Anaconda: Reboot of Jennifer Lopez's 1997 Film Has Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Early Talks to Star

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Rudd in London on March 21, 2024; Jennifer Lopez inAnaconda(1997); Jack Black in London on Dec. 5, 2019.Photo:Mike Marsland/WireImage; Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Mike Marsland/WireImage; Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Anacondais tightening its grip on audiences once more.

PEOPLE has learned thatJack BlackandPaul Ruddare in early talks to star in apreviously announced rebootof the 1997 horror flick that starredJennifer LopezandIce Cube, but deals are not completed. The new movie will not be a direct remake of the original.

Reps for Black, 54, and Rudd, 55, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube inAnaconda(1997).Columbia Pictures

The project has been in development for a while, as sources toldTHRin January 2020 that the reboot will be a reimagining that the studio hopes will be similar to the 2018 campy shark filmThe Meg, whichraked in over $530 millionat the box office.

The originalAnacondawas released in April 1997 and starred Lopez — who, less than a month earlier, wowed audiences with her star-making turn inSelena— as well as Ice Cube,Jon Voight,Eric Stoltz, Jonathan Hyde andOwen Wilson.

AlthoughAnacondawasn’t the biggest critical hit (and even picked up several Razzie Award nominations), it was abox-office success, grossing $136.8 million, and has become a cult classic in the 27 years since its release.

It went on to inspire three additional horror films, the first of which was released in theaters while the others went directly to video:Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid(2004),Anaconda 3: Offspring(2008),Anacondas: Trail of Blood(2009) andLake Placid vs. Anaconda(2015).

Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 25, 2018.Rick Kern/WireImage

Rick Kern/WireImage

Meanwhile, the reboot would be the first film project Black has joined since he announced his decision tocancel his band Tenacious D’s tourlast month.

The decision came after a crass joke that bandmateKyle Gassmade about theshootingthat took place at former PresidentDonald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

However, on Aug. 6, Black shared an update withEntertainment Tonight, noting that he’s not counting the longtime comedy-rock duo out completely. “I love Tenacious D … We had to take a break, but I love the D,” he said at theBorderlandspremiere in Los Angeles. “Everybody takes a break sometimes.We’ll be back.”

source: people.com