Minecraft director slammed over very controversial comments after moviegoers RIOT in theaters

A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess has been fiercely criticized for his comments about the messy ‘Chicken Jockey’ trend – a chaotic craze born from his new release which has continued to wreak havoc in cinemas worldwide.

The viral trend at its most tame – which has been sparked by one of the movie’s scene – has seen popcorn thrown all over cinema floors.

But in some instances fights have broken out, people have vomited in the aisles and, on one occasion in Alaska, the cops were called.

The chaos has been captured in countless videos posted on social media, many of which depict the stomach-churning aftermath of screenings, with empty movie theatres left covered in debris and vomit.

At the root of it all is a scene from the film that depicts Aquaman star Jason Momoa, who plays washed-up gaming champion Garret ‘The Garbage Man’ Garrison, going head-to-head in a ring fight with a baby zombie riding a chicken.

The latter is a character from the game, albeit one who features rarely, that chases and attempts to kill players and virtual villagers.

As the zombie appears after being dropped into the ring in a wooden crate, the Jumanji and Kung Fu Panda star Jack Black, in the role of player character Steve, announces ‘Chicken Jockey’ – at which point all hell breaks loose both on and off screen.

The phenomenon started as a viral TikTok trend but is rapidly acquiring a life of its own, with each new audience emulating the last – to the dismay of parents and cinema staff alike.

In a new interview, A Minecraft Movie director Hess said he found it ‘funny’ that fans were throwing popcorn and that he is ‘glad people are making memories with their friends and families.’

‘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.’

Turning his attention to the messy trend, he continued to Entertainment Weekly: ‘It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called.

‘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.’

However, Hess’s comments didn’t sit well with fans, with some arguing that he doesn’t care about theatre employees.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one scolded: ‘Of course he only cares about his pockets and not the damage his scene has done to employees.’

‘So he’s glad that they’re also ruining the theaters…’ another remarked.

A third said: ‘Yeah… I bet the workers love cleaning up the wasted food that could’ve been used better because of one of two scenes from a movie…’

‘I think it’s cool if people are happy about a movie they like but trashing a whole movie theatre over it is a huge overreaction and pretty disrespectful,’ blasted another.

A fifth added with a touch of sarcasm: ‘Those kids at that theatre were definitely making memories for the cleaning staff alright.’

‘He should call out all the kids throwing popcorn on the floor, it’s not fair to the cinema workers,’ urged another.

Amid the chaos, A Minecraft Movie has enjoyed a buoyant opening, taking $301 million (£235 million) globally. Box-office takings in the US of $157 million set a new record for a video game adaptation.

In an interview between Black and Momoa for the US ticketing company Fandango, the Aquaman actor described filming the chicken jockey scene as ‘humiliating’ and ‘very challenging’.

‘I had to use a lot of imagination,’ said Momoa. ‘But when I saw the movie, hilarious, the best. It’s one of the funniest moments.’