Warner Bros. has been developing an animated feature film based on the beloved monster-hit video game “Minecraft” for ages and it looks like the studio is ready to get things going sooner rather than later. The game focuses on players using blocks to create structures and worlds with a unique pixelated look, allowing for many interpretations of a feature film adaptation, much like another Warner Bros. Animation project, “The Lego Movie.”
We’ve finally got a promising update on “Minecraft” as Jason Momoa (“Aquaman“) is in negotiations with the studio to voice the film’s unnamed heroic lead according to The Ankler.
The same report also briefly mentions that Jared Hess had been tapped to helm the animated film. Hess is known for off-beat comedies such as “Nacho Libre,” “Masterminds,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” and “Gentleman Broncos.”
“Metal Lords” director Peter Sollett had been previously attached to direct and co-write the script, but it’s unclear why he’s been seemingly replaced with Hess. However, it could be a timing issue as the studio will lose the film rights if things don’t get going by January and Sollett wouldn’t be the first director to bail.
Shawn Levy (“The Adam Project,” “Free Guy“) had been tapped at one point before exiting himself back in 2014.
“Minecraft” already has some excellent visuals established within the video game franchise (See below) that could be used to help influence the look of the animated film. We’ll likely have to wait a bit longer before a concrete plot is revealed or we see what animation style they’ll be using.
Momoa recently shot “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom” for director James Wan and recently took on the villain role in “Fast & The Furious 10” at Universal Pictures.