Fans of giant snakes and creature features pay attention, as Sony Pictures has announced a release date for the upcoming Anaconda reboot. Yes, nearly 30 years later, the time has come for the classic ‘90s creature feature to get a modern update. In this case, two actors primarily known for comedy, namely Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda, School of Rock) and Paul Rudd (Anchorman, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) are headlining what figures to be a very different take on the franchise.
In the above video, Black and Rudd are goofing around on the set of Anaconda, before revealing that it will hit theaters on December 25, 2025. Indeed, giant snake action on Christmas Day. Mark your calendars and plan accordingly. We’re getting Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu on Christmas this year, so why not more horror for the holidays next year?
Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) directs the film. He also co-wrote the script alongside Kevin Etten. Daniella Melchior (The Suicide Squad) also stars. Plot details for the reboot are being kept under wraps but it’s said to put a “comedic spin” on the material. The original film, directed by Luis Llosa, featured an all-star cast led by Jennifer Lopez and was an earnest attempt to make a big-budget monster movie. It was a pretty big hit in its day, leading to a series of sequels, including 2004’s Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid.
From there, the films went the DTV route, with 2008’s Anaconda 3: Offspring, 2009’s Anacondas: Trail of Blood, 2015’s Lake Placid vs. Anaconda and, most recently, a Chinese remake of Anaconda that was released earlier this year. This all implies that the films are profitable for Sony, meaning it was only a matter of time before they brought it back to the big screen.
Rudd, for what it's worth, isn't a total stranger to horror. Outside of his work in the recent Ghostbusters films, one of his first roles was in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. He's also due to star in A24's The Death of a Unicorn next year. As for Black, he's got less genre experience, but he did appear in the Goosebumps films. He also played Satan in this year's mostly comedic Dear Santa.
For now, we have lots of questions. Is there actually going to be horror mixed in with the comedy? Or is this going to be more of an out-and-out comedy? The original works because it was so earnest and, even when it doesn’t work, it’s pretty compelling. Jon Voight’s work in the film is truly unforgettable, for better or worse. Here’s hoping Gormican has found the right take on it.
Look for the new Anaconda movie in theaters next Christmas. For more, get the lowdown on the forthcoming Tremors reboot.
