Minecraftmakers Cancel Film Inspired By Game

Minecraft-makers cancel film inspired by game

Minecraft-maker Mojang has intervened to block the production of a movie that is set in the game's block-built world.

The makers of Birth of a Man had launched an appeal on Kickstarter for $600,000 (PS366,000) to finance the production of the film.

But barely a day after the project was launched, it was cancelled without explanation by its creator.

Mojang founder Markuss Persson later posted a message on Twitter to explain why it was shut down.

"We don't allow [half-a-million-dollar Kickstarter projects] based on our [intellectual property] without any deals in place," wrote Mr Persson, also known as Notch, in a tweet.

The message is believed to be referring to the fact that there was no licensing agreement negotiated between Mojang and the film-makers to use blocks, items and other elements similar to those in the game. The film was set to be released on YouTube in 2014

A teaser trailer on the Kickstarter project page showed concept footage that mixed live action with creatures, landscapes and weapons that are seen in the game.

Brandon Laatsch, the director of the short film, stated that he's been working on the idea for the idea of a Minecraft movie for more than 12 years.

He added that he and the other gamers who participated in the project were hoping that the final film would be more effective than films based on well-known video games.

In the teaser video he stated that Minecraft was the perfect video game to adapt to a movie.

"The reason is that it doesn't have a character and doesn't have a story which I believe is an enormous advantage since we can create our own story."

Mr Laatsch has yet to comment on why the project was scrapped or if it's likely to be revived after discussions with Mojang regarding the licensing of its intellectual property.

Markus Persson on Twitter

Birth of Man on Kickstarter

Kickstarter

Minecraft