A Minecraft Movie 2 Gets a Surprising New Cast Addition (and Their Reason Is Hilariously Honest)
After the monster success of A Minecraft Movie, it’s no wonder the video game adaptation is getting a sequel. That first film cost roughly $150m to make and returned a whopping $961m at the box office, becoming one of the most profitable films of 2025.
With a built-in fanbase already, thanks to the game, a big-name cast including Jack Black and Jason Momoa, and the perfect blend of slapstick comedy and meme-worthy references, A Minecraft Movie really did have audiences going crazy.
Now, the challenge is to take the second film in a fresh direction, while maintaining the magic of the first instalment. But with the first bit of casting news coming out, it looks like Jared Hess and Co. are off to a great start.
Kirsten Dunst Joins the Cast of A Minecraft Movie 2
It was revealed by Deadline that none other than Kirsten Dunst will be joining the cast for A Minecraft Movie 2. The esteemed actress will play Alex, one of the game’s most popular characters.
We don’t know a lot about this sequel yet, apart from the fact that it’s set for release in 2027, and some very basic plot details. The story will involve Steve (Jack Black) and Alex (Dunst) diving deeper into the Overworld to explore new territories and encounter new challenges along the way.
Obviously, Black is back, then. He’ll be joined by Jason Momoa, who will reprise his role as Garrett. Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hansen, Jennifer Coolidge, and Matt Berry are all expected to return, too.
Dunst Will Finally Make Some Money With This Project
Dunst’s casting announcement is not only surprising, but she has a hilarious reason for it, too. The actress previously joked that she would happily be a part of a second Minecraft movie, simply because her kids loved the first one.
Speaking to Town and Country in 2025, Dunst played up the influence of her children, and also added, “Maybe I can just make a movie where I don’t lose money?”
It would seem she wasn’t actually joking at all. And good for her! She’s done more than enough dramatic work to earn the chance for a commercial hit now, that’s for sure.
If we look at Dunst’s past projects, it’s safe to say box office success is not something that has necessarily followed her around recently. For example, Roofman, the brilliant dramedy starring Channing Tatum, made just $34m off a $19m budget last year.
The Power of the Dog, for which Dunst earned an Oscar nomination, had a limited release as a Netflix movie. Meanwhile, Midnight Special actually made a serious loss, earning just $7m from an $18m production budget. They’re all excellent films, but quality doesn’t always equate to bums in seats and cinema tickets.
The one anomaly here is Alex Garland’s Civil War. The gripping, dystopian tale amassed $127m at the box office in 2024 against a $50m budget, and ended up being A24’s second highest-grossing movie of all time.
We Can’t Wait To See Kirsten Dunst Do Something Light Again
Putting the financial element aside, it will be interesting to see Dunst dip her toe into something more fun and light once more. In recent years, she’s established herself as a fine dramatic actress, but she’s proven she’s not afraid to perform in more comedic, commercial environments in the past.
In the 2000s, Dunst starred in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, which was a true cultural behemoth. Those films may have had their darker moments, but there’s no denying they were big, bombastic action movies at their core.
Likewise, Dunst played a part in flicks like Bring It On, Get Over It, and Wimbledon, which were all delightfully cheesy, playful rom-coms. She’s a force to be reckoned with when she’s flexing her dramatic chops, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s an absolute joy to watch when she’s cutting loose with something less serious.
Say it quietly, but seeing Dunst in the world of Minecraft should be a blast!
