Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, and Danielle Brooks have officially pressed play on the highly anticipated adventure, "A Minecraft Movie." The star-studded cast, along with Emma Myers and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, graced the world premiere in London's Leicester Square on a sunlit spring day, where a lush green carpet stretched invitingly before the Cineworld theater.
The film, inspired by the beloved video game, revolves around four misfits who are unexpectedly whisked away through a mysterious portal into a surreal, cubic wonderland fueled by imagination. To find their way back home, they must navigate the quirks of their new reality while embarking on a quest with an unexpected master builder, with Black stepping into the iconic role of Steve.
At the premiere, The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Momoa and Black, who both expressed that the world could benefit greatly from "A Minecraft Movie" at this moment. "What the world needs now is love, sweet love," sang Black, channeling Burt Bacharach's 1965 classic. "We must work together, for heaven's sake. There's too much violence, war, and hatred out there. And that's what I cherish about this movie — it's brimming with love and creativity. Sure, there's some anger and violence too, but ultimately, it's about friendship and collaborating to make the world a better place."
Black heaped praise on director Jared Hess and his fellow cast members, saying, "Jared is a creative powerhouse with a unique perspective. This cast was outstanding, from top to bottom. You've got Jason Momoa, who's worth the price of admission alone; Danielle Brooks, who's fantastic; Emma Myers, she's fantastic too. Then there's this new talent [Hansen], who's a genius. And then, the wildcard! Who knew Jennifer Coolidge would steal the show?"
Momoa, the star of "Aquaman," echoed Black's sentiments. "I believe everyone needs a little escape right now," he told THR. "It's lovely to sit back, enjoy a thrilling adventure, and have a good giggle." Joking about working with Black, he added, "I never want to do another film with him. It was terrible. He's a phony, a fraud… No, I mean, he's beyond what you could ever imagine."
When asked what he would promise to "Minecraft" fans about the movie, Momoa said he hopes for another film in the franchise: "We won't let you down. We worked tirelessly for you, and I think we've brought the world to life. Everyone's going to love it. There's so much more to tell; I just hope the fans will be delighted and give us the green light for more."
Brooks admitted she's not a "Minecraft" player. "I try, girl," she said on the carpet. "I'm more of a watcher and participant… I have a five-year-old daughter who's into 'Minecraft' now, so her mommy's got to get into it too!" She confessed, "I didn't grow up playing games, and I really wish I had. We played a few games, like snowboarding and racing, but I never got into 'Mario Bros.' and the like. The best thing about this movie is that it brings out our inner child."
Newcomer Hansen shared his thoughts on landing the role: "I didn't expect it, but when I first stepped on set and read the script, I realized I was part of it… [The more experienced cast members] taught me that having fun is crucial."
Producer Cale Boyter said of "A Minecraft Movie," "It's going to make you feel young again. It's beautiful to turn off your brain and immerse yourself in a world where you can do things you can't do in real life."
"A Minecraft Movie" will hit theaters on Friday, April 4.
