Mysterious Desert Structure Fuels Speculation About Secret ‘Minecraft 2’ Set
Excitement for the sequel to 2025’s blockbuster video game adaptation is on the rise, with fans eagerly searching for any set news. The original film became a cultural sensation, and the demand for details has only intensified as production on the sequel progresses.
‘A Minecraft Movie Squared‘ has maintained strict confidentiality regarding plot details since filming began, with the cast and crew primarily offering vague hints about new biomes and deeper explorations of the Overworld. This secrecy has only fueled fans’ desire for any sneak peeks, whether official or not.
This week, Instagram user @emabelicova shared a video that appears to show a mysterious black structure in a stretch of red-rock desert. The clip features a tall, dark rectangular frame set in the sand, surrounded by scattered production gear and green cover panels.
The Instagram video features an on-screen caption that reads, “Accidentally getting on the set of Minecraft 2 was NOT on my 2026 bingo card,” indicating that the person filming stumbled upon the location unexpectedly rather than being part of an official set visit. The structure’s blocky, door-like appearance has fans quickly making comparisons to a Nether portal frame, one of the game’s most iconic symbols.
While it remains unconfirmed whether this desert location is linked to the film, the rugged terrain does not seem to match the New Zealand landscapes previously reported as the sequel’s main filming site. Nevertheless, speculation has spread rapidly, with online commenters already debating the significance of the structure in the storyline.
‘A Minecraft Movie Squared’ is the officially confirmed sequel to ‘A Minecraft Movie’, which became one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations of all time, earning nearly $1 billion worldwide against a $150 million budget. Jared Hess returns to direct, co-writing the screenplay with Chris Galletta this time.
Many of the original cast members are returning for the sequel. Jason Momoa will reprise his role as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, Jack Black returns as Steve, Danielle Brooks is back as Dawn, and Jennifer Coolidge will once again play Vice Principal Marlene. Matt Berry, who voiced Nitwit in the first film, is also returning, although in a different and undisclosed role this time.
The most significant new addition to the cast is Kirsten Dunst, who joined the production earlier this year as Alex, a character who only briefly appeared in the first movie’s post-credits scene. Alex is one of the two default player avatars from the original ‘Minecraft’ game, alongside Steve, so her expanded role suggests the sequel may delve deeper into the source material.
Filming for ‘A Minecraft Movie Squared’ began in New Zealand in the spring, retracing some of the original shoot’s steps. The sequel’s title itself underwent several changes before arriving at its final version, having briefly been called ‘A Minecraft Sequel’ before Warner Bros. opted for the punny ‘A Minecraft Movie Squared’ during a Minecraft Live event.
No official plot details have been released for the sequel, leaving fans to speculate based on stray images like this desert sighting. Given the attention generated by leaked and semi-leaked images during the first film’s marketing, it wouldn’t be surprising if more accidental discoveries emerge as production continues.
For now, the desert structure remains an intriguing mystery, a tantalizing hint dropped in the middle of nowhere without any confirmation. ‘A Minecraft Movie Squared’ is set to hit theaters on July 23, 2027.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!