The upcoming film Tom Gormican — best known for directing The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent — just gave fans a major treat: previously unseen footage from the new Anaconda (2025 film), featuring comedy heavyweights Jack Black and Paul Rudd. The preview was revealed at CCXP 2025, and it has ratcheted up excitement for what promises to be an “off-the-rails” take on the classic snake-horror franchise. Hollywood Reporter+1
For longtime fans of the original 1997 classic, this iteration is not quite a straight reboot — but rather a tongue-in-cheek reimagining that celebrates the franchise’s campy origins while leaning hard into comedy, dark humor, and over-the-top thrills.
What We Know — And What the Clip Teases
In the newly revealed footage, Gormican gives audiences a glimpse into the film’s tone: part madcap buddy comedy, part creature feature. While the clip is mostly a tease — offering atmosphere, vibes, and glimpses rather than full narrative details — it’s enough to convey a bold shift from chilling horror to sardonic, self-aware chaos. According to those who saw it at CCXP, you get suspense and comedy, mixed with some serious snake trouble. The Times of India+1
The official premise, as revealed earlier, centers on two friends — played by Black and Rudd — who travel deep into the Amazon with a dream: to shoot what they hope will be a remake of the original “Anaconda.” Their plans go off the rails, however, when they instead encounter a real giant anaconda. That’s when the fictional movie set turns into a literal fight for survival.
There’s an addictive, self-referential energy to that setup — the film will both poke fun at classic creature-feature tropes while delivering real stakes and danger. And based on the footage, that balance could be wildly entertaining.
Cast, Crew and Where It Stands
“Anaconda (2025)” is directed by Tom Gormican, who co-wrote the screenplay with longtime collaborator Kevin Etten. It stars Jack Black as Doug McCallister and Paul Rudd as Griff — best friends who decide to chase an absurd dream. Wikipedia+1
The cast is rounded out by a number of well-known and talented actors: Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello, among others. Wikipedia+1
On the production side: the film is backed by Columbia Pictures and Fully Formed Entertainment, and will be distributed via Sony Pictures Releasing. Wikipedia+1
The 2025 “Anaconda” does not attempt a straight remake of the 1997 original — which starred Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Owen Wilson — but rather reframes the story as a self-aware, meta-style horror-comedy. TheWrap+2Wikipedia+2
What the Clip Means for the Film’s Tone
From the CCXP footage, it’s clear this “Anaconda” wants to have fun: the snippets shown suggest a film that leans heavily into irony, humor, and bold genre-mixing. The danger — a giant snake — is real, but the reactions, context, and casting lean into comedy and satire. The Times of India+1
That’s consistent with what was previously revealed via the first trailer, released in September 2025: the story sets off as a freakish buddy comedy (two middle-aged dudes trying to remake a cult horror flick), but quickly turns into something dangerous and chaotic when the real snake shows up. The juxtaposition between absurd comedic ambition and real peril fuels much of the film’s promise. TheWrap+1
For fans of horror-comedy, that mix is often a risky balance — but here the creative team seems aware of the tone-tightrope they’re walking. The CCXP clip’s reception suggests they might just pull it off.
Why This Matters: Nostalgia, Reinvention — and a Fresh take for 2025
The original “Anaconda” remains a cult favorite — a late-90s creature feature with enough scares and ick-factor to earn its place in horror-movie memory. By resurrecting it as a horror-comedy with comedic stars like Paul Rudd and Jack Black, Gormican and team are leaning into both nostalgia and reinvention.
That dual approach could attract older fans who remember the original while also drawing in newer audiences who appreciate humor and meta commentaries. The fact that the film stars two recognizable comedy actors — not genre-type horror leads — signals that this version aims to be different from past entries. Hindustan Times+2Wikipedia+2
Moreover, by debuting the footage at CCXP, the filmmakers tapped directly into fan enthusiasm — giving a behind-the-scenes taste that amps up anticipation while still keeping most of the plot under wraps. That sense of mystery, combined with bold tone and strong casting, makes “Anaconda (2025)” one of the more intriguing genre flicks coming this holiday season.
What We Still Don’t Know (But Are Curious About)
Despite the new clip, much remains a mystery. While we know the basic premise (friends making a movie, real snake shows up), we don’t know exactly how far the film will push horror versus comedy. Will it be mostly funny with horror elements? Or horror-heavy with comedic relief? The balance is unclear — which could work to its advantage or disadvantage.
Also unknown are the fates of supporting characters — like Thandiwe Newton’s or Steve Zahn’s roles — and how much screen time the titular snake will actually get. Will it be a “big bad” throughout, or show up only for portions? The clip doesn’t tell.
Finally, while the meta-idea of remaking a fictional version of the original “Anaconda” is clever, execution matters. Will the film lean into satire and self-awareness, or slip into campy silliness? Watching the final result will tell.
Conclusion: A Reboot That Could Surprise
With the CCXP-reveal of unseen footage, “Anaconda (2025)” has transformed from just another reboot into a potentially bold, genre-blending film. With veterans like Jack Black and Paul Rudd at the forefront, and a creative team unafraid to mix horror, satire, and buddy-comedy vibes, the new “Anaconda” could be more than a cash-grab — it could be a fun, wild ride.
If the footage is any indication, fans should brace themselves: this isn’t your parents’ creature feature. It’s loud, chaotic, sly, and intent on giving you thrills and laughs. For anyone who loves horror-comedy, or just wants to see a giant snake do real damage in the Amazon — all while a couple of midlifers try to “make a movie” — this may be the weird, wild film to watch.
