It’s been a number of months since an update has been given on Warner Bros.’ upcoming Minecraft film adaptation, but today, Variety has revealed the very first bit of casting news related to the project. According to the outlet, The Office star Steve Carell is in talks to come on board the picture, which is being directed It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney. McElhenney also wrote the most recent draft of the script with Wonder Woman scribe Jason Fuchs.
Nothing, at the moment, is known about the role Carell will play, but the film is reportedly animated, so he likely will lend his voice, unless, of course, Warner Bros. decides to go in the direction of The Lego Movie and include live-action performers in there as well. Coincidentally, in the game, the protagonist’s name is Steve, so some have speculated that the actor will voice that character.
The plethora of talent behind the scenes and Carell’s involvement would suggest that Minecraft will be a cut above typical video game to movie adaptations, which are notorious for being disappointing. Some recent titles that unfortunately didn’t quite live up to the hype (despite nice box office returns) include Warcraft and The Angry Birds Movie.
Since his departure from The Office in 2011, Carell has taken on more dramatic roles, as opposed to the comedic ones in such movies as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Get Smart that initially made audiences fall in love with him. Recently, he earned a Best Actor nomination for portraying John du Pont in Foxcatcher and earned a massive amount of praise from critics for his work in The Big Short.
Minecraft, the video game, was released back in 2011 and since has become a worldwide phenomenon, with well over a 100 million registered users. Spin-off games and merchandise have both been popular with consumers as well, further proving that Minecraft is quickly becoming the world’s most lucrative video game franchise.
The Minecraft movie will hit theaters on May 25, 2019.
Originally published November 16, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
