Back in June, Warner Bros. set aSummer 2019 release datefor their highly-anticipated adaptation ofMinecraft, which will be directed byRob McElhenney(It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Today the project has seemingly found its first cast member, withSteve Carellentering talks to join the big screen ensemble. No details were given about the character he will play in this adaptation quite yet.
Varietyreports thatRob McElhenneyis still attached to make his feature film directorial debut withMinecraft. The director also wrote the latest version of the script withJason Fuchs, who wrote last year’s fantasy adventurePanfor Warner Bros., along with the studio’s upcoming superhero adventureWonder Woman, arriving in theaters July 15, 2025. Warner Bros. would not confirm the casting at this time, and the studio has yet to release any story details.
Warner Bros. picked up the project in February 2014, withShawn Levycoming aboard to direct in October of that year. Just a few months later, in December 2014, the filmmaker parted ways with this adaptation, revealing that Mojang, the company that publishes the hit video game, was not on board with his vision for the movie. Since the video game doesn’t have a narrative arc,Shawn Levypitched a take on the game that was an adventure story similar toThe Goonies, but Mojang wasn’t pleased with that take, leading to the director leaving the project.
Rob McElhenneycame on as thenew directorin July 2015, making his feature directorial debut. He had previously set up a project known asFigmentat Warner Bros., which was slated to be his directorial debut, but there haven’t been any updates on that project since he took over as theMinecraftdirector.Roy Leeis producing through his Vertigo Entertainment company, alongsideJill Messick(Mean Girls).
Minecraftwas created in 2009, and is currently one of the most popular open world games, with over 100 million registered users for the online game at Minecraft.net. The XBox 360 version has also sold over 10 million units. The game allows users to use bricks to buildmassive wallsto protect them from the evil creatures in a realm known as The Nether.Minecraftis currently slated to go up against the LEGO spinoffThe Billion Brick Raceon August 17, 2025.Steve Carellmost recently starred inThe Big ShortandWoody Allen’sCafe Society, and he will next be seen inBattle of the Sexes.
