Jack Black Builds Mansion on Private Minecraft Movie Server

The release of the Minecraft Movie has brought a fascinating behind-the-scenes story to light: the entire cast and crew had access to a private Minecraft server to enhance the authenticity of the film. This immersive tool played a pivotal role in the creative process, allowing everyone involved to live and breathe the Minecraft world. Jack Black, who plays Steve in the movie, took his role to heart by constructing an impressive mansion atop the highest mountain within the server, complete with a unique art gallery in the basement.

According to producer Torfi Frans Ólafsson, having the Minecraft server accessible to the team created an atmosphere reminiscent of an indie game studio. This environment was buzzing with ideas and creativity, although not all could be incorporated due to the film's ongoing production. However, this setup allowed the filmmakers to sprinkle "a little pizzazz" into the movie, ensuring it stayed true to the essence of the game.

Director Jared Hess praised Jack Black's dedication, noting that Black was deeply engaged with the game. "Jack was super-weirdly method with the game," Hess shared. "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 confirmed his commitment, stating, "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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Ólafsson confirmed that Black's mansion is indeed still standing on the server. "It's up!" he said. "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's uncertain whether Jack Black's 'Real Minecrafter' Mansion will ever make it to the screen, the story itself adds a delightful layer to the film's production. It's a testament to the dedication and creativity of everyone involved in bringing the beloved game to life on the big screen.

For further insights, don't miss our review of the Minecraft Movie, an explanation of the film's ending and post-credits scene, and details on how it achieved the largest domestic box office debut for a video game adaptation last weekend.