Comedy favorites Paul Rudd and Jack Black have joined forces once again, this time starring together in a fresh spin on a classic thriller. The highly anticipated Paul Rudd Anaconda movie brings the duo together as members of a daring crew, embarking on the ambitious project of shooting their own budget-friendly remake, only to be thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of an actual giant anaconda.
Years of Comic Chemistry Finally Unleashed
Fans have watched Paul Rudd and Jack Black chart impressive comedic careers independently, but their past intersection on screen consists of only a fleeting moment—their beloved parody of Beatles legends in
“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”
In that memorable scene, Jack Black took on the role of Paul McCartney, with Rudd channeling John Lennon. The dynamic between them left audiences eager for more collaboration. Now, audiences will finally see them share the spotlight in a major film once again.
“This has been a long time coming,”
Jack Black tells Empire in a new joint interview with Rudd. Their mutual admiration, as Black explains, has endured for decades.
“Me and Paul have been in a mutual-admiration society for decades,”
Black shares, underscoring the lasting respect between these two entertainers.
From Early Auditions to On-Screen Friendship
The professional bond between Rudd and Black can be traced to the early 1990s. Rudd was introduced to Black’s talent in the cult comedy “Bob Roberts,” and a month later, by coincidence, both found themselves auditioning for the same role. Rudd recalls,
“A month after that movie, I went to this audition and there was only one other actor auditioning for the part, and that was Jack,”
adding,
“And I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s the fucking guy from Bob Roberts.’ And you were very nice.”
Their paths continued to cross in the casting process for “High Fidelity.” Rudd tried out for the character Dick, a role eventually secured by Todd Louiso, while Black landed his breakout role as Barry, the enthusiastic music aficionado. Black reflects on what might have been:
“We would have been best friends.”
Remarkably, Rudd played a pivotal role in Black’s casting journey. Rudd recounts,
“I said to Stephen Frears, ‘There’s this actor named Jack Black, and he’s the guy that should play this part, because he’s also a musician and he’s really funny’,”
and adds,
“He was like, ‘What’s his name?’ He wrote it down!”
Black credits Rudd for kickstarting his film career, exclaiming, You launched my career!
Anaconda Brought to Life with Star Power
The origin story behind their collaboration in the Anaconda project is, fittingly, as winding as the film’s titular snake. In this reinvention, Rudd and Black’s characters attempt to make their own version of the killer snake movie, only to find themselves threatened by a real, rampaging creature.
Their joint venture in the upcoming movie follows years of missed opportunities and near-miss audition stories, now culminating in a full-fledged team-up that fans have long wanted. Empire’s latest issue, “The Odyssey,” features an extended interview with both stars about their journeys, past intersections, and what viewers can expect from their wild new adventure.
The Film’s Impact and Release
Paul Rudd and Jack Black’s new project is set to bring renewed attention to the cult status of the original “Anaconda”, thanks to their comedic chemistry and adventurous spirit. The film is scheduled for its UK cinema debut on December 26, offering fans a post-holiday event to anticipate. Industry observers expect their collaboration to generate strong interest, both from loyal fans and those intrigued by this unique pairing. With such celebrated names leading the cast and a story as unpredictable as the serpent at its center, audiences can look forward to thrills and laughs in equal measure.
