Columbia Pictures is hoping to bring a fresh take on the 1997 horror thriller Anaconda. The studio is in the early stages of developing a new take of the original film, which famously starred Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Owen Wilson, and Jon Voight as a National Geographic crew and a riverboat captain as they embark on a dangerous journey down the Amazon River in search of the world’s largest snake.
The new version is not a remake but a new take with the same snake front and center and expected to take a more comedic approach, with Tom Gormican, known for directing The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, at the helm. Gormican is co-writing the script with his frequent collaborator Kevin Etten.
In this updated storyline, a group of friends, all grappling with mid-life crises, decide to remake their favorite childhood movie—only to find themselves embroiled in a dangerous adventure deep in the jungle. Early talks suggest that Jack Black and Paul Rudd are being eyed for lead roles. While the details are still under wraps, it’s rumored that Black may play a wedding videographer-turned-director, and Rudd could take on the role of an actor whose career peaked with a minor role in a TV cop show. However, some sources suggest the roles could be reversed.
The project has been in development at Columbia since early 2023, with the studio and filmmakers working through multiple script revisions to strike the right balance of humor and suspense. Fully Formed, the production company led by Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, is producing the movie. Fuller and Form recently secured a first-look deal with Sony’s Screen Gems division.
Given the original Anaconda’s box office success—grossing $136 million worldwide and spawning several sequels—Columbia Pictures has high hopes for this new iteration. The original film’s unexpected popularity has kept the franchise alive, with subsequent movies ranging from theatrical releases to made-for-TV films.
Jack Black, who recently lent his voice to The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Kung Fu Panda 4, is currently slated to star in Warner Bros.’ upcoming Minecraft movie. Paul Rudd, who last appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, has several projects on the horizon, including A24’s Death of a Unicorn and the music-driven drama Power Ballad.
(Originally read on Deadline, THR)