Jack Black is one of Paul Rudd's "heroes".
Paul, 56, jumped at the chance to star in the upcoming film Anaconda because it meant he could work with the 56-year-old actor again.
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."
