A new comedic twist on the 1997 thriller Anaconda was unveiled at CinemaCon, with Paul Rudd and Jack Black taking center stage in a playful video segment to introduce the upcoming film.
During the studio’s presentation at the Las Vegas event on Monday, the two stars—who headline the reimagined film directed by Tom Gormican—joked about their current location. While Rudd and Black filmed the movie in Australia, they expressed regret about not being there at the time. “I wish we were there right now,” Black quipped.
Rudd added humor to the moment, saying, “We should probably talk about our movie because let’s face it, this is one big commercial.” The pair continued with tongue-in-cheek comments about the film, highlighting the main attraction: the legendary anaconda. “Get ready to meet the real star of the film: the anaconda itself,” Rudd teased, before the duo playfully acted as if a giant snake had escaped.
The comedic duo was joined on stage by Sony film chief Tom Rothman, who made his entrance to the iconic tune of “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, known for its references to a different kind of anaconda.
Scheduled for release on December 25, Anaconda is directed by Tom Gormican, known for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Gormican co-wrote the script with Kevin Etten. The film is produced by Brad Fuller and Andrew Form through Fully Formed.
Earlier this year, Rudd and Black teased the project in a video, with Black humorously declaring, “There’s gonna be a big fucking snake, and it’s gonna rip.” The project was first reported in August as being in development.
The 1997 original Anaconda, directed by Luis Llosa, starred Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight. The horror film about a National Geographic crew hunting the world’s deadliest snake grossed over $136 million worldwide (equivalent to $269 million today) and sparked several sequels.
Rudd, fresh off his starring role in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, is also currently featured alongside Jenna Ortega in Death of a Unicorn. Black continues to make waves with his voice roles in Kung Fu Panda 4 and Borderlands.
Related topics:
‘Red Sonja’ Reboot Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films for U.S. Release
“The End”: A Grim Musical Warning of Denial
“The Assessment”: Nature and Parenting in a Dystopian World