Ice Cube Makes a Surprise Return to Anaconda After 28 Years

The upcoming Anaconda reimagining leans into a self-aware, comedy-horror vibe, with Jack Black and Paul Rudd playing lifelong friends who decide to remake the movie that obsessed them growing up. Their “midlife crisis project” turns into a nightmare once a real, massive snake enters the picture deep in the Amazon.

That premise isn’t the only nostalgia play: Ice Cube is also back, popping up in the new film decades after starring in the 1997 original. He recently appeared at the Los Angeles premiere and confirmed he has a cameo in the reboot.

Cube, now 56, said he didn’t need much convincing once he heard what kind of movie the team was making. He described it as a fun way to “come full circle,” and said he accepted the offer immediately.

The new movie is directed by Tom Gormican, who previously made the meta-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Alongside Black and Rudd, the cast includes Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello, and Steve Zahn. (Index.hr)

Back in 1997, Anaconda played things straight as a survival thriller about a film crew fighting for their lives, with Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube among the leads. That original lineup also featured Owen Wilson, Eric Stoltz, Danny Trejo, and Jon Voight.

The 2025 reboot is slated for a U.S. theatrical release on December 25, 2025, positioning it as a holiday counterprogramming thrill ride. Whether Cube’s cameo is a quick gag or a bigger wink to longtime fans, it’s clearly meant as a nostalgic payoff.

What do you think about Anaconda switching to a more comedic, meta approach—and are you excited to see Ice Cube pop up again? Share your thoughts in the comments.