“A Minecraft Movie” director Jared Hess is responding to the rowdy screenings of his blockbuster sensation. The film has sparked a viral trend among young moviegoers in which they scream and throw popcorn during pivotal moments of the movie (including Jack Black proclaiming “I am Steve” and yelling “chicken jockey!”). Movie theaters have responded by issuing warnings against unruly behavior and in some cases notifying the police.
“It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called,” Hess told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s funny because I think it’s just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn. Yeah, it’s hilarious. I’ve seen so many funny videos. It’s great, especially when people are climbing on their friends’ shoulders and standing up and cheering for those moments. It’s like this crazy anticipation. But, man, I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.”
“I’m just so happy that people are finding joy in going back to cinemas and seeing things as a community, as a group of people,” the director added. “It’s like we’ve become so isolated on our devices, and it’s just fun to experience things as a group of human beings. I think people are starved for that experience. So it’s fun that they’ve found it in this goofy movie that we’ve made.”
“A Minecraft Movie” set a box office record when it opened around the world to $313 million, marking the highest debut yet for a video game movie. Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebastian Hansen, the movie is based on the popular video game of the same name from Mojang Studios.
As rowdy screenings became a viral trend, one Cineworld theater issued the following warning to its patrons: “Any form of anti-social behavior, especially anything that may disturb other guests such as loud screaming, clapping and shouting will not be tolerated. Anyone who is found to be acting in this manner will be removed from the screening and not entitled to a refund.”
A spokesperson for England’s REEL cinema issued a similar statement: “To ensure everyone has the best possible cinema experience, we’re increasing our monitoring of screens during performances. Disruptive behavior, including taking part in TikTok trends, before, during, or after a screening will not be tolerated. Anyone causing disruption will be asked to leave, and where necessary, the police will be called.”
“A Minecraft Movie” is now playing in theaters worldwide from Warner Bros.