Jack Black, the cinematic maestro of high-energy mayhem, has once again brought his signature brand of joyful chaos to the big screen, this time channeling his enthusiasm into the world of square pixels as Steve in the live-action “Minecraft” flick.
Fresh off his viral vocal performance as Bowser, Black’s turn as the survival-savvy adventurer was exactly what audiences needed to bridge the gap between simple block-building and blockbuster fun. And yet, this performance, which features as much heart as it does screaming “chicken jockey,” has now been placed into the same elite category as serious dramatic efforts, prompting a surprising and much-talked-about submission by the studio.
Jack Black in the Running for Best Actor for ‘Minecraft’
Warner Bros is now officially pushing the a-lister for Best Actor consideration, highlighting his role in “Minecraft” as a standout of the year. But the studio’s ambitions don’t stop there—“Minecraft” is being promoted across nearly every major category, signaling a full-scale awards campaign.
The picture’s push spans top-tier categories, including Best Picture, produced by Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, and Best Director, with Jared Hess at the helm. The screenplay, adapted by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, and Chris Galletta, with story contributions from Allison Schroeder and Bowman and Palmer, is also on the studio’s radar.
Beyond the headliners, “Minecraft” is vying for recognition in acting categories across the board. Jack Black leads the aforementioned charge as Best Actor, while Jason Momoa and Sebastian Hansen are under consideration for Best Supporting Actor. The supporting actress category features Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge.
The technical and creative achievements of the picture are also being emphasized. From cinematography by Enrique Chediak, ASC, and production design by Grant Major and Amber Richards, to original songs performed and co-written by Jack Black himself, including “I Feel Alive” and “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” Warner Bros is making sure “Minecraft” is presented as a complete cinematic package.
Add in standout contributions in casting, editing, costume design, makeup, sound, visual effects, and score by Mark Mothersbaugh, and it’s clear the studio is pushing for attention from every corner of the Academy. It remains to be seen how the Academy will respond.