The unexpected resurgence of the Anaconda franchise remains astonishing, as Emmy winner Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn have joined an already illustrious ensemble cast. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, these actors will share screen time with previously announced leads Paul Rudd and Jack Black in Columbia Pictures’ humorous take on the 1997 cult favorite. Brazilian sensation Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior from The Suicide Squad, and Say Anything’s Ione Skye have also joined the cast for this production, which is currently being filmed in Australia under the guidance of Tom Gormican, director of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. If anyone claims they predicted any of this for their 2025 cinema bingo, they are deceiving, as this movie seems to be one of the least expected productions ever.
If the fresh faces seem familiar to you, it’s likely because they have starred in some of the most acclaimed TV shows from the last ten years. Notably, Newton gained an Emmy for her portrayal of Maeve in Westworld, while Zahn garnered critical acclaim for his roles in The White Lotus and Silo. At present, Newton is using her vocal skills for Mufasa: The Lion King and is set to appear in the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday. Meanwhile, Zahan will share screen time with Glen Powell in Hulu’s upcoming series Chad Powers.
In contrast to the original Anaconda movie’s straightforward horror style, the recent adaptation takes a completely different direction. Instead of following a documentary team in search of the world’s largest snake like the 1997 version, this new take focuses on a group of friends dealing with mid-life crises who decide to reenact their favorite childhood film. In this modern version, Black is depicted as a disillusioned wedding videographer with unfulfilled directorial aspirations, while Rudd plays a former TV star grappling with his fading Hollywood dreams. Newton and Zahn also feature in the movie as additional childhood friends caught up in this unfortunate expedition. Mello is cast as a Brazilian animal handler, and Skye portrays Black’s spouse. At this point, there are no details available on Melchior’s character role.
Anaconda Is Going From Horror to Comedy
As a seasoned movie critic, I found myself revisiting the beginnings of the Anaconda saga – a thrilling journey that initially starred Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight in a classic creature-feature setting. The original film garnered mixed responses from critics, yet it paved the way for numerous direct-to-video sequels, such as Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid and an intriguing crossover with the Lake Placid series. However, Columbia Pictures seems to be steering the franchise in a new direction, aiming more for the comedic-yet-meta approach of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, rather than sticking strictly to traditional horror tropes.
The changeover of the Anaconda series, originally a B-movie horror franchise, into a possible holiday box-office hit is an unconventional turn in Hollywood reboots. Slated for release on December 25, 2025, the film aims to offer an alternative to conventional Christmas movies. The presence of comedy veterans like Black and Rudd hints at a significantly different tone compared to the original’s raw thrills. Moreover, the inclusion of Newton and Zahn suggests the studio’s aim to upgrade the content to a higher level.
Director Gormican’s past project, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” showcases his skill in combining meta-comedy with authentic action scenes and character growth. This expertise could be invaluable for “Anaconda,” as it intends to merge laugh-out-loud humor about movie-making with genuine jungle danger. The concept is intriguing, and it might just lead to an unexpected blockbuster hit in 2025.
The Anaconda reboot slithers into theaters on December 25, 2025.
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2025-01-20 13:09