Jack Black falls for Australian prank on Gold Coast during Anaconda reboot

Jack Black says he was pranked by Australians about drop bears while filming a reboot of the 1997 horror movie Anaconda on the Gold Coast hinterland. The actor, 56, told News Corp this week that his driver warned him to beware of drop bears, a mythical creature said to resemble a predatory koala that supposedly drops from trees to attack unsuspecting people. Black recalled reacting with curiosity and caution, asking how real the threat was as he traveled through the Tamborine Mountain area during production.

During a chat at his Tamborine Mountain accommodation, a hotel staffer told him there is no such thing as drop bears, effectively debunking the warning. Black described confronting the driver the following day and venting his frustrations before joking that he might retaliate by pulling the prank on an unsuspecting Australian tourist. The exchange underscored how the harmless urban legend continues to entertain and mislead even seasoned travelers on set.

The film in question is a reboot of the 1997 horror hit Anaconda, which originally starred Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Ice Cube and Jon Voight. This new chapter centers on a group of friends facing mid-life crises who decide to remake a favorite movie from their youth, a premise that blends nostalgia with a contemporary twist. The cast includes Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn, with production moving through Australia in the Gold Coast hinterland and near Tamborine Mountain. Producers have indicated the Australian shoot is a key phase in bringing the reimagined thriller to life, with Boxing Day serving as the planned Australian release date for the film.

Black has publicly connected with Australian audiences before. He was photographed on the Gold Coast during a rare daytime break last year, engaging in a lighthearted, impromptu moment with paparazzi and signaling his enduring affinity for the region. In a broader context for the project, Thandiwe Newton has also appeared at related industry events in Los Angeles, as part of the push to promote the film ahead of its release. The new Anaconda brings together a mix of seasoned performers and a story that nods to the original while aiming to explore mid-life perspectives through a genre lens.

The legend of the drop bear remains a familiar piece of Australian folklore—a carnivorous version of a koala said to inhabit tree canopies and attack unsuspecting visitors. While the prank on Black was obviously in good fun, it underscores a cultural touchstone that has long been used to welcome outsiders and to tease travelers who are unfamiliar with local lore. Industry observers note that the mix of practical setting on the Gold Coast and a contemporary remake of a classic monster movie could help the film connect with both international fans and Australian audiences on Boxing Day and beyond.