live-action

Video game adaptations are gaining popularity in cinema, with Jared Hess’s A Minecraft Movie becoming the second game adaptation in three years to top the global box office, following The Super Mario Bros. Movie. A sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, is set for release next year. Prime Video’s Fallout has also received acclaim and will premiere its second season next month. The adaptations have varied in their approach to source material; The Super Mario Bros. Movie is fully animated, while Fallout uses practical sets, and A Minecraft Movie combines live-action performances with digital landscapes. The film's visual effects team faced challenges in adapting Minecraft due to its open-world nature and lack of a definitive storyline. Warner Bros. acquired the rights to Minecraft over a decade ago, and after years of development, the project found direction under Hess's leadership, framing the story as a “fish-out-of-water” narrative. Initial reactions to the film's trailer were mixed, leading to skepticism about the adaptation. Jack Black's character, Steve, showcases enthusiasm for the game, and he actively participated in building set pieces within Minecraft. A notable scene, the “chicken jockey,” references an obscure game element and resonated with fans, becoming a highlight of the film. The scene's success was attributed to Hess's humor and creative vision, ultimately connecting with the audience and proving skeptics wrong.