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Anaconda’ Opens With Jack Black and Paul Rudd as Meta Reboot Draws Mixed Reviews

The new film reframes the 1997 cult title as a self-aware buddy adventure rather than a straight creature horror.

Overview

  • Sony released Anaconda in theaters on December 25, directed by Tom Gormican and co-written with Kevin Etten, with leads Jack Black and Paul Rudd joined by Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Daniela Melchior and Selton Mello.
  • Early critical reaction is divided, with praise for Black and Rudd’s chemistry and the nostalgic, self-referential conceit, and recurring notes about uneven tone and muted scares.
  • Cameos from Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube are confirmed, and Gormican says Lopez’s appearance was filmed on November 17 as a late addition.
  • The film includes an epilogue that hints at a follow-up without revealing story details.
  • Analysts expect a PVOD debut roughly 4–6 weeks after release and a Netflix launch about three months later, and trade reports cite a production budget near $45 million.