Collider's Steve Weintraub recently sat down with acclaimed actors Jack Black and Paul Rudd to discuss their highly anticipated new film, Anaconda, and delve into their cinematic preferences, particularly their favorite movies from iconic directors. The conversation provided insights into why they chose to participate in the creature feature reboot and their personal connections to some of Hollywood's most influential works.

The new Anaconda, co-written by Tom Gormican (known for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) and Kevin Etten, is not a direct sequel to the 1990s horror classic, but rather a buddy comedy. It centers around a group of best friends, portrayed by Black (Doug), Rudd (Griff), Steve Zahn, and Thandiwe Newton, who have harbored a childhood dream of remaking the original Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez-starring film. A midlife crisis propels Doug and Griff to assemble a team and journey to the Amazon to realize this dream. However, their ambitious project quickly transforms into a terrifying nightmare when they encounter a giant anaconda, forcing them to push through the escalating horror.

Both Black and Rudd expressed their immediate enthusiasm for the project. Rudd was particularly drawn to the script due to Gormican's involvement, having been a big fan of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He described Anaconda as a "clever, weird meta take on telling this story" and found it hilarious. Black’s agent presented the script, highlighting Gormican’s connection and Rudd’s attachment, which was enough to pique his interest. Upon reading it, Black wholeheartedly committed. An amusing revelation during their initial discussions was that both actors independently believed they were cast in the role of Doug. Black further elaborated on his appreciation for the script's meta-narrative, drawing a parallel to Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder, which he admired for its "movie about a movie" recipe, where fictional filmmaking ventures lead to real-world trouble. Anaconda is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 25.

Beyond their upcoming film, the actors shared their favorite movies from legendary directors. When asked about Christopher Nolan, Jack Black emphatically chose The Dark Knight, specifically praising Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker, despite initially doubting the casting choice. He described it as a "mind-blower" and a "visual feast," recalling seeing it in IMAX. Paul Rudd also admired The Dark Knight, but highlighted Dunkirk for its unparalleled sound design and Interstellar as another strong contender from Nolan's filmography.

The discussion then shifted to Steven Spielberg. Paul Rudd named Close Encounters of the Third Kind as a profoundly impactful film from his childhood, shaping much of his early life, while also acknowledging Jaws as a "perfect movie." He recounted the famous bet between Spielberg and George Lucas regarding the commercial success of Close Encounters and Star Wars. Jack Black’s personal favorite was Raiders of the Lost Ark, holding a special emotional attachment to it because his father had called it the best movie he had ever seen, prompting them to watch it together. Black also briefly mentioned Spielberg's TV movie, Duel, and lauded Jaws as an incredible directorial debut.

Finally, the conversation turned to Stanley Kubrick. Paul Rudd struggled to pick just one, mentioning both Dr. Strangelove and The Shining as incredible experiences and all-time favorites. Jack Black unequivocally declared The Shining as his top choice, calling it a "towering masterpiece" and one of his top three movies ever, largely due to Jack Nicholson's iconic performance. Other Kubrick films mentioned included A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Lolita. Both actors expressed a shared regret that Kubrick and Peter Sellers, whom Black likened to "Lennon-McCartney," only collaborated on two films (Dr. Strangelove and Lolita), where Sellers famously played multiple roles. They mused about the potential for a third collaboration, attributing the lack thereof to Kubrick’s meticulous, time-consuming creative process and possibly a "money issue" with Sellers. Regardless, they acknowledged that Kubrick's deliberate approach is precisely why all his films are considered special.