A Minecraft Movie emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 2025 in the United States, following its release earlier this year. The movie, now streaming on HBO Max, was ultimately directed by Jared Hess. However, the original director slated to lead the project was Shawn Levy, known for directing blockbuster hits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that collectively grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. Despite this high-profile attachment, Levy left the project after creative disagreements with the studio and Mojang Studios, the original creators of the video game.
Levy’s departure led to a lengthy development period stretching nearly a decade, during which multiple writers and directors came and went before Jared Hess stepped in to finish the film. The movie stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa and has received mixed critical reception but achieved noteworthy commercial success at the box office.
Reasons Behind Shawn Levy’s Exit from the Minecraft Project
The Minecraft Movie officially released in March 2025 and generated $955.1 million in box office revenue, according to The Numbers. Initially, Shawn Levy was expected to bring his directorial expertise, especially from his work on Deadpool and Wolverine, to this live-action adaptation. In October 2014, Warner Bros. engaged in talks with Levy to develop the film, but by December 2014, Levy had left due to creative conflicts.
Levy disclosed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the project’s direction did not align with his creative vision. He remarked:
“That doesn’t sound like what we want for (Minecraft), if we’re going to see a movie get made, we don’t know what we want, but that doesn’t feel right.”
—Shawn Levy, Director
Since Minecraft lacks a traditional narrative, Levy, along with writers Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney, sought to develop a new storyline to translate the game‘s open-ended world into a cinematic story. This pitch, however, was not accepted by Mojang Studios, leading the trio to exit the film’s production.
How Ryan Coogler’s Film Surpassed Minecraft Movie on HBO Max
Following Levy’s departure, the Minecraft adaptation journeyed through various rewrites and production changes before culminating with Jared Hess’s direction. Upon its streaming debut, the movie gained a strong following but could not surpass a competing film by Ryan Coogler titled Sinners, which is enjoying significant success on HBO Max.
According to Flixpatrol data, Coogler’s period vampire drama has become the most-watched movie on HBO Max in the United States, claiming the number one position ahead of the Minecraft Movie, which sits at number two as of mid-June 2025. This trend is also reflected globally, with Sinners topping international charts over the family-friendly video game adaptation.
It is notable that despite the contrasting tones—Minecraft Movie’s lighter, family-oriented appeal versus Coogler’s more mature and R-rated storytelling—Sinners retains stronger viewer engagement. Nevertheless, a sequel to the Minecraft Movie has been announced and is currently underway, signaling ongoing studio investment in the franchise.
Significance and Future Prospects
The contrasting paths of these two movies underscore shifting audience tastes and the challenges involved in adapting non-narrative video games into films. While Shawn Levy’s exit demonstrated the difficulties in early creative alignment, the eventual success of the Minecraft Movie shows the viability of the property, even if it has yet to match Ryan Coogler’s streaming success. Coogler’s continued prominence on HBO Max may influence future film and streaming projects looking to blend critical acclaim with widespread viewer appeal.
For Minecraft fans and moviegoers alike, the upcoming sequel offers an opportunity to revisit the franchise with potentially refined direction. Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler’s standing as a filmmaker capable of dominating streaming platforms continues to grow, shaping expectations for future releases.
The Minecraft Movie remains available for streaming on HBO Max across the United States, inviting viewers to judge the adaptation and anticipate what comes next for this evolving cinematic franchise.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Ryan Coogler’s religion?
A. Religion is a theme that Coogler newly explores, although he recognizes its presence in all his films. Raised in a Baptist family, he went to Catholic schools. Three of his grandparents passed away before his birth, and he found it interesting how his parents spoke about staying connected to them.
