Jack Black Builds Mansion on Private Minecraft Movie Server

The recently released Minecraft Movie has taken an innovative approach to authenticity by creating a private Minecraft server for its cast and crew. This immersive tool allowed everyone involved to dive deep into the game's world, enhancing the film's connection to the beloved video game. Jack Black, who plays Steve in the movie, went above and beyond to prove his dedication as a "real Minecrafter" by constructing a grand mansion atop the highest mountain within the server. This impressive structure even featured an art gallery in its basement.

Producer Torfi Frans Ólafsson highlighted the benefits of having such a server, noting that it created an atmosphere reminiscent of an indie game studio. This environment fostered creativity and allowed ideas to flow freely among the team. Although not all ideas could be incorporated into the film due to its ongoing development, the server enabled the addition of unique touches that enhanced the movie's authenticity.

Director Jared Hess praised Jack Black's commitment, describing how Black fully immersed himself in the game. Black's enthusiasm extended to harvesting resources like lapis lazuli and constantly building within the server. This dedication led to a dynamic creative process where everyone contributed in their unique way.

"It was so much fun," Hess remarked. "Jack was super-weirdly method with the game. He was in his trailer harvesting lapis lazuli and always building stuff. [He] was geeking out on the game and would come back with ideas. It was a constantly evolving thing where everybody was contributing in their own fun, unique way."

Jack Black himself humorously explained his approach, saying, "I had an Xbox in my trailer and I did play because *an actor prepares.* So I got as many hours as I could on this Minecraft server, which had tons of props from all the different departments. The cast and crew on the server were building some insane structures and I wanted to stand out. I wanted everyone to know that I was *a real Minecrafter,* so I said I was going to find the biggest, highest mountain in this world and build a stairway to Steve and a mansion up on top of that hill. I had a basement in there with an art gallery and... I don't even know if it's still there!"

A Minecraft Movie Gallery

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"It's up!" Ólafsson confirmed. "I kept it up and I extended it for a year. I popped up in there a couple days ago and I said, 'Wait, there's somebody online!' I went in, and there were these two security guards who worked the gate on set and they're like, 'Hey, welcome!' I said, "You guys are still in here?' and they said, "Oh, yeah!"

While it remains uncertain whether Jack Black's 'Real Minecrafter' Mansion will ever be seen by the public, the behind-the-scenes efforts highlight the passion and creativity that went into bringing the Minecraft world to the big screen. This unique approach not only enriched the filmmaking process but also added a genuine layer of authenticity to the movie.

For further insights, be sure to read our review of A Minecraft Movie, explore our explanation of the film's ending and post-credits scene, and learn how it achieved the largest domestic box office debut for a video game adaptation last weekend.