A tense chase scene in the new Anaconda movie was almost derailed by an unexpected and hilarious problem: Jack Black’s gas. Co-stars Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn revealed that a lunch of beans led to a cascade of flatulence that sent the entire cast, including Paul Rudd, into uncontrollable laughter during a critical moment of filming.
The 2025 film, a self-aware reboot of the 1997 cult horror movie, features Black, Rudd, Newton, and Zahn as childhood friends who attempt to remake their favorite film, only to encounter a real giant snake. The movie, directed by Tom Gormican, is now playing in theaters.
What Happened During The Chaotic Scene?
According to Newton, the trouble began during the shooting of a suspenseful sequence where the four main characters were being chased by the titular creature. The scene required them to run down an alleyway with a camera crane—standing in for “the beast”—following close behind.
The actors were managing the physical demands of the scene until they had to deliver a scripted, emotional line. As Newton explained, “Paul has the ultimate line, which is such a call back to our characters’ childhoods. He lifts up whatever he’s lifting up, and he rips the biggest fart you have ever f***ing heard. And we are done”.
Steve Zahn simply added, “We all just collapsed”. The moment of shared, juvenile humor broke the professional tension completely, forcing multiple takes.
How The Cast Bonded Into Real Friends
The on-set laughter was not an isolated incident but a hallmark of the entire production. Both Newton and Zahn emphasize that the experience of making the film forged a genuine, lasting friendship among the cast.
“This is a reunion. I didn’t want it to end,” said Thandiwe Newton. “We need to laugh, man. We need to get some lightness and also remember what we can achieve as a group of people together”.
Zahn described the unique atmosphere, noting that instead of retreating to their trailers between shots, the cast would stay on set together in a tent, constantly talking and making each other laugh. He called the project a “perfect storm” and even “medicine” in a time of cultural cynicism. The bond was particularly natural between Black and Rudd, who have known each other for years but had never before co-starred in a major film together.
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A New Take On A Cult Classic
The new Anaconda is not a straightforward remake. Director Tom Gormican, who co-wrote the script with Kevin Etten, pitched it to Sony as “The Big Chill becomes Anaconda“. After the studio had heard dozens of pitches for a standard reboot, Gormican’s meta-comedy approach—similar in style to his previous film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent—won them the job.
The story follows four disillusioned friends who reunite to film their own amateur remake of the 1997 movie. Their project is hilariously upstaged when the official, big-budget Sony sequel, led by a cameo from Ice Cube, cruises past them on the Amazon River. The film also features a last-minute, mid-credits cameo from Jennifer Lopez, who plays herself.
How Critics Are Receiving The Comedy
Critical reception to the film has been mixed. Some reviewers have praised its silly humor and heartfelt moments, while others have found its meta-comedy to be uneven.
- Positive Take: Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence gave the film a B, calling it “a silly yet successful enough distraction” that succeeds on the charm of its cast and its sincere message about friendship.
- Negative Take: Conversely, Matt Donato of IGN scored it a 4 out of 10, criticizing “hacky bits and ineffective storytelling”. David Ehrlich of IndieWire rated it a C, describing it as a “soggy first draft”.
Despite the divided critical opinion, the film has highlighted the potent, long-overdue comedic pairing of Jack Black and Paul Rudd. In interviews, the two have even expressed interest in seeing each other return to past iconic roles, with Rudd voicing a desire for more of Black’s Nacho Libre and Black hoping for more of Rudd’s Ant-Man.
