Latest on New Minecraft Movie that could now star Jason Momoa

Warner Bros.’ troubled Minecraft movie is reportedly negotiating with Aquaman star Jason Momoa to voice the main protagonist.

Warner Bros.’ rights to Minecraft expire in January 2023, meaning the studio must start production on the movie before then.

In addition to Momoa, the film has also apparently tapped Jared Hess to direct. Hess is best known for directing Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre.

The report also states Warner Bros. is looking to turn the Minecraft movie into a franchise if the first movie can get off the ground. Recently, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise has successfully proven a video game movie series can work, with two hits at the box office, a third on the way, and a spinoff streaming series in development. It seems Warner Bros. is hoping Minecraft can be next in line to continue that trend.

The Minecraft movie’s troubled development dates back nearly a decade when Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy left Warner Bros.’ Minecraft project over creative differences in 2014. Levy was replaced by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-creator Rob McElhenney, but McElhenney also dropped out.

Live-Action Minecraft Movie Cast and Premiere Date

Imagine: shirtless Jason Momoa wielding a pickaxe as he attempts to stave off giant spiders, flesh-hungry zombies, and mobs of neon-green creepers that swarm at any chance they’re given. On April 18, Warner Bros. announced that a live-action “Minecraft” movie is in the works, and Jason Momoa is player one. OK, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be shirtless, but given Momoa’s previous roles in “Aquaman,” “Conan the Barbarian,” and “Game of Thrones,” it feels like a safe bet.

Based on the video game of the same name, the live-action “Minecraft” movie is expected to bring everything about the beloved video game to life, including zombie hordes, giant bumblebees, and maybe even the occasional cubiform panda bear. While we can’t be sure if Momoa’s luxuriously long hair will be blowing in the wind the entire time, keep reading to find out what we do know about the new “Minecraft” movie.

Live-Action “Minecraft” Movie Plot

Based on the internationally renowned survival video game of the same name, developed by Sweden’s Mojang Studios, the “Minecraft” movie will be set in a universe made entirely out of blocks, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As a sandbox game, Minecraft allows players a certain level of creative freedom, giving them the opportunity to interact with the world around them in ways that produce widely varied outcomes. By crafting tools, practicing archery, and even mastering teleportation, players are able to go on multiple adventures across a seemingly limitless universe of blocks, if they can survive the night.

In “Minecraft,” virtually anything is possible, but good timing and planning ahead are key to making sure players don’t get attacked by more hostile mobs — “Minecraft” creatures — like creepers, phantoms, skeleton horsemen, witches, zombies, and ravagers, large creatures that ram into players and attack with their mouths. So, basically, you never know what to expect.

Warner Bros. has not yet shared official plot details about the Minecraft movie. But given the recent success of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” films, the “Jumanji” movies, and “Free Guy,” we can’t wait to see the “Minecraft” world come to life.

Live-Action “Minecraft” Movie Cast

Currently, Jason Momoa is the only actor who has officially signed on for a role in the live-action “Minecraft” movie. The film, directed by “Napoleon Dynamite”‘s Jared Hess, will be produced by “Dune” producer Mary Parent and Roy Lee. The late Jill Messick, who developed the film before her death in 2018, will also receive a posthumous producing credit.