The Chicken Jockey scene in A Minecraft Movie has been generating a significant amount of controversy, yet director Jared Hess perceives the situation as a source of entertainment and enjoyment. Rather than focusing on the negative feedback, he embraces the fun and excitement that this particular scene has brought to audiences.
The “Chicken Jockey” scene has ignited a public frenzy among children, primarily due to A Minecraft Movie. This particular moment has triggered enthusiastic reactions from the target audience, leading to wild display of excitement when the scene unfolds on screen. While many kids are enjoying the experience and engaging in audience participation, others have crossed the line, causing disturbances that resulted in some being escorted out by the police. Consequently, several theaters have implemented a “no unaccompanied minors” policy to mitigate these disruptions. So, how does the director view this unexpected chaos?
If you haven’t had the chance to watch A Minecraft Movie yet, here’s some context to help you understand the situation: The pivotal scene occurs just over an hour into the film. It features a Frankenstein-esque zombie boy who drops from a box and lands on a chicken inside a ring alongside Jason Momoa (still following?). At this moment, Jack Black’s character enthusiastically exclaims, “Chicken Jockey!” This triggers an uproar in the theater, compounded by the fact that it has turned into a viral trend on TikTok. In light of this, the ban on unaccompanied minors may have spared underpaid ushers from dealing with the aftermath of spilled popcorn and soda after each showing.
Despite the backlash surrounding the Chicken Jockey scene, director Jared Hess remains focused on the positive aspects of the audience’s reactions. He comments, “It’s been so bananas. It’s been way too fun. People are sending me these really hilarious speeches that a lot of teenagers are giving right before the movie. It’s so hysterical, man. I’m staying up way too late.” Ignoring the actual disturbances and potential safety concerns of the viral reactions, Hess adopts a viewpoint of “They’re just having fun!” He further states, “It’s funny because I think it’s just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn. Yeah, it’s hilarious. I’ve seen so many funny videos. It’s great, especially when people are climbing on their friends’ shoulders and standing up and cheering for those moments. It’s like this crazy anticipation. But, man, I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.” It’s amusing to compare this to the fans of The Room who are known for throwing spoons in theaters.
With A Minecraft Movie now being a certified viral success largely due to the Chicken Jockey scene and several other beloved moments, it is poised for continued financial success at the box office. As of now, the film has already grossed approximately $200 million domestically and is on track to become one of the highest-grossing films of the year, based on its outstanding performance thus far.
What are your thoughts on the Chicken Jockey reactions in theaters? Do you believe it’s all in good fun, or do you think it’s causing harm?
