Jack Black is one of Paul Rudd's "heroes"

In a joint interview with the actors, Paul told People: "Every once in a while, something will happen where I'm afforded the opportunity to get to work with a hero of mine."

Turning to Jack, he added: "It happened on this one in the form of this old hunk of love."

Paul also praised Steve Zahn (Kenny Trent) and Thandiwe Newton (Claire Simons), his co-stars in the action-comedy movie, saying: "It's the people, really, right?"

Jack agreed: "It is the peeps. It's funny, because in this movie we are playing filmmakers, and so in a way we are playing ourselves. It was very close to home.

"These friends that are going out to make their dreams come true. And that's how I feel every time I go out to make a movie."

Anaconda sees best pals Ronald 'Griff' Griffen Jr. (Paul) and Doug McCallister (Jack) journey to the Amazon rainforest, South America, to reboot the 1997 titular movie - which originally starred Ice Cube (Danny Rich), Jennifer Lopez (Terri Flores) and Jon Voight (Paul Sarone).

However, their project is at risk when a huge, bloodthirsty anaconda starts hunting them down.

Paul and Jack briefly appeared opposite each other in the likes of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and as Beatles legends, the late John Lennon, and Paul McCartney, 83, respectively, in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

But Anaconda - which comes out on Thursday (25.12.25) - is the first time the duo have had lead roles, and Paul relished seeing Jack perform.

Paul said: "It really was the first time that I really got to see him in action ... People are in awe, rightfully so, of him.

"And the greatest thing about all of that was, no matter who it was at whatever age - especially kids - Jack is such a good dude, that to see him interact with every single person was astounding."

Speaking to Jack, Paul added: "You gave everybody a bit of a Jack Black experience. It didn't matter what the time was or where you were. You're a very good person. Honest to God, it was inspiring to see."