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SALT LAKE CITY — The viral “chicken jockey” trend led a live chicken to watch “A Minecraft Movie” in a Provo theater.
What is the ‘chicken jockey’ trend?
A massive trend on social media right now revolves around the “Minecraft” movie, where fans in the theaters throw popcorn, drinks and cause havoc when the main character Steve, played by Jack Black, announces different game items — specifically “chicken jockey.”
This trend led Provo student Chuck Nadauld and his friends to try and be a little creative.
“Me and my one other friend before the movie had driven to a farm and bought a chicken for $15,” he said.
Nadauld said he smuggled the chicken into the theaters, and it enjoyed the movie, eating popcorn at his feet, before he lifted it high in the air during the chicken jockey scene.
He and his friends were quickly removed from the theater.
‘The crowd just went crazy’
Movie theater manager Nick Gamble said he knew something was up when customers were leaving the theater and asking to get refunds because they were uncomfortable.
“I was actually supposed to be off at 6 p.m. that night but stayed to help because I knew they were going to need the help that night,” Gamble said.
He said he decided to monitor the showing and stopped the movie after someone set off an air horn. After that, the crowd settled down until the chicken jockey scene.
“The crowd just went crazy at that.”
Gamble said he never saw the chicken himself but quickly stopped the movie while another manager told them they’d have to leave. Gamble said he doesn’t want to stop anyone’s fun, but this behavior crossed a line.
“Just don’t bring items or objects that will cause harm or danger to other moviegoers,” he said.
Gamble said this incident alerted them that this kind of thing can happen to anyone, in any area, and to be prepared for this in the future.
The aftermath
Videos of Nadauld and his friends’ antics have garnered hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms.
He said he has gotten both positive and negative feedback online, including people giving him and his family death threats.
But overall, Nadauld said, “No regrets.”
However, he does wish he could have helped theater employees clean up the aftermath.
And what happened to the chicken, you may ask? Nadauld said he gave it to a farm, alive and well.
