Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Talks to Star in Comedic Re-imagining of Anaconda by Tom Gormican

by bollywoodfever · 21/08/2024

Jack Black and Paul Rudd are in early talks to star in Columbia Pictures’ comedic re-imagining of Anaconda, directed by Tom Gormican and focusing on a group of friends remaking their favorite movie.

Bollywood Fever: Jack Black and Paul Rudd are in early negotiations to star in Columbia Pictures’ upcoming re-imagining of Anaconda, a project that will be written and directed by Tom Gormican.

Gormican, known for his work on The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Nicolas Cage, is bringing a more comedic twist to the serpentine saga, co-writing the script with Kevin Etten.

While details about the film remain scarce, it’s clear this new Anaconda is not a remake of the 1997 cult classic that featured Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, and Ice Cube as a National Geographic film crew taken hostage by a crazed hunter (Jon Voight) on a mission to capture the world’s largest snake.

That original thriller was a surprise hit, earning $136 million globally and spawning four sequels.

Gormican’s version is expected to take a meta approach, reportedly centering on a group of friends facing mid-life crises who decide to remake their favorite childhood movie—only to find that their jungle adventure quickly turns perilous.

It’s not yet confirmed who Black and Rudd will portray, but two lead characters are described as a director who moonlights as a wedding videographer and an actor whose career peak was a stint on a cop show.

Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Talks to Star in Comedic Re-imagining of Anaconda by Tom Gormican

The project is being produced by Brad Fuller and Andrew Form under their Fully Formed banner.

The film has been in development for some time, and just this week, Variety reported that Form, known for producing the A Quiet Place franchise, signed a first-look deal with Sony division Screen Gems. Both Black and Rudd have strong ties to Sony, with Black starring in the hit Jumanji franchise and Rudd featured in the Ghostbusters films.

Jack Black is represented by Sloane Offer, while Paul Rudd is repped by UTA and Lighthouse Management. Tom Gormican is represented by CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment.