When Middle-Aged Heroes Take the Spotlight
- JP de la Rama
- Aug 10
- 3 min read
What Minecraft’s Steve (and Jack Black) Can Teach Us About Storytelling
"In art, perfection gets attention — but connection wins hearts. Your next hero doesn’t need to be flawless. They just need to be unforgettable."
Setting the Stage
Times have changed.
The heroes kids look up to today aren’t just chiseled action stars or hyper-stylized superheroes — they can be… middle-aged men in jeans and a blocky T-shirt.
Case in point: Jack Black’s portrayal of Steve in the hit Minecraft movie.
My five-year-old doesn’t just recognize him — she screams “Sttteeevvveee!” whenever Jack Black appears on TV or YouTube.
And she’s not alone.
The movie smashed expectations, and Steve action figures are flying off shelves — yes, middle-aged action figures that both kids and adult collectors want.
If you told me years ago that I could one day cosplay a popular middle-aged character and still get “cool points,” I’d have laughed.
But here we are.
Why This Matters to Artists and Storytellers
Back in the day, mainstream media and pop culture followed a predictable formula:
Macho guys with perfect abs.
Gorgeous women with impossible proportions.
Youth, beauty, and flawless aesthetics are the main selling points.
And let’s be honest — those archetypes still exist and still sell. But the game has changed.
We now live in an era where character-driven narratives are king.
Where audiences connect with flaws, quirks, and relatability over pure aesthetics.
The world has shifted towards representation, depth, and emotional connection.
Minecraft’s Steve is not stylish.
He’s not ripped.
He’s not a fashion icon.
He’s literally a blocky everyman. And yet, because of the cultural weight of Minecraft and the charm of Jack Black’s performance, he’s become iconic.
This tells us something important: A well-written, well-loved character can transcend appearances, age, and stereotypes.
In art, it’s the story and connection that make a character legendary, not the symmetry of their jawline.
As artists, we sometimes trap ourselves in outdated thinking — believing our characters have to look a certain way to be appealing.
But modern audiences are hungry for authenticity.
How to Apply This to Your Work
1. Build Characters Around Personality, Not Perfection
Think about how your character feels to the audience, not just how they look. Does the viewer see themselves in them? Can they root for them?
2. Embrace Unlikely Heroes
Don’t be afraid to design protagonists who break the traditional mold. Maybe your lead is older, heavier, awkward, or “ordinary.” That might make them more interesting.
3. Let Story Drive Appeal
The most iconic characters aren’t remembered for their abs or hair. They’re remembered for their moments. Steve’s iconic status comes from years of players experiencing adventures through him.
4. Think Beyond Trends
If you’re creating for the long haul, avoid chasing whatever’s “hot” today. Aim for timeless themes: friendship, resilience, humor, hope.
5. Remember — You Might Be Cosplaying Your Own Hero One Day
Who knows? The next popular character might look a lot like… you.
In the current landscape of art and entertainment, anyone can be the main character — if you make them unforgettable.
Looks might catch attention, but connection wins hearts.
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