The news comes following Dunst’s comments last August that she’d like to be a part of the ‘Minecraft’ follow-up since her kids love it and, “maybe I can just make a movie where I don’t lose money?”
(L to R) Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones star in ‘Oh. What. Fun.’
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones about their work on ‘Oh. What. Fun.’, Pfeiffer’s first reaction to the screenplay, making a Christmas movie from the mother’s point of view, Jones’ approach to her character, and her relationship with her mother.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Pfeiffer, Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa.
Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ Photo: Prime Video.
Moviefone: To begin with, Michelle, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the idea of making a Christmas movie from the mother’s point of view?
Michelle Pfeiffer: First, I was so excited to work with Michael Showalter. I think I would’ve done anything that he asked me to do, honestly, because everything he does is so brilliant and it’s all different too. So, I feel like he can tackle any genre of movie making. It wasn’t really on my bucket list to do a Christmas movie and I haven’t seen a ton of them. But it’s one of those things where you don’t even know there’s a story that needs to be told until you read it and you go, “Oh, of course.” It’s like women have just assumed these roles and these responsibilities throughout the generations and done it joyously because they love their families, and they want to be with them. But then I thought, “Wow, that’s so true.” There aren’t any Christmas movies about mothers who are basically the glue to the whole thing. So, I got very excited to do it, and I loved the relationship, the mother-daughter relationship with Channing, and for Claire, the inability to let things evolve. I think that’s the stress and the pressure that Felicity’s character is feeling, the pressure to stay what she was. Anyway, I love the movie.
(L to R) Felicity Jones and Jason Schwartzman in ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ Photo: Prime Video.
MF: Finally, Felicity, can you talk about your character’s relationship with her mother, why she wants to be recognized by her, and creating that relationship on screen with Michelle?
Felicity Jones: Well, it’s just a relationship that’s so true to life, that there’s so much love and there’s so much admiration and affection. But it’s almost like the relationship got a little bit stuck. I think Channing is a bit stuck and she needs to go from being a child to being an adult, even though she’s in her late ’30s. Somehow through the course of the film, she becomes a grown up. When Claire is no longer there, then suddenly, she has all the responsibilities that Claire has, the weight that Claire must hold and suddenly it’s on her shoulders. So, in that happening, she discovers empathy and goes, “Actually, it’s not easy being my mom, and maybe I don’t need to be quite so hard on her.”
‘Oh. What. Fun.’ debuts on Prime Video December 3rd.
What is the plot of ‘Oh. What. Fun.’?
Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) makes the Christmas magic happen every year for her family, but her children and grandchildren don’t realize the effort it takes, until she goes missing.
With ‘A Minecraft Movie’s box office total currently standing at a huge $957 million, Warner Bros. has announced that a sequel to the wildly success game adaptation is already in the works.
Yes, the movie that helped kick start a revival in WB’s box office fortunes is going the sequel route as soon as humanly possible, in this case, taking aim at a 2027 release slot.
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Jared Hess, who co-wrote and directed the first movie, is back to oversee the sequel, and while the screenplay list was a bundle of people who had worked on it through its long development, the new one will come from just Hess and collaborator Chris Galletta (‘The Kings of Summer’).
Right now, there’s no official detail on storyline or if stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa will return, but we can practically hear the dump trucks of money backing up to their houses.
Honestly, the most surprising part of all this is that it took them this long to confirm a follow-up was moving forward.
If you’re not in the game’s target audience, allow us to brief you on the basics… The game, from Swedish developer Mojang AB, allows you to create and shape an entire world, and by 2014 had sold more than 35 million copies across PCs, the Xbox 360, and mobile platforms.
Much like with Lego, the only stories here are those created by users, who can choose whether to explore, create or fight with each other.
There are also nocturnal monsters stalking the place, which you must deal with. It reached 100 million users just a few years after launch and helping spark Microsoft to acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014.
Since then, it hasn’t been quite as much in the pop cultural zeitgeist (the likes of ‘Fortnite’ have tended to dominate), but it’s recognizable intellectual property.
Black and Momoa star in the movie, which follows a group of misfits who are pulled through a portal into a cubic world and guided by an expert crafter named Steve (played by Black).
There are laughs. Weird characters. Chicken Jockeys (if you know, you know).
When will ‘A Minecraft Movie 2’ be in theaters?
As confirmed by its social post below, Warners has scheduled the follow-up for July 23rd, 2027.
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 receives 8 out of 10 stars.
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It has been over three years since ‘Peacemaker‘ Season 1, but the time has finally arrived for Season 2 to grace our screens. The new, highly anticipated season premieres Thursday, August 21st on HBO Max at 9 pm ET/PT.
John Cena returns as Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, in the lead role. He is joined by the rest of the 11th Street Kids – Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), John Economos (Steve Agee), Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), and Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks). Season 2 is written by James Gunn, however he only directs three episodes with Peter Sollett, Greg Mottola, and Alethea Jones stepping in to direct the others.
John Cena in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 has the daunting task of transitioning from the DC Extended Universe to the new DC Universe. When he became co-CEO of DC James Gunn stated that the majority of previous projects would not be canon in this new universe, with the exception of a few things, including ‘Peacemaker’ Season 1.
That said, it did need to be slightly altered. Because of this, many fans are going to be cautiously optimistic going in. Have no fear, the adjustments are adressed from the very start of the season – be sure you don’t skip the “Previously in the DCU” section.
Script and Direction
Jennifer Holland in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Thankfully, James Gunn is a brilliant storyteller, so he was able to do this seamlessly, not leaving room for any questions or confusion. As always, he takes the time to put a love and appreciation into the scripts that he is writing and knows how to tell a good story.
Stepping back into this wacky world, with these characters who are often down on their luck, might have taken longer than viewers would have liked, but all can be forgiven because the first five episodes of the season (which is what press were given for review purposes) are great.
As seen in the trailers, Peacemaker discovers another dimension in which the grass seems a whole lot greener. This forces him to look deep inside himself and decide what he truly wants out of life.
At the same time, the rest of the 11th Street Kids are dealing with their own issues. No one has it easy, but isn’t that true to the nature of the world? We are all going through something at any given time. It is this relatability that will have viewers hanging onto every word.
Multiverses are hard to explain, and very difficult to keep the attention of the audience. It needs to be done exactly right to make sense and thanks to great writing and direction, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 perfectly transitions from the DCEU to DCU.
It is not required to see ‘Superman‘ before diving into this new season. There are mentions of the events of the film, and even though they do play a key role in the series, it does a great job of letting viewers know the details they need to. That said, it will certainly enhance the viewing exprience if you have seen it.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) John Cena, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, and Steve Agee in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Erin Sintoes/Max.
Due to the nature of this season of ‘Peacemaker’, much of the cast has to flex their strengths as actors. Some of them are playing two versions of themselves while others are playing different versions of the characters we got to know in season one. It is always impressive when someone can pull this off and to have so many of them doing it in multiple episodes is no easy feat.
The chemistry between the cast is what has always been at the center of this series. That is what made these misfits so lovable. Something that James Gunn has always been good at is making viewers care about people that are not always perfect – sometimes far from it. But it is the stellar performances and the way the actors dove into these characters that made them unforgettable.
John Cena does a wonderul job as Peacemaker, especially taking into consideration the diliema he is put in almost immediately. It is easy to see the internal struggle he is putting himself through, which makes it impossible not to root for him even more.
Jennifer Holland once again shines as Emilia Harcourt. She knows how to give her a hard exterior that fans want to see be chipped away. Every so often we get a peek at a softer side, but don’t be fooled, she knows how to kick serious butt, and we love to watch it.
Frank Grillo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Season 2 delivers more of the same, but not in a redundant way. There are a lot of heartfelt and emotional conversations being had. Some rifts are formed, which become difficult to watch, but surely keeps things interesting. The same off-the-wall humor is there with moments that might send you into laughing fits.
Of course the entire returning cast is wonderful. It is clear they know these characters inside and out. That said, Frank Grillo coming in as Rick Flag Sr. is one of the biggest standouts of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2. He voiced this character in ‘Creature Commandos‘ and briefly appeared as him in live-action in ‘Superman’, but his journey in this series is completely captivating. He is extremely vulnerable, but also volatile, and easily one of the best written characters of the season from what we have seen so far.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 is able to capture the same craziness of the first season. Writer James Gunn knows how to tell a story that will have fans cracking up one minute and wiping away tears the next. Having to retcon some events can be a scary situation, but he handled this wonderfully.
It is lovely to see these characters together on screen again. With just three episodes to follow, it is hard to say where things will go, but the stakes are high, as are the emotions. There has to be a reason they were held back from press, and considering the end of episode five, the possibilities seem endless.
What’s the story of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2?
In season 2, Peacemaker (Cena) discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.
Opening in theaters on August 1st is ‘The Bad Guys 2’, DreamWorks Animation’s sequel to the 2022 original, with Pierre Perifel back directing and JP Sans as co-director for this one.
DreamWorks Animation is not a company to let a successful first movie get away without spawning a franchise. We’ve had swathes of ‘Kung Fu Panda’ outings, various ‘Madagascar’ entries (plus spin-offs) and numerous ‘Shrek’ films –– another is on the way next year.
Of course, then, ‘The Bad Guys’, which managed to delight family audiences in 2022 when the box office was still feeling the lingering ill effects of the pandemic, is back for another go-around.
And fortunately, this one is a largely positive catch-up with some very entertaining characters that has a few flaws here and there, but overall works.
The screenplay for animated movies is always a moveable feast, with ideas dropped in or ripped out at the storyboard and even animatic stage. This movie’s script comes courtesy of Yoni Brenner (a veteran of the ‘Rio’ and ‘Ice Age’ franchises), Etan Cohen (‘Holmes & Watson’), both taking loose inspiration from the ‘Bad Guys’ kids’ books by Aaron Blabey.
We’re re-introduced to our animal crooks with a prologue set during the height of their heisting days for a fun sequence that mashes up the likes of the ‘Fast & the Furious’ films with ‘Mission: Impossible’ as the team steals a priceless car from a billionaire (Omid Djalili).
From there, we head to the present day, where the lifestyle of Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and the rest is far from glamorous –– they’re struggled to make ends meet as they continue their quest to live a legal life. A chance to help track down a new criminal threat is curtailed when they’re blackmailed by a team of even sneakier crooks into pulling off (you guessed it!) one last job.
‘The Bad Guys 2’s story moves along at a decent enough clip, though it does suffer from pacing issues, going from frenetic action moments to long-winded bouts of exposition that are largely carried by the vocal work.
Still, once the true mission of the “Bad Girls” is revealed, things certainly take off.
Directorially, Pierre Perifel and his artists largely keep what worked about the original, with a winning blend of animation styles that calls to mind the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies without directly aping it. When you consider that the first ‘Bad Guys’ shifted how DreamWorks handles the look of (some of) its output, it’s easy to see why they chose to stay in that lane.
The vocal work on the movie is once again solid, with Rockwell in particular delivering his trademark charm as Mr. Wolf. He pairs well with a returning Zazie Beetz, who is his equal as Diane Foxington, the reformed criminal-turned-governor. The pair shares the most flirtatious animated dynamic since Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’.
Elsewhere, the other “Bad Guys” get a decent amount to do, with Marc Maron’s Mr. Snake handed the best storyline –– his romance that turns out to have a connection to the Bad Girls is always entertaining, and his work opposite Natasha Lyonne as his paramour is great.
Other new arrivals fare perhaps less well; Danielle Brooks is fine as Kitty Kat, the mastermind behind the other criminal crew, while Maria Bakalova is largely left to be support as hench-pig Pigtail (though she’s still good value).
It might not hit the heights of the first movie, but ‘The Bad Guys 2’ is a decent follow-up to that movie, with a fresh new dynamic that largely sidesteps the repetitive pitfalls of sequels.
And while there is comedy competition at the box office, its family target should equal a solid launch.
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What’s the story of ‘The Bad Guys 2’?
Featuring the return of the crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, the now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good.
Yet they instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Preview:
‘Peacemaker’s second season brought DC to Hall H.
Show creator James Gunn and star John Cena were among those on the panel.
Gunn talked up where the season fits into the DC Universe.
Who would have imagined that ‘Peacemaker’, designed as a spin-off from James Gunn’s 2021 DC movie ‘The Suicide Squad’, would be one of the few elements to remain in place once the filmmaker took over DC Studios and began building out his own mythology.
Well, Gunn, obviously, as he’s using Season 2 of the show to expand on the story he started telling in this summer’s ‘Superman’.
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And Comic-Con was naturally the place for him to show off new looks at the returning series, which has John Cena starring as the blundering, blustering vigilante, alongside offering hints of other DC Studios projects going forward.
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/Max.
In season 2, Peacemaker (Cena) discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.
What happened at the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 panel?
Frank Grillo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
To the surprise of almost no one, Cena showed up in full Peacemaker costume. He does this a lot for promotional events. Hope he has them washed in between appearances.
Gunn had this to say about how the show connects with ‘Superman’:
“The show happens a month after the events in ‘Superman’. There’s a lot of the characters [who] return in [this] season of ‘Peacemaker’. In the very first episode, we have Guy Gardner, but there’s a lot more as we go down the line. But it is definitely a part of the DCU now.”
Lest you forget, Guy Gardner is played by Nathan Fillion, reprising his ‘Superman’ role.
A clip (which will not be publicly released) from the new season was shown to attendees, featuring Holland’s Emilia Harcourt kicking ass in a bar but a new trailer is now online:
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The new season will see Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. seeking revenge for Peacemaker having killed his son (in ‘The Suicide Squad’). And our hero –– to stretch the term to its widest interpretation — seeks a new life in an alternate dimension where he really does get to be a good guy.
There was also a look at the new opening credits –– still a dance number, but with new music and some different characters added.
And Gunn reveals that the music will, as is usual for his projects, be on point:
“I mean, first of all, I think the soundtrack this season is my favorite soundtrack I’ve ever done. It’s so good with so many bands I love. It is in line with the soundtrack from the first season, but it’s a lot more modern bands, actually a lot more songs from the past, you know, 10-15, years or so.”
When will ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 be on screens?
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 lands on HBO Max on August 21st with its first episode, followed by seven more episodes weekly.
‘Peacemaker’ season 2 premieres on HBO Max August 21st.
2025 San Diego Comic-Con runs July 24th-July 27th. Photo: Comic-Con International.
Preview:
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is taking place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 24th through July 27th.
Neither Marvel nor DC will have studio panels, but there are still plenty of other great film and TV projects being highlighted.
Notable panels include ‘Predator: Badlands’, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, ‘The Long Walk’, and more.
Legendary filmmaker George Lucas will also be making an appearance on Sunday.
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is right around the corner, and with Marvel and DC opting to skip out on studio panels this year, it might seem like there is no reason to attend. That, however, could not be further from the truth, as there are still many incredible projects being showcased this year.
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Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are packed to the brim with can’t miss panels, including ‘Predator: Badlands‘, ‘Peacemaker‘ Season 2, ‘The Toxic Avenger‘, and ‘Star Trek’. On Sunday, legendary filmmaker George Lucas will make an appearance at the famed Hall H, alongside Guillermo del Toro, to offer a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Peter Dinklage as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
‘The Toxic Avenger’ reimagining is taking over Hall H on Thursday July 24th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. San Diego Comic-Con attendees will get an exclusive first look at the film, but that is not all. Writer and director Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman, and cast including Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige wil be on hand to discuss behind-the-scenes stories. The panel features a live Q&A, and exclusive footage from the upcoming film.
Synopsis: When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.
Friday, July 25th
‘The Long Walk’
Mark Hamill at The Major in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Master storyteller Stephen King’s first novel finally hits the big screen in ‘The Long Walk‘, from visionary director Francis Lawrence (‘The Hunger Games’ franchise films) and adapted by screenwriter JT Mollner (‘Strange Darling‘). Cast and filmmakers will participate in this Hall H panel from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Friday, July 25th for an in-depth Q&A session and first look at the intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: How far could you go?
Synopsis: Every year, fifty teenage boys meet for an event known throughout the country as “The Long Walk.” Among this year’s chosen crop is sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty. He knows the rules: that warnings are issued if you fall under speed, stumble, sit down. That after three warnings… you get your ticket. And what happens then serves as a chilling reminder that there can be only one winner in the Walk. The one that survives.
‘Predator: Badlands’
Elle Fanning from ‘Predator: Badlands’ at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Director Dan Trachtenberg (‘Prey‘) joins stars Elle Fanning (‘A Complete Unknown‘) and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi(‘Upright’) immediately following the panel for ‘The Long Walk’ in Hall H for an exclusive look at ‘Predator: Badlands’, the latest chapter in the legendary franchise. Hear firsthand stories from the set, insights into the film’s new setting and characters, and get a sneak peek at never-before-seen footage.
Synopsis: The film is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
After learning all about ‘Predator: Badlands’, stay in your Hall H seats and step into the Grid as director Joachim Rønning (‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil‘) and the cast of ‘TRON: Ares‘ take the stage to discuss the highly anticipated next installment in the Tron saga. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, get character insights, and have an exclusive first look at footage from the film.
Synopsis: A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
Saturday, July 26th
‘Project Hail Mary’
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Phil Lord (director and producer), Christopher Miller (director and producer), Ryan Gosling (actor and producer), Drew Goddard (screenwriter and executive producer), and Andy Weir (author and producer) give an exclusive first look at the most anticipated sci-fi thriller movie event of 2026 in Hall H on Saturday, July 26th from 2:15pm to 3:15pm.
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, ‘Project Hail Mary‘ follows a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship, lightyears from home, with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: to solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction . . . but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
Peacmaker Season 2
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
The HBO Max series ‘Peacemaker’, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, returns for a highly anticipated second season on August 21. Fans that attend the SDCC 2025 panel, which immediately follows the ‘Project Hail Mary’ panel, will be treated to exclusive sneak peek footage from the new season and a conversation with James Gunn (co-head of DC Studios, executive producer, writer, director) and actors John Cena (Peacemaker, executive producer), Danielle Brooks (Adebayo), Jennifer Holland (Harcourt), Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), Steve Agee (Economos), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.), Sol Rodriguez (Sasha Bordeaux), and Tim Meadows (Langston Fleury).
Synopsis: The continuing story of Peacemaker – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it – in the aftermath of the events of ‘The Suicide Squad‘.
Sunday, July 27th
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The perfect way to close out San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is to attend the final Hall H panel at 11:00am on Sunday, July 27th. Legendary filmmaker George Lucas, Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and Academy Award-winning artist Doug Chiang explore the power of illustrated storytelling and offer a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, moderated by Grammy, Emmy, Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning artist, Queen Latifah.
‘A Minecraft Movie’ is a big hit at the box office.
Jack Black and Jason Momoa star.
The movie was directed by Jared Hess.
Just when it looked like big screen video game adaptations had left their recent golden age in terms of box office (witness ‘Borderlands’ face plant last year), along comes a giant hit we’re not sure anyone truly expected.
‘A Minecraft Movie,’ which opened on Friday, has soared to number one at the box office, launching with $163 million domestically, $150.7 million overseas and that mammoth $313.7 million worldwide total.
With its blend of basic quest narrative and plenty of references to iconic game elements such as “chicken jockey” and others, it appealed to young gamers and the meme crowd equally. Reports flooded social media of the audiences reacting to appearances from certain characters like Marvel fans to moments in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
Here’s what Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. president of production and development, said about getting it right:
“We had a lot of trial and error along the way. It took a while to tell the right story with the right team. There’s something special about the way people connect with the game. We knew if we could harness the same love and humor and creativity in a cinematic experience, the potential would be limitless.”
Among the records that the new movie has broken include becoming the biggest opening of 2025 so far (besting ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ whose total gross it should surpass in due time), the record opening for a movie based on a video game (outplaying ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ which launched in 2023 with $146.3 million,) and the biggest domestic opening figure for both Black and Momoa.
And that’s not all! It also raked in Warner Bros. largest three-day total in April (really reaching here) and the biggest Sunday of All Time (besting ‘Barbie’).
Finally, a true stretch: it’s the only film in box office history to open to over $50 million and see no drop Saturday — instead, rising by 4%, making it the only film ever to achieve this.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ dropped 0% from Friday to Saturday last year but only opened to $41 million.
‘A Minecraft Movie’s Success: the Executives Speak
In 1942, Italian diplomat Count Caleazzo Ciano said, “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan,” and that can be particularly true of Hollywood blockbusters.
With the movie doing huge business at the box office, co-heads of the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who have been beset recently by some flops and are reportedly in fear for their jobs, were quick to capitalize on the success.
Here’s their statement:
“ ‘A Minecraft Movie’ represents the largest domestic opening weekend of 2025, the biggest since July, and Warner Bros.’ largest opening weekend since 2023. This is truly a world-class achievement! This is what happens when we believe in the power of our creativity, each other, and the strength of great storytelling.”
If you’re not in the game’s target audience, allow us to brief you on the basics… The game, from Swedish developer Mojang AB, allows you to create and shape an entire world, and by 2014 had sold more than 35 million copies across PCs, the Xbox 360, and mobile platforms.
Much like with Lego, the only stories here are those created by users, who can choose whether to explore, create or fight with each other.
There are also nocturnal monsters stalking the place, which you must deal with. It reached 100 million users just a few years after launch and helping spark Microsoft to acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014.
Since then, it hasn’t been quite as much in the pop cultural zeitgeist (the likes of ‘Fortnite’ have tended to dominate), but it’s recognizable intellectual property.
What has Happened with the Development of the Movie Adaptation So Far?
Around the time of the Microsoft purchase, Warners entered talks with prolific producer and director Shawn Levy, but his packed scheduled and slow development on the movie meant he never ended up in the director’s chair.
After Levy came ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ co-creator and self-avowed ‘Minecraft’ fan Rob McElhenney was next in line as director when the movie was still being planned as an animated release. He, like Levy, appears to have been the victim of scheduling, and has focused his video game-loving energies on co-creating and starring in Apple TV+’s ‘Mythic Quest’ series.
With ‘Wonder Woman’s Jason Fuchs sticking around for script work, the movie then targeted Steve Carell as a potential star but… well… you can guess what happened.
The most recent time before now that ‘Minecraft’ news showed up, it was with ‘Raising Victor Vargas’ Peter Sollett writing and directing.
With Jared Hess on board, it finally got in gear. And the rest is box office history.
Will there be a ‘Minecraft’ sequel?
At this point, we’d predict several. And probably a TV show. And maybe a video ga… wait a minute!
In theaters on April 4th, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ adapts the wildly popular (at least, a few years ago, before the likes of ‘Fortnite’ and ‘Roblox’ took over) video game where players can craft whatever they want in the blocky universe known as the “Overworld.”
While some recent game adaptations have triumphed through finding a unique way into the story, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ has only occasional nods towards that, preferring instead to appeal to its young-skewing audience via bombastic action and comedy.
Video game adaptations were tarred for years with a lack of success, and to be clearer, a lack of understanding what really needs to happen with you convert something from one medium to another. Then, the likes of ‘Detective Pikachu,’ Netflix’s ‘Arcane,’ the burgeoning ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ franchise and even ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ proved that it could work –– though that last one is more box office behemoth than true creative challenge.
Along the same lines; albeit product rather than game, is ‘The LEGO Movie,’ which showed that it you find the right creators, who hit upon a great idea, you can end up with something really special, particularly if it’s people who don’t treat the source material like gospel to be taken fully successfully.
It’s that last entry to which we might best compare ‘A Minecraft Movie’, though put up against the sheer lunatic invention of ‘LEGO,’ the new offering certainly falls a lot shorter, with fewer points with which to recommend it.
It’s normal for a project that has been in development for as long as the ‘Minecraft’ outing to boast contributions from a laundry list of writers –– let’s be honest, even the successful ones usually come to screens with a host of uncredited input by funny/professional people. Yet with five people listed on the screenplay: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James and Chris Galletta, you might expect ‘A Minecraft Movie’ to have come through with a few more original ideas.
Yet for all the concepts drawn from within the game (build anything you can imagine from the blocky source fodder of the “Overworld” and the various creatures/characters who populate the game), this still falls back on some awfully familiar structures, including Hunt for the Object, the Villain who Hates Everything the Heroes Care About and Seeks to Destroy it and the Coming of Age/Believe in Yourself storylines.
What we have here is essentially a remix of those, and while, yes, a lot of films of this genre go for that, it’s how you use them. ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ while sometimes poking fun at the ideas, goes the fairly basic route. Some of the gags land (largely sold by the performers, more on that below), but the whole is less than the sum of its parts. And some of the parts feel awfully second-hand.
As a director, Jared Hess has put out fiercely original, goofy takes on life such as his breakout ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ and he does manage to bring some of his offbeat comic energy to the film. It’s also credit to him and his team that the world comes across as decent, as opposed to the rushed, cloudy CG-scapes that have brought the likes of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ low.
Still, there remains the feeling that ‘Minecraft’ has seen Hess’ voice fed through the studio machine to some degree.
If there’s one element that feels like it drives everything else, it’s the paired zaniness of Jack Black and Jason Momoa.
Black, of course, is bringing his usual manic energy to the role of Steve, the crafter who found his way to the Overworld and in it, discovered what he was looking for (alongside a loyal, blocky wolf companion named Dennis).
If you’re not a fan of Black’s particular, enthusiastic and occasionally musical delivery, you’ll probably be turned off by his wild-eyed posturing and his gesticulating. But vibe with him (and a lot of the kid audience already does) and he brings the role to vivid life, managing to be silly and heartfelt in one package.
Jason Momoa, meanwhile, has proved in the past that he can lean into weirdness when called upon, and here his Garrett, a shaggy-haired, pink-tasseled leather jacket-wearing wannabe badass is another solid comic creation for the actor to bring to life. By turns fake-macho and sensitive, he wouldn’t be out of place in the world of video game documentary ‘The King of Kong’ and he’s just on the right side of annoying as to be watchable.
Also on a comic vibe –– though sidelined to such a degree as to almost be completely detached from the narrative at points –– is Jennifer Coolidge, whose kooky energy serves her well as Vice Principal Marlene, who ends up on a dinner date with one of the Minecraft characters who makes it into the real world and chews on her lines almost as much as her meal.
Elsewhere, the other human characters such as Emma Myers‘ Natalie and Sebastian Hansen’s Henry are there to provide the heart, which makes them much blander, though they do get their moments.
And while her specific comedy vibe is mostly wasted, Danielle Brooks also has one or two decent gags.
On the villainous side, we have the always-reliable Rachel House (‘Thor: Ragnarok‘ and many of Taika Waititi’s other movies), who voices piggy witch Malgosha, a creature with a dark, destructive agenda. She might not sound all that threatening, but she sells the character’s comic business, particularly during a climatic showdown with Black’s Steve.
‘A Minecraft Movie’ never hits the heights of ‘The LEGO Movie,’ but it’s certainly more willing to take risks than Illumination’s ‘Mario’ effort.
Definitely aimed more at younger audiences (this is a real case of “parents, ask your kids,” it’s overstuffed and under-considered, but does the job.
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What is the plot of ‘A Minecraft Movie’?
Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like piglins and zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking in person with Oscar nominated actress Danielle Brooks about her work on ‘A Minecraft Movie’, if she was a fan of the game, her first reaction to the screenplay, being on the set, collaborating with director Jared Hess, her character’s relationship with a wolf named Dennis, working with Jack Black and Jason Momoa, and if she could build anything … what would she build?
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebastian Hansen, and director Jared Hess.
Moviefone: To begin with, how familiar were you with the Minecraft game before making this movie, and what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the way they were going to adapt the game?
Danielle Brooks: Coming into ‘Minecraft’, I knew nothing. I am such a newbie, and was just being introduced to this world. Growing up, we did play a few video games, but I really wasn’t exposed, so I missed out a lot. I’ve learned now. I’ve missed out a lot. But as far as reading the screenplay and going into shooting it, it’s a lot of the same stuff but a lot of things we improved. You know what I mean? A lot of things we were discovering as we went along, especially for Dawn. I think we were still trying to figure out who is she, but I think we came up with some really great stuff, with Jared Hess at the head. I wasn’t writing nothing. Well, I did improv a lot, so maybe I should get a writer’s credit. But we just really were able to figure it out together, and I really love what we came up with.
MF: What was it like being on the set and watching director Jared Hess execute his unique vision for this project?
DB: He was definitely the right guy for the job. I mean, if you’ve seen any of his other films, his humor is there. It’s a little odd, but which makes for a really natural, real thing. Just something that we can look at and relate to, I think. So, working with him was pretty awesome. He’s a super nice guy, and wonderful with kids and adults, so I was excited to get to work with him.
MF: Your character, Dawn, forms a friendship with a wolf named Dennis in the movie. Can you talk about that relationship and what were you working with when you were acting opposite Dennis?
DB: Good question. With Dennis, it was pretty amazing because, first of all, I was working with was a real person. Shout out to the stunt team. There was this guy dressed in all gray with these black and white dots all over his body. Then, he would actually have this square head, that was shaped like Dennis’s head, that he would be in and be in his physical world. So, I was acting alongside him, really using my imagination, really getting to be just a little 10-year-old kid with that. But it was fun. Being able to be the one that was able to give Dennis the bone and have that connection with him was nice. It’s very ironic that my husband’s name is Dennis too, so it just makes sense.
MF: What are Jack Black and Jason Momoa like to work with and have as scene partners in this movie?
DB: They were horrible because they tried to steal the show from me every time. The thing about me is you cannot take my shot. I am the star! I don’t care what it says on the call sheet. I’m the star! No, I’m joking. They were wonderful. They really set a beautiful tone on set, and I’m really grateful for that. Jack is one of one, and Jason was so lovely because he let his inner kid go, which gave us permission to do the same. I really hope to get to work with those guys again. I really do. It was no egos on set. It was just good people wanting to put a good project together.
MF: Finally, if you could build anything, what would you build and why?
DB: I would build my own Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. That’s what I would want. I really do. I want all of the candies to make you blow up, like Violet Beauregarde, I think it that was her name. I want all of the things. I want the gobstopper, Chocolate fountains and stuff. And Oompa-Loompas. Why not?
hCuUjEgel7kznFLKw8pp81
What is the plot of ‘A Minecraft Movie’?
Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like piglins and zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.
