The artist who created 40 in-game paintings for Minecraft did one of Jack Black as Steve for Minecraft Movie 2, and it’s pretty fantastic

The sequel to the massively successful Minecraft Movie has begun production in New Zealand. The first Minecraft Movie, released in Spring 2025, exceeded expectations with approximately $1 billion in worldwide theatrical box office revenue, defying mixed critical reviews. This remarkable commercial success prompted the greenlight for a sequel in the franchise.

Returning to the role of Steve, actor Jack Black has announced his involvement in the upcoming sequel through an Instagram post featuring a custom painting of himself as the iconic Minecraft character. The artwork depicts Steve seated comfortably on a leather chair while holding a blocky flame, accompanied by the caption “and so it begins,” signaling the start of production.

The painting is notably created by the same artist responsible for designing 40 in-game paintings that appear within Minecraft itself, creating an interesting connection between the film production and the game’s established artistic heritage. This collaboration highlights how the film adaptation is drawing inspiration directly from Minecraft’s visual identity and creative foundations.

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