Steve Zahn, who stars in Anaconda, thinks that Sony’s upcoming meta-reboot Anaconda (2025) is coming at the right time. He says that the Paul Rudd and Jack Black-led giant-snake comedy is the kind of silly escape that modern audiences want. The actor from Silo and Treme also uses the new interview to finally put to rest long-running rumors that he turned down a role in AMC’s hit show Breaking Bad.
Tom Gormican is in charge of Anaconda (2025), a funny remake of the 1997 cult horror movie that starred Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube. The new movie is about a group of weird friends who are all going through a midlife crisis. They go into the jungle to remake the original Anaconda, but they have to deal with natural disasters, dangerous criminals, and, of course, a huge killer snake. Zahn stars with Rudd, Black, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello in the Sony Pictures movie that comes out on Christmas Day.
Zahn says that in a world full of conflict and heavy news cycles, unabashedly silly, high-concept adventure comedies like Anaconda can feel like a breath of fresh air. He says that the movie’s mix of practical jokes, throwback creature-feature energy, and improvised chemistry between the main characters is a deliberate return to big, loud studio comedies that are meant to be seen in crowded theaters. The actor says that off-screen, it was often as chaotic as anything in the script to keep Rudd and Black focused on set.
The new Anaconda also uses a lot of meta-humor, winking at the 1997 original and letting the actors make fun of their own characters. Fans of the first movie can expect references to the Lopez–Ice Cube jungle classic. The reboot is both a parody and a tribute. Early footage and photos show off the intricate jungle sets, wild snake attacks, and the cast’s willingness to use slapstick and self-deprecating humor.
In another part of the conversation, Zahn finally clears up a rumor about Breaking Bad that has been going around for years. Bryan Cranston has joked in the past that Zahn was once up for a role on the AMC drama, but the actor sets the record straight and says that he has nothing but respect for the show’s final cast. Zahn thinks about how an actor’s career can change at any time, from high-end TV shows to comedies about giant snakes.
With buzz building from trailers, junket interviews, and social media reactions, Anaconda (2025) is setting itself up as a major holiday counter-programming option for people who “like big snakes and can’t lie.” Rudd and Black have both said that the movie’s silly plot is balanced by surprising heart, as its older main characters deal with regret, friendship, and second chances in the most over-the-top way possible. The movie will be in theaters on December 25, 2025, which will give fans of creature features and comedies a new reason to go to the movies.
