Latest news with #TownshipTheatre
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Jack Black forced to wade in as A Minecraft Movie theater mayhem continues
Jack Black made a surprise appearance at a screening of box office smash A Minecraft Movie over the weekend to urge fans not to throw popcorn. In the movie, Black's character Steve sees a baby zombie fall onto the back of a chicken and shouts, 'Chicken jockey!' The moment has caused theater-goers to erupt into chaos by screaming or throwing popcorn. For those wondering, a chicken jockey — a baby zombie riding a chicken — is an extremely rare phenomenon in the game. In videos posted to social media, 55-year-old Black can be seen entering a theater shortly before the film begins with a microphone. 'For today's presentation of A Minecraft Movie, please no throwing popped corn, no lapis lazuli and also absolutely no chicken jockey!' he says, as fans in the cinemas realize who he is and he shows off Steve's prop pickaxe. Last week, the film's director, Jared Hess, responded to the viral 'chicken jockey' trend by revealing he's been staying up into the night watching videos of fans reacting to that and other moments from the film. 'It's been so bananas,' Hess told Entertainment Weekly. '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.' The Township Theatre in New Jersey had earlier issued a statement on Facebook announcing that minors attending screenings of A Minecraft Movie must be 'accompanied by a parent or responsible adult,' following 'an unfortunate situation' that took place during a Saturday showing. Fans across the country have been so exuberant that one viral video showed police being called to a screening to deal with particularly rowdy cinemagoers. 'It's weird when you're having too much fun and the cops get called,' said Hess. '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.' Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, the movie has been a smash box office success, collecting a blockbuster $163 million in its opening weekend domestically, as well as an additional $150 million from outside the U.S. On social media, numerous fans shared that they had witnessed, or participated in, outbursts over the chicken jockey scene in theaters. 'Just got back from watching the movie myself, can confirm everyone in the theatre collectively yelled 'CHICKEN JOCKEY' during that moment and it was glorious ngl,' wrote one. In contrast, some cinema employees on TikTok have been urging viewers not to cause chaos in the screenings and to refrain from making a mess. 'Theatre employee here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just don't be obnoxious I worked both opening days and it has been a living nightmare. Nothing wrong with cheering during big moments but don't be swearing,' said one user.
Forbes
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘A Minecraft Movie' Viral TikTok Trend Is Wreaking Havoc In Theaters
An image from the "Chicken Jockey" scene in "A Minecraft Movie." A viral TikTok trend spurred by a scene in Jack Black and Jason Momoa's A Minecraft Movie is resulting in disruption and destruction in some theaters. A Minecraft Movie, of course, blew out box office projections in its opening weekend and earned $313 million at the worldwide box office. About $163 million of those box office dollars came from 4,265 North American theaters, and some theaters in the U.S. have been subject to the TikTok craze surrounding a scene in the movie adaptation of the blockbuster Mojang Studios video game. Black stars as Steve in A Minecraft Movie, a wannabe miner who finds a mystical portal that transports him to the Overworld — a fantastical place where he can build anything he imagines out of blocks. All the creatures in the Overworld are block-shaped as well, and one faction — called the Piglins — takes Steve hostage because he possesses a powerful cube that they want to use for nefarious purposes. Steve can prevent the disaster, though, when a group of outcasts — Garrett (Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Stan), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks) – find the portal and rescue him. During the film, one of the Overworld's zombie creatures rides atop a chicken character in a scene with Black and Momoa in a wrestling ring, which has prompted some audiences to get obnoxious for the sake of capturing the moment on video to post on social media platforms like TikTok. In a video posted on X, the 'Chicken Jockey' scene prompts a loud outburst from the crowd, theatergoers through popcorn and a patron holding a live chicken in the air. Some theaters are being damaged by vandals at showings of A Minecraft Movie, according to different publications including The Hollywood Reporter. In one case, the Township Theatre in Washington, N.J., has enacted a new policy where any minor who wants to see the film must be accompanied by 'a responsible adult.' If they're not accompanied, they won't be admitted, the venue warned in a Facebook post. 'We want to make all parents aware of an unfortunate situation that occurred at Township Theatre last night during a showing of The Minecraft Movie,' the Township Theatre said in the Facebook post to parents earlier this week. 'Large groups of unsupervised boys engaged in completely unacceptable behavior, including vandalism,' Township Theatre added in the Facebook post. 'We also received multiple complaints from other moviegoers who were trying to enjoy the film with their families. Video footage of the incident has been obtained.' Reacting to the destructive craze at A Minecraft Movie, the theatrical trade group Cinema United — formerly the National Association of Theater Owners — issued a memo to its thousands of members filled with voluntary guidelines, per THR. According to the trade publication, Cinema United has recommended pre-show announcements and urges calling the police if situations escalate. Rated PG, A Minecraft Movie is projected to have another big weekend in its second Friday to Sunday frame.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Minecraft Movie director responds to viral ‘chicken jockey' trend after movie theaters ban unaccompanied kids
A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess has responded to the viral 'chicken jockey' trend after it emerged some movie theaters are now banning unaccompanied children. In the movie, which arrived in theaters on Friday, Jack Black 's character sees a baby zombie fall onto the back of a chicken and shouts 'chicken jockey!', causing theater-goers to erupt into chaos by screaming or throwing popcorn. For those wondering, a chicken jockey — a baby zombie riding a chicken — is an extremely rare phenomenon in the game. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hess said he's been staying up into the night watching videos of fans reacting to that and other moments from the film. "It's been so bananas," he said. "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." On Sunday, the Township Theatre in New Jersey issued a statement on Facebook announcing that minors attending screenings of A Minecraft Movie must be 'accompanied by a parent or responsible adult,' following 'an unfortunate situation' that took place during a Saturday showing. Fans across the country have been so exuberant that one viral video showed police being called to a screening to deal with particularly rowdy cinemagoers. "It's weird when you're having too much fun and the cops get called," said Hess. "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." Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, the movie has been a smash box office success, collecting a blockbuster $163 million in its opening weekend domestically, as well as an additional $150 million from outside the U.S. On social media, numerous fans shared that they had witnessed, or participated in, outbursts over the chicken jockey scene in theaters. 'Just got back from watching the movie myself, can confirm everyone in the theatre collectively yelled 'CHICKEN JOCKEY' during that moment and it was glorious ngl,' wrote one. In contrast, some cinema employees on TikTok have been urging viewers not to cause chaos in the screenings and to refrain from making a mess. 'Theatre employee here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just don't be obnoxious I worked both opening days and it has been a living nightmare. Nothing wrong with cheering during big moments but don't be swearing,' said one user.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A Minecraft Movie director responds to viral ‘chicken jockey' trend after movie theaters ban unaccompanied kids
A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess has responded to the viral 'chicken jockey' trend after it emerged some movie theaters are now banning unaccompanied children. In the movie, which arrived in theaters on Friday, Jack Black 's character sees a baby zombie fall onto the back of a chicken and shouts 'chicken jockey!', causing theater-goers to erupt into chaos by screaming or throwing popcorn. For those wondering, a chicken jockey — a baby zombie riding a chicken — is an extremely rare phenomenon in the game. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hess said he's been staying up into the night watching videos of fans reacting to that and other moments from the film. "It's been so bananas," he said. "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." On Sunday, the Township Theatre in New Jersey issued a statement on Facebook announcing that minors attending screenings of A Minecraft Movie must be 'accompanied by a parent or responsible adult,' following 'an unfortunate situation' that took place during a Saturday showing. Fans across the country have been so exuberant that one viral video showed police being called to a screening to deal with particularly rowdy cinemagoers. "It's weird when you're having too much fun and the cops get called," said Hess. "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." Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, the movie has been a smash box office success, collecting a blockbuster $163 million in its opening weekend domestically, as well as an additional $150 million from outside the U.S. On social media, numerous fans shared that they had witnessed, or participated in, outbursts over the chicken jockey scene in theaters. 'Just got back from watching the movie myself, can confirm everyone in the theatre collectively yelled 'CHICKEN JOCKEY' during that moment and it was glorious ngl,' wrote one. In contrast, some cinema employees on TikTok have been urging viewers not to cause chaos in the screenings and to refrain from making a mess. 'Theatre employee here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just don't be obnoxious I worked both opening days and it has been a living nightmare. Nothing wrong with cheering during big moments but don't be swearing,' said one user.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
What is ‘chicken jockey' and why are Minecraft movie-goers losing their minds over it?
Younger audiences attending Minecraft Movie have been kicked out of the theater for their reaction to one specific scene involving a 'chicken jockey.' On Sunday, the Township Theatre in New Jersey issued a statement on Facebook announcing that minors attending screenings of A Minecraft Movie must be 'accompanied by a parent or responsible adult,' following 'an unfortunate situation' that took place during a Saturday showing. In the movie, which hit theaters on Friday, Jack Black 's character sees a baby zombie fall onto the back of a chicken, causing theater-goers to erupt into chaos by screaming or throwing popcorn. For those wondering, a chicken jockey — a baby zombie riding a chicken — is an extremely rare phenomenon in the game. To see one, players need to wait for zombies to appear, which can only happen at night. Then they have to hope the zombie is a baby, another rare occurrence, and that a chicken is close enough that they spawn on top of it. The Minecraft Wikipedia page breaks down the probability of a chicken jockey's appearance using percentages. 'Each baby zombie, baby husk, baby zombie villager, baby zombified piglin, or baby drowned that spawns has a 5% chance to check for an existing chicken within a 10×6×10 box centered on the baby's spawn location and spawn riding one of those chickens if there are any,' the page reads. 'If it fails that 5% chance, there is an additional 5% chance of the baby zombie spawning mounted on a new chicken. In a chicken-free environment, each spawned zombie has a 0.25% chance of becoming a chicken jockey; if chickens are present, the chance increases to 0.4875%.' Chicken jockeys can sometimes be equipped with weapons such as a golden sword or a trident. Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, the movie has been a smash box office success, collecting a blockbuster $163 million in its opening weekend domestically, as well as an additional $150 million from outside the U.S. On social media, numerous fans shared that they had witnessed, or participated in, outbursts over the chicken jockey scene in theaters. 'My theatre clapped every time Jack Black name dropped a Minecraft item that was in the trailers, and when he said Chicken Jockey I s*** you not the entire row in front of me gave a standing ovation,' one person shared. 'Just got back from watching the movie myself, can confirm everyone in the theatre collectively yelled 'CHICKEN JOCKEY' during that moment and it was glorious ngl,' wrote another. In contrast, some cinema employees on TikTok have been urging viewers not to cause chaos in the screenings and to refrain from making a mess. 'I'm a theatre employee: by throwing water, popcorn and all that onto people (which many have been doing) yall are making our jobs harder,' said one person. 'Theatre employee here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just don't be obnoxious I worked both opening days and it has been a living nightmare. Nothing wrong with cheering during big moments but don't be swearing,' said another.
