(Image credit: Warner Brothers)
Jared Hess, the director of the much-anticipated Minecraft Movie, explains the phenomenon that’s taken the film beyond expectations. According to Hess, “Once the marketing over the last couple of months really started to kick into gear, and people just really zeroed in on funny quotes in the materials that resonated, it just took on a life of its own. But you can’t ever anticipate that,” he shared with Deadline.
This viral nature is hard to overstate given the number of kids who have been removed from theaters for enthusiastically shouting ‘chicken jockey.’ The live-action film, both appealing to kids and exceedingly quotable, has sparked an organic wave of fan-driven promotion. Notably, it has driven people unfamiliar with terms like ‘enderman’ and ‘creeper’ to a flurry of Google searches.
The story unfolds around four ordinary individuals, portrayed by Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen, and Emma Myers, who find themselves in an extraordinary cubic world. Their survival hinges on the enigmatic character Steve, brought to life by Jack Black.
Hess shares a personal anecdote, “My nephew, who’s in high school in New York, saw the movie twice over the weekend and even Facetimed me from school. He said, ‘Uncle Jared, Hey, hey dude, I’ve got some friends here. They got a question.’ When I replied in Jack’s iconic voice, ‘Water bucket release!’ the room erupted into cheers. I could barely finish saying ‘chicken jockey’ before the excitement hit fever pitch again.”
The Minecraft Movie is now playing in theaters. For a deeper dive into the film, check out our Minecraft Movie Review, or explore our comprehensive ending explanation. Stay updated with the latest in movie news, features, and reviews delivered directly to your inbox.