Since its 2009 release, Minecraft has reached millions of players worldwide and is now the best-selling video game of all time. Fans were excited when the game’s creator, Markus Persson, and Warner Bros. Pictures announced a movie adaptation back in 2014. However, an entire decade passed between the initial announcement and the film’s release, reportedly as a result of multiple staff changes, script modifications, and major production changes.
The first trailer for the long-awaited live-action release of the popular game Minecraft was released on September 4, 2024. Fans of the franchise have already reacted negatively to this trailer.
Many fans are disappointed that the movie is live-action rather than animation. The studio’s choice to create a realistic version of Minecraft received criticism from long-time fans. Nathan Beeswy, a Chandler High School junior, stated, “I was kind of weirded out because it was all live action.” Beeswy argued that choosing to make a live-action movie was a terrible decision. He believes that the film’s visual style should focus on the unique, cartoonish aspects of the game rather than taking a realistic approach that doesn’t make the adaptation look accurate to the games.
During the Minecraft Live 2024 stream, director Jared Hess explained that the live-action style was purposely intended to set the movie apart from the wide range of fan-made animation entertainment that are already available online. “Creators have made such amazing stories, and short films, and content in the animation space,” said Hess (MovieWeb 2024). A live-action style, in his opinion, would separate the film from the community-driven content that dominates websites like YouTube.
As the fans get ready for the film’s premiere, their first impressions might not accurately represent what is to come. Only time will tell if the film can live up to the expectations of its loyal fan base.
