
Game of Thrones author sets fans straight on next book
Martin announced he is producing an adaptation of Howard Waldrop's novella, A Dozen Tough Jobs, which triggered complaints about his work on projects unrelated to The Winds of Winter.
Martin responded to criticisms that he doesn't care about finishing the series, detailing the typical negative comments he receives, including that his writing has deteriorated and he will die soon due to his age.
He said he had worked on numerous other projects, but 'you don't care about anything but Winds of Winter. You've told me so often enough'.
Martin has been working on The Winds of Winter since 2010, and despite expressing frustration and delays due to other projects, he stated in 2022 that the book was about "three-quarters of the way done".
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Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Inside Happy Gilmore 2: Producer and PGA Tour star Collin Morikawa reveal behind-the-scenes secrets and Travis Kelce's cameo
It's been almost three decades since Adam Sandler first graced the silver screen as downtrodden hockey player turned beloved golfer Happy Gilmore. But now he's back, and he has a whole host of famous faces with him. Sandler returned to his happy place Friday when Happy Gilmore 2, the long-awaited sequel to his 1996 cult comedy classic, finally teed off on Netflix. Modern Family star Julie Bowen reprises her role as Gilmore's love interest, Virginia, while Flubber actor Christopher McDonald and Hollywood star Ben Stiller also return. But this time around, Sandler hits the golf course with a glittering array of stars also along for the ride. Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce, musician Bad Bunny, rapper Eminem and a decorated roster of professional golfers, including World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Rory McIlroy, all make cameos next to Hollywood royalty. And sitting down with the Daily Mail to discuss the film at the luxury Montclair Golf Club in New Jersey - a key filming location in the film - producer Jack Giarraputo reveals it wasn't tough to lure the famous faces to set. Not even Taylor Swift 's boyfriend. 'Different cameos came in different ways,' Giarraputo reveals. 'With Travis, he was wearing the hat around and saying, "I heard there's a sequel, I want to be in it!" So that was helpful,' he continues. 'Adam saw Bad Bunny on SNL and thought, "He's funny, we should put him in the movie." 'We wanted to create an authentic golf environment, so we went after all the top players and because they grew up with the movie, they were like, "let's do it". So, it was a mutual feeling with the golfers.' Giarraputo admits he was pleasantly surprised by the acting skills of Kelce and Bad Bunny. 'It was all mutual love and respect. It's really funny to see that people are good at other things,' he adds. The PGA Tour's current biggest stars grew up with the original, which made for a cultural revolution in golf. The stereotypically uptight and stuffy sport was inundated with iconic quotes and memorable - if not, goofy - moments. It is, therefore, no surprise that an appearance in the sequel held a certain allure for the latest generation of golfers, including two-time major winner Collin Morikawa. Morikawa, who in addition to his cameo also stars in US Bank's TV spot collaboration with Happy Gilmore 2, is used to high-pressure situations with an Open Championship and PGA Championship to his name and multiple Ryder Cups for Team USA under his belt. But that calm and collected demeanor doesn't necessarily translate when those sloping fairways transform into a film set. 'I was nervous but it was exciting,' the Ryder Cup star tells the Daily Mail. 'More emotions than us playing on the golf course. We're so used to doing what we do. It's so routine when I'm on the golf course that I know what's going to happen. 'But in the production world, you don't necessarily know what's going to happen. Things pop up very spontaneously, ideas come and things change very quickly. I love how they just adapt. That's what I respect about these guys so much.' While he may vie week in and week out to best his rivals on the PGA Tour, the 28-year-old confesses he won't be taking home the Best Actor award among his peers. 'I am not the best,' he admits, laughing. 'I didn't get to spend time with Scottie [Scheffler], Bryson [DeChambeau], Rory [McIlroy], Brooks [Koepka] and that group. But I did spend a lot of time with Jordan [Spieth], Rickie [Fowler], Xander [Schauffele] and the Hall of Famers.' When pressed on who did shine the most on screen, Morikawa discloses that Spieth or Schauffele impressed him the most. 'This is not comfortable for us at all to sit down and have lines and be ready on the spot,' he continues. 'I know we have multiple takes but we don't want to get it wrong because we know we're just here hopefully adding to the film. 'I'll give it to the old guys - Freddie [Couples], Jack [Nicklaus] - that's definitely not their scene and I think they did a great job.' Morikawa further broke the stern golfing mold with his hilarious delivery in the film's accompanying ad in collaboration with US Bank, the official sponsor of the fictional tour in the movie. What do golf, Netflix and U.S. Bank have in common? Happy Gilmore 2! Premiering on Netflix July 25. #happygilmore2 — U.S. Bank (@usbank) July 16, 2025 Paige Spiranac pictured in a see-through dress at the premiere of Happy Gilmore 2 on Monday World No 1 Scottie Scheffler (left) and golf cult icon John Daly (right) are also tipped for cameos The commercial, which was shot by Frank Coraci, one of Sandler's go-to directors, sees Morikawa ride a club like a bull - a signature Gilmore celebration - something which surely does not come natural to a professional golfer. 'It's creating an environment on the set that's relaxed,' Coraci reveals when asked how he manages to get sports stars to let loose in front of the camera. 'It's being present for them and generally just watching what they're doing and laughing. 'The nice thing is that we [Happy Madison] have a track record of making pretty funny movies so I think it was easy from the trust aspect. Yes, he's going out on a limb but it's going to be worthwhile.' As well as a host of new faces, Happy Gilmore 2 has had to navigate a slew of new storylines that have overtaken the sport in recent years - most noticeably the revolutionary play of big hitters like DeChambeau and the emergence of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour's Saudi-backed rival circuit. 'It definitely was a big thing in the original movie that Happy Gilmore could hit the ball 400 yards,' Giarraputo explains. 'Now, it's not normal, but you do see it. So that was definitely a big change we had to figure out. 'And also with the new competing league idea, that was something we had to take into consideration. But all in all, we just wanted to find a good story that people who love the first movie could really enjoy this one.' And it's a movie Morikawa believes not only golf fans will enjoy. 'It's going to be huge,' the golfer gushes. 'I think this is going to bridge a lot of gaps between generations and even those that aren't into golf. Happy Gilmore bridges that gap into golf for people who don't know the sport. It's going to uplift our sport even more.'


Times
7 minutes ago
- Times
Striking doctors out on manoeuvres — until lunchtime
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Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Truth behind Travis Kelce's lock screen photo of Taylor Swift revealed after couple sparked engagement rumors
Taylor Swift is not showing off an engagement ring in the photo spotted on Travis Kelce 's lock screen, it has been confirmed. According to TMZ, the pop megastar is actually wearing Kelce's three Super Bowl rings in the loved-up snap he saved as his phone background, which eagle-eyed fans noticed in his Instagram dump on Thursday. Almost two years into their relationship the Kansas City Chiefs legend has finally gone Instagram official with Swift after sharing a series of pictures of their 'offseason adventures' together. In one of the images, Kelce's phone can be seen on the table while the couple are seemingly out for dinner together. Swifties quickly noticed that his lock screen was a black-and-white photo of him and Taylor, where she is holding both of her hands up to the camera while seemingly flaunting a ring. Engagement rumors therefore became rife once again, but it is believed Travis has not yet popped the question to his girlfriend. Instead, Taylor reportedly has his three championship rings on her fingers in the lock-screen picture. More to follow.