Goodwin's Minecraft Universe
| Sony's Spider-Man Universe | |
|---|---|
| Based on | Marvel Comics |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | See below |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date | 2018–present |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Total (3 films): $285–309 million |
| Box office | Total (3 films): $1.526 billion |
The Minecraft Cinematic Universe (MCCU) films are a collection of Australian animated superhero films developed by Mob Productions, based on characters that are featured in fictional narratives by SOI Entertainment. The Guardian Saga is the shared universe where all the films take place.
The first installment was Minecraft (2016), which was followed by Minecraft: Block Wars (2019), Agent Derp (2021), and Minecraft: The Nether Wars (2023).
Following the success of the game that released in 2011, Mob Productions worked with Mojang Studios to have Freddie Goodwin and his team work on a movie, and potentially a movie franchise. Mojang agreed to the idea and gave the movie rights to them on the condition Goodwin remained in charge of all future movies, if future movies were made. Development for Minecraft began in 2012 with Mob Productions placing Freddie Goodwin in charge of the project, scheduled for a 2015 release, but was pushed back to 2016. Goodwin hired multiple writers to ensure the project has the best writing possible. The film was first announced in June 2013 and was confirmed to be releasing on June 18, 2016.
Goodwin became interested in making a sequel after the first films success. 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.
Development[edit | edit source]
Minecraft (2016)[edit | edit source]
Following the success of the game that released in 2011, Mob Productions worked with Mojang Studios to have Goodwin and his team work on a movie, and potentially a movie franchise. Mojang agreed to the idea and gave the movie rights to them on the condition Goodwin remained in charge of all future movies, if future movies were made. Development for Minecraft began in 2012 with Mob Productions placing Goodwin in charge of the project, scheduled for a 2015 release, but was pushed back to 2016. Goodwin hired multiple writers to ensure the project has the best writing possible. The film was first announced in June 2013 and was confirmed to be releasing on June 18, 2016.
During development of Minecraft: Block Wars, that would be released in 2019, Goodwin planned various spin-offs focusing on side-characters. With the release of the first film in 2016, Goodwin saw great reception to the Derp character and saw this a great "opportunity to explore". He ordered development to begin for a film based on Derp's character, which would be "Agent Derp". Goodwin confirmed he didn't make Agent Derp to be a origin story, instead would have Derp's past be explored through mind-games with the films main villain.
On March 12, 2013, Goodwin announced that Grant Gustin had joined the cast for the first film in the lead role Steve Stonecutter. Goodwin hired Wilma Zimmerman, Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez, and Myla Salazar to write the film, while he directed the film. Around the same time, Mob Productions had cast Amy Poehler as the character Alex Stonecutter. At this point in development, the film was scheduled to release at some point in 2014, though development suffered when a actor wouldn't accept the role of a undisclosed [Derp] role. In February 2013, it was announced that Scott Menville would join the cast for the character Derp.
Menville took to social media and uploaded a video explaining how he is excited for what his character is about to accomplish in this "new world of strange". This video recieved over 300,000 views, raising the potential viewerships for the movie that would later release in 2016.
On February 10, 2016, Catherine O'Hara was cast as the main antagonist of the film, Minecraft, that was announced to be released on June 18, 2016. Goodwin announced that they have wrapped production of the film already and are prepared for the release to theatres.
Minecraft: Block Wars (2019)[edit | edit source]
Goodwin became interested in making a sequel after the first films success. 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, as they were focusing on adding aspects of nostalgia, which he felt would completely ruin the film.
Goodwin approached Jeffrey Dean Morgan to ask him to join the cast of Block Wars. Morgan stated that he, at first, declined the offer, but thought about the offer again a few days later, and asked Goodwin for more information about it, and accepted it once he found out that it had a deeper meaning behind it, then it was just a traditional "I want to rule the world" type of villain.
Agent Derp (2021)[edit | edit source]
Minecraft: The Nether Wars (2023)[edit | edit source]
Part One & Part Two[edit | edit source]
During 2013 and 2014, Goodwin formed a eight-to-ten year plan for the universe of Minecraft. He created the first installment with a gut-feeling that it would be a huge success, therefore planning films to come after it for the years following. He explained his plan's "Part One" will conclude with Minecraft: The Nether Wars (2023), and a new one will take over.
In 2018, Goodwin and Benjamin Knowles created a plan for a "Part Two", though they had no idea on what to title this part of the story. Goodwin confirmed that the story would mainly be set in the past, before the events of the first film, and kinda "rewrite" some history as needed. He explained that the writers didn't want to "rewrite everything and restart", and instead wanted to explore different aspects of the universe that has been created. During this time, Grant Gustin announced he would be stepping away from the franchise to look for new roles in different genres. Goodwin confirmed he knew about Gustin's decision and already has a plan in place.
On January 31, 2024, Goodwin confirmed that the second chapter of the story would begin with the 2024 installment, Agent Derp: The Mission Iniative, and explore how Derp became a Agent in the first place. He confirmed Alex would appear in the film before she officially met Steve. Goodwin announced he would be stepping down once Part Two concludes at some point in the near future. On June 15, 2024, Goodwin officially announced three films that are coming as part of "Part Two" and announced that the first part will be titled: The Herobrine Saga.
Films[edit | edit source]
Released[edit | edit source]
| Film | Release date | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story | Screenplay | ||||
| Minecraft | June 18, 2016 | Freddie Goodwin | Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez & Myla Salazar | Wilma Zimmerman | Benjamin Knowles & Freddie Goodwin |
| Minecraft: Block Wars | December 12, 2019 | Freddie Goodwin
Co-directed by:Jeff Goodwin |
Wilma Zimmerman | Freddie Goodwin, Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez & Myla Salazar | |
| Agent Derp | March 10, 2021 | Patrick Reid
Co-directed by:Rabia Nicholson |
Wilma Zimmerman | ||
| Minecraft: The Nether Wars | December 20, 2023 | Freddie Goodwin | |||
| Agent Derp: The Mission Initiative | June 10, 2024 | Rabia Nicholson | Bridie Lindsey | Homer Gutierrez | |
Minecraft (2016)[edit | edit source]
In an epic Minecraft adventure, Steve and Alex Stonecutter confront mysterious challenges in Diamond Hill Village, including rumors of the elusive Herobrine and a dangerous encounter with the Viler Witch. Their journey, marked by bravery and friendship, leads to a critical battle to save the village and a haunting revelation about Steve's connection to Herobrine. As they prepare for their next quest, a foreboding development unfolds beneath the village, hinting at darker forces at play.
Following talks between Mob Productions and Mojang in 2012, the year following the release of the game, Mojang gave film rights to Mob Productions on the condition Freddie Goodwin leads all projects developments as producer, even if he doesn't direct or write the films. The two companies agreed to this term.
Development for Minecraft began in 2013 with Mob Productions placing Freddie Goodwin in charge of the project, scheduled for a 2015 release, but was pushed back to 2016. Goodwin hired multiple writers to ensure the project has the best writing possible. The film was first announced in June 2013 and was confirmed to be releasing on June 18, 2016. The film recieved positive reviews from critics, with praise for its animation, humor, writing, and musical score. The film made $1.62 billion in its time in cinemas.
Minecraft: Block Wars (2019)[edit | edit source]
It follows Steve Stonecutter and Alex Stonecutter with them finding why Steve is having strange visions of a different "version" of himself. Minecraft: Block Wars is set in 2019. It focuses on adding to the universe in small ways and isn't a direct-sequel to the first film, instead is used to set-up the next mainline Minecraft installment planned for 2023.
Goodwin became interested in making a sequel after the first films success. 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. 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.
Agent Derp (2021)[edit | edit source]
In a tale of sacrifice and self-discovery, Derp, a key agent of the Good Justice Society, grapples with the heavy burden of his unique abilities, contemplating their renunciation for what he believes is the greater good. His decision is challenged by Alex Stonecutter, a close ally, who seeks to persuade him of the importance of his powers. Despite Derp's initial refusal, a pivotal meeting with his colleagues at GJS headquarters—Patrick, Michael, and Doctor Sam—leads him to reconsider, ultimately embracing the significance of his abilities.
Agent Derp is a story set after the second Minecraft film and before The Nether Wars. It's purpose is to begin the storyline that continues in Minecraft: The Nether Wars (2023). Development on Agent Derp began in 2017. Goodwin placed Wilma Zimmerman in charge of the project because she was the one who originally created the Derp character in the first film.
Minecraft: The Nether Wars (2023)[edit | edit source]
Goodwin took full control of the project following the conclusion of development for Block Wars. He knew he had to make sure this film would knock all expectations out the park and blow fans minds, to ensure that, he took full control, feeling he knows what needs to be done. Being the first film to feature Herobrine as a antagonist, since hinting at him since 2016, Goodwin knew his appearance needed to mean something big.
Goodwin worked with the voice cast of all the previous films that have already been made and made sure they were all happy with the story arc they have been given.
Upcoming films[edit | edit source]
| Film | Release date | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story | Screenplay | |||||
| The Nightslayer | December 29, 2024 | Freddie Goodwin | Sara Case & Wilma Zimmerman | Freddie Goodwin, Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez & Myla Salazar | Benjamin Knowles & Freddie Goodwin | Post Production |
| Justice of Requiem | September 20, 2025 | Cleo Rubio | Sara Case | Filming | ||
| World of X – Chapter One | June 10, 2026 | Jeff Goodwin
Co-directed by:Cleo Rubio |
Freddie Goodwin | Pre-production | ||
| Legends of Minecraft | September 17, 2027 | TBA | In-development | |||