Minecraft: Block Wars

## Film Chronology

***Minecraft: Block Wars*** is a 2019 Australian animated superhero film produced by Benjamin Knowles & Freddie Goodwin and released by Mob Productions. The film is written by Wilma Zimmerman, Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez & Myla Salazar and is directed by Freddie Goodwin and Jeff Goodwin, who co-directed the film. It is the second film in the *Minecraft* film series, and is the sequel to *Minecraft* (2016). It follows Steve Stonecutter and Alex Stonecutter with them finding why Steve is having strange visions of a different "version" of himself.

Development for the sequel began in June 2017 following *Minecraft*'s success in theatres during 2016. Goodwin refused to change the writing team. After a few drafts, he joined the team himself and threatened to fire some of them if they didn't put a focus on quality.

Block Wars is the first film to feature Jeffrey Dean Morgan in it, he portrays this films main antagonist Max, The Piglin Master.

*Minecraft: Block Wars* premiered worldwide on December 12, 2019 and was released to the Mob Productions YouTube channel on February 1, 2020, earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film recieved positive reviews from critics, with praise for its animation, humor, writing, musical score, and Morgan's character arc. Though the film recieved critism for its screenplay. The film made $762.6 million in its time in cinemas. A spin-off, titled *Agent Derp*, was released on March 10, 2021. A sequel, titled *Minecraft: The Nether Wars*, was released on December 20, 2023.

## Plot

Two years after the defeat of the Viler Witch, Steve Stonecutter and Alex Stonecutter discover a essence of energy mainly found in the Nether dimension, but are confused on how it appeared in the overworld.

Steve has a vision and finds out that a powerful dangerous entity is coming and returns to Diamond Hill Village to ask Jackster some questions, but encounter a village raid, from a dozen Piglins, soldiers of the Nether.

Alex finds the location of the portal and destroys it, but is captured by the Piglin Master, who wants revenge for the Overworld trapping him in the Nether forty years prior. Alex tries to convince him to stop and reveal his identity, but only the latter works. He reveals himself simply as "Max", who wants to get revenge and reward himself for the time he has lost.

In a post-credits scene, a figure in a enchanted forest turns around with glowing white eyes and grins. Text appears on the screen saying "Herobrine is coming!"

## Characters

* Grant Gustin as Steve Stonecutter
	+ Herobrine, a evil duplicate of Steve, appears in a small compacity within the film. He has no voice actor.
* Amy Poehler as Alex Stonecutter
* Ronnie del Carmen as Jackstar
* Scott Menville as Derp
* Catherine O'Hara as Viler Witch
* Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Max / The Piglin Master

## Production

### Development

Following the success of the first film, Mob Productions asked Goodwin if he wanted to return for a second film, to which he accepted and began developing the sequel in August 2017.

Following the success of the first film, Mob Productions had asked Goodwin to return to direct, though he ultimately decided he didn't want to continue with the series. They brought well known director, Zack Snyder into the film after he agreed. He decided to ultimately keep the

### Casting

Goodwin personally contacted Jeffrey Dean Morgan and asked if he would like to be in the film, to which Morgan declined the offer at first. However, after a few days of thinking, Morgan felt the need to ask for more information as he felt intrigued to what the Minecraft film could be about - and revealed he declined because he didn't want to portray a villain who has no meaning other than "I want to rule the world." After Goodwin explained the role and storyline his character has, he instantly agreed to join the project.