll leave it at that!
JM: Yes, let’s! I’ve already been cautioned about discussing Lobo!
A Minecraft Movie will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on April 4th.
