Minecraft actor Sebastian Hansen on growing up onscreen and staying grounded.
At first glance, Sebastian Hansen, 15, looks like many other Atlanta high schoolers juggling homework, band practice and weekends with friends. But on screen, he’s become one of Hollywood’s recognizable young faces, thanks in large part to his starring role in A Minecraft Movie, the blockbuster that became one of the highest-grossing releases of 2025. For Hansen, the leap from “regular kid” to global franchise star has been swift, but the foundation beneath it has been years in the making.
Hansen’s parents noticed his natural ease with people and performance at a young age. “I was a precocious child with an outgoing spirit and found it easy to build rapport with others,” he says. “They saw how comfortable I was communicating and encouraged me to explore creative outlets.” Along with acting classes, Hansen participated in music and theater programs.
One of his first professional roles came at age 8 on Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle,” though Hansen admits his memories of that experience are hazy. A later project, however, left a lasting imprint. In the film Just Mercy, Hansen shared the screen with Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx. “That felt like my first real big role,” he says. “I was surrounded by such talented actors, and it was a fun experience. [Director] Destin Daniel Cretton was incredibly kind and gave me latitude to make character suggestions. Michael B. Jordan really encouraged me and made me feel proud of my talent.”
As he’s grown older, Hansen’s understanding of acting and filmmaking has deepened. “When I started, I didn’t fully grasp how many people it takes to make a film,” he says. “Now I really understand how my performance fits into the bigger story.” A turning point came with Apple TV+’s “Lisey’s Story,” adapted from Stephen King’s novel and directed by Pablo Larraín. “He expected a lot from me, which made me work even harder,” Hansen says. “I had to really understand the full storyline, the character’s emotions and the complexity of the world we were building.”
That sense of curiosity carried into A Minecraft Movie, where Hansen plays Henry, a character navigating change with creativity and imagination alongside industry titans including Jennifer Coolidge and Jason Momoa. “I related to Henry a lot,” he says. “I’m in high school and navigating big changes, and I’ve always liked tinkering, taking things apart to see how they work.” He’d love to work again with Minecraft co-star Jack Black, whom he credits with teaching him to enjoy the process. “I learned so much from him. He’s genuinely a good-hearted person, and I really respect him.”
Off set, Hansen wants to keep life feeling normal. Balancing school with major film projects isn’t easy, but a strong support system helps. “I definitely have to sacrifice some personal time, but it’s worth it,” he says. On a typical school day, he attends classes and heads to marching band practice, where he plays the quints, a set of five drums. Hansen also enjoys video games, playing drums at home, making his own music, movie nights at Phipps Plaza and hanging out with friends.
“As a family, we like to try new restaurants. I think I have been to many of the great and local restaurants in Buckhead. Sushi is my favorite so I’m always down to try a new spot,” he says.
Looking ahead, Hansen is eager to keep challenging himself. He’s interested in exploring roles involving stunts or pursuing a character in a drama or thriller. “I’m open to anything that helps me grow,” he says.
With a Minecraft sequel already in the works, Hansen’s career momentum shows no signs of slowing. Still, he remains grounded. “I’ve been really lucky to have found the support and encouragement I needed, and I hope I can keep doing what I love while inspiring others to do the same.”
@thesebastianhansen
