‘A Minecraft Movie’ director defends controversial fan behaviour at screenings: “I’m just laughing my brains out”
A Minecraft Movie director, Jason Hess, has defended fan behaviour at screenings after many cinemas issued strict instructions to those attending viewings.
Since A Minecraft Movie arrived in cinemas globally on April 4th, it has been a huge hit at the box office and has also birthed a viral TikTok trend. At one point in the film, Jack Black’s character says the phrase, ‘Chicken jockey’ which has now become a meme as audiences film themselves going crazy and throwing popcorn when he delivers the line.
Hess has been watching the craze play out on social media and has supported fans of A Minecraft Movie to continue reacting wildly and sharing videos online.
“Jack says it with such passion,” the director told the New York Times. “Everything that comes out of his mouth in the film is spoken with such authority and seriousness, like this is the most important thing anybody has ever heard in their life.I think people just love the craziness of it.”
He added: “It’s way too funny. It’s been a total blast. I’m just laughing my brains out every time someone sends me a new video.”
Hess also described the way cinemagoers are enjoying the film as a “true party” which he believes epitomises what going to see movies should be, adding, “Just the fact that people are making memories at the movies – that’s what it’s all about. That’s why we do it.”
The filmmaker also played down the severity of moviegoers throwing popcorn in theaters, stating, “No-one’s going to get hurt from popcorn. Look, when I go to the movies with my kids, it’s like a popcorn massacre that happens and they’re not throwing anything, but it ends up on the ground regardless.”
Earlier this week, a Cineworld branch in Oxfordshire issued a sign warning cinema-goers they will be ejected without a refund if they don’t follow traditional etiquette in the theatre. The sign reads: “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.”
Meanwhile, Reel Cinemas issued the following statement: “To ensure everyone has the best possible cinema experience, we’re increasing our monitoring of screens during performances. Disruptive behaviour, 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 grossed $157 million domestically in the United States on its opening weekend, representing the most successful opening weekend for a movie adaptation of a video game in history.
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