As both the 2023 WGA writer’s strike and the SAG-AFTRA actor’s strike are currently on in Hollywood, members of those respective unions are now picketing in favor of a return to negotiations. That in turn has triggered a ton of projects shutting down, as film and TV efforts can’t continue without the forces vital to such creations. A-lister Jason Momoa’s next potential blockbuster is the latest to see such delays, as his Minecraft movie is now on pause, putting New Zealand locals out of work as a result.
Per a report by the NZ Herald, “up to 700 cast and crew” members who were lined up for the Warner Bros. picture are unable to go into production. This news also suggests that the original plan was to start shooting Minecraft at some point in August, which aligns with Deadline’s report that the video game adaptation is aiming for an April 4, 2025 release date. But since the previously mentioned strike actions are in effect, the entire production was forced to be put on hold before it even started. One has to wonder what kind of impact this stall will have on the New Zealand economy in the short term.
