Latest news with #UncutGems
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Adam Sandler's 'best ever' films including one that should have won him Oscar
The actor has had a lucrative deal with the streamer for years Adam Sandler's latest film has arrived on Netflix as he revisits one of his most popular characters. Happy Gilmore 2 is now available on the streaming giant's platform. It is the latest title in the long-term deal between the streamer and actor. Sandler has a lucrative agreement with Netflix, initially signed in 2014 and renewed multiple times, which has seen a number of movies added to the service. The deal was reportedly $250 million for four films. This includes movies starring the comedian to ones produced under his Happy Madison company. Here are ten of the best Adam Sandler titles that are currently streaming on Netflix. Uncut Gems Uncut Gems is the film that kickstarted a partnership between Sandler and the Safdie brothers who co-wrote and directed the title. Sandler stars as a charismatic jeweller who makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win. This is very different from Sandler's typical comedies and comes with a warning that it is at times, uncomfortable to watch. Many fans believe this is the one that the comic actor should have received an Oscar for. One fan said: "Adam Sandler 'was robbed' as Kathy Bates advised him. That he didn't win an Oscar for his starring role in Uncut Gems was an outrage. The directing was equally deserving of an Oscar nod. Likewise, the screenplay, and the overwhelming score, which conveyed a pounding chaos which coincided with the "in your face" story. All of these components of the film combined to produce a heartpoundingly suspenseful, and tension-filled experience." Uncut Gems is streaming on Netflix. Hustle Adam Sandler's highest rated film according to Rotten Tomatoes with 94% is 2022's Hustle. It's another one of his titles with a strong sports link and has him giving an earnest performance as oppose to digging for gags. A significantly less intense watch than Uncut Gems, Sandler plays a down-on-his-luck basketball scout who finds himself ready to return home for good. He yearns to achieve his dreams of becoming a coach. However, after he discovers an extraordinary and completely unknown player abroad, he brings the phenom back without his team's approval. One fan claimed: "I thought that it'd just be another sports movie, but it was more than I expected. It was a heartfelt story, with undertones of "Rocky" nostalgia, and an exceptional cast. Easily, one of Sandler's best" Hustle is streaming on Netflix. The Meyerowitz Stories Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, this is another that isn't your typical Sandler movie. An ensemble piece in which his performance is complimented by the presence of Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Adam Driver. The film follows estranged siblings who come together to celebrate their father, Harold Meyerowitz, and his work as an artist during an unorthodox family reunion in New York. One fan said: "Hilarious, heartfelt, quirky, witty family comedy-drama. Oh and it also stars a few acting giants too, Hoffman, Bergen, Stiller, Weaver, Thomspon and Sandler like you've never seen the dude before. Can't recommend this stellar little film highly enough." You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah This 2023 release earned 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and sees Sandler take on a smaller role. Instead, it's his daughter who takes the spotlight. The film follows Stacy and Lydia are BFFs who've always dreamed about having epic bat mitzvahs. However, things start to go comically awry when a popular boy and middle school drama threatens their friendship and their rite of passage. One fan surmised: "A little cheesy, a bit predictable in some parts, but still an overall feel good film. You'll feel some emotions, get a few laughs. Adam Sandler steps back to let his (real life!) daughter Sunny steal the show" You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah is streaming on Netflix. Leo A more family friendly entry sees Sandler play animated character Leo the Lizard. Leo has been stuck in the same Florida school for decades. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to freedom, but instead has to rescue his class from their horribly mean substitute teacher. One fan said: "Such an underrated movie! Most cartoon movies are for kids but you could watch this one even if your an adult and still enjoy it." Leo is streaming on Netflix. Big Daddy One of Sandler's classics currently available on Netflix sees him play irresponsible Koufax who is dumped by his girlfriend for an older man. He adopts a five-year-old boy to impress her. But after spending time with him, he decides to become the father the boy needs. One fan said: "Like a lot of the golden age Adam Sandler films, it is quite a memorable and eminently quotable film. It also has great lessons about growing up and not judging books by their cover, and not being a bully." Big Daddy is streaming on Netflix. Happy Gilmore While Sandler is reprising his role of Happy Gilmore for a new sequel just released on Netflix, the original is also available. Time will tell whether or not fans believe if the follow up lives up to the 1996 original. Those that aren't familiar with the first outing should definitely check it out. Sandler plays titular character Happy, an aspiring hockey player who joins the PGA tour to make some money to save his grandma's house. But he doesn't really have the temper to go up against the favourite of the game and win the championship. One fan posted: "One of the most beloved Adam Sandler movies of all time. It received a reputation as a cult classic. The movie strikes at an effective blend of funny silly comedy, and relatable drama." Happy Gilmore is streaming on Netflix. Spaceman If you're looking forward to Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary then Spaceman is a good primer. It holds a similar premise albeit some significant differences. Six months into a solo mission, a lonely astronaut confronts the cracks in his marriage with help from a mysterious creature he discovers on his ship. A fan claimed: "This movie is a true masterpiece, designed for those who appreciate deep, reflective, and psychologically advanced narratives. It's not merely entertainment, but a profound exploration that offers wisdom and insight." Spaceman is streaming on Netflix. Adam Sandler: Love You Strictly not a movie but Sandler's latest comedy special. However, directed by one of the Safdie's it is bookended by what feels like a short film. There are even some on stage antics that will make you wonder which parts are scripted. Receiving 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earning an Emmy nomination, it deserves a place among Sandler's best and a must watch for fans of the comedian's career. On fan claimed: "I honestly think this was a piece of art, there is no other comedy special like it, making you feel like you're watching a scene of a movie, great songs, the ending is something that we'll look back and appreciate so much more in the future."
Cosmopolitan
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Happy Gilmore 2 cast: All the returning characters and surprise cameos
He's back! After nearly 30 years since the original movie was released, Adam Sandler is reprising his iconic role as Happy Gilmore in Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2. The new movie sees Happy pick up his golf clubs once again in order to fund his daughter's tuition for ballet school. Not only are we buzzing to see Adam back as Happy, but many of the OG cast are returning too, as well as a bunch of new characters (including Bad Bunny's as Happy's new caddy) and a whole host of blink and you'll miss them cameos. But really you should pause and pay attention because these cameos are strictly A-List. Missed a few while enjoying the new movie? Well here's the full cast list of old and new characters and all the cameos you may have missed. Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore The main player returns, Adam Sandler is set to reprise his role as the iconic golfer Happy Gilmore. Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit Also returning is Julie Bowen who played Happy's wife Virginia in the first movie. Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin And it wouldn't be Happy Gilmore without Christopher McDonald playing Happy's nemesis Shooter McGavin. Dennis Dugan as Doug Thompson Dennis Dugan returns as Doug Thompson the commissioner of the golf tour. Ben Stiller as Hal L Ok so technically Ben Stiller did appear in the first Happy Gilmore movie, but he went uncredited. He's now reprising his as role Hal L, who was one of the orderlys at the retirement home. Now he's left that job and is running a support group. Kevin Nealon as Gary Potter During the first movie we also met the character of Gary Potter, who was another professional golfer, and he was played by Kevin Nealon, who is reprising his role. Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee Frank Manatee is a sports drink company owner and he's played by Benny Safdie, who previously worked with Adam on Uncut Gems. Bad Bunny as Oscar Oscar is Happy's new caddy, and from the looks of the trailer has no idea what he's actually doing. He's played by singer Bad Bunny. Sunny Sandler as Vienna Gilmore Vienna is Happy and Virginia's only daughter, and she's the reason her dad has to get back into golf in order to pay for her ballet school tuition. She's played by Adam Sandler's real life daughter Sunny. Kym Whitley as Bessie Bessie is a member of Hal's support group and she's played by Kym Whitley. Lavell Crawford as Slim Petersen Slim is the son of Happy's late mentor Chubbs and is played by comedian and actor Lavell Crawford. Blake Clark as Farmer Fran In 1998 Adam Sandler starred in and created the sports comedy movie The Waterboy, which featured a character called Farmer Fran, an assistant coach. He's played by Blake Clark, and he's now reprising the role of Farmer Fran but in Happy Gilmore. Ethan Cutkosky, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Philip Fine Schneider and Conor Sherry as Happy's sons - Wayne, Gordie, Bobby, and Terry Gilmore The sequel movie sees Happy and Virgina have four boys who are known as Wayne, Gordie, Bobby and Terry. As it's a film all about golf, it would be remiss if it didn't feature one or two professional golfers, but rather than just a few, Happy Gilmore 2 had a whole host of golfers take their cameo moment in the film. The movie also features a huge number of recognisable names including actors that frequently appear in other Adam Sandler movies, and some surprising faces too, including Travis Kelce and Eminem, who are playing characters rather than themselves. And then there are a few select celebrities playing themselves in cameo roles too, did you spot all of them? Happy Gilmore 2 is available on Netflix now
Time Magazine
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Benny Safdie on Taking Up the Mantle of Villainy in Happy Gilmore 2—And Christopher Nolan Telling Him to Get in Shape for The Odyssey
Warning: This post contains minor spoilers for Happy Gilmore 2. Nearly 30 years ago, Christopher McDonald left an indelible mark on pop culture with his performance as smarmy professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 sports comedy classic Happy Gilmore. Opposite Adam Sandler's quick-to-anger hockey failure-turned-unlikely golf sensation Happy, McDonald played Shooter as an arrogant yet moronic, finger-gun-blasting, third-person-talking prick of a man. Now, Benny Safdie is taking up the reins of Happy Gilmore-verse villainy as Frank Manatee, the halitosis-plagued creator of Maxi Golf, a new stunt-based golf association intended to rival the long-established Tour Championship league in Happy Gilmore 2. And, according to Safdie, if he can inspire "even an eighth of the level of hatred Shooter did," he'll consider his character a success. After co-directing Sandler alongside his brother, Josh Safdie, in the acclaimed 2019 crime thriller Uncut Gems—a film that earned its prolific lead the most serious awards consideration of his career—Safdie says he "instantly" accepted when Sandler called to offer him the role of Manatee in the long-awaited Happy Gilmore sequel, which hits Netflix July 25. TIME spoke with Safdie about Happy Gilmore 2, buzzy forthcoming projects like The Smashing Machine, and his work with some of the biggest directors of our time. Safdie: Oh my god. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. I can close my eyes and see it from beginning to end. There's so many Shooter McGavin quotes. There's so many Sandler quotes. It just was on repeat for me. With Shooter, there's such a level of like, wow, this guy is truly evil but he's so fully realized. And then Happy is almost like a parable of a guy. He's definitely got his issues, but at the same time, he's really nice and loves his grandmother. Sandler is just special. It's almost crazy to me that I'm even in this thing because that movie was such a big part of my childhood. When Sandler called me to play this, he said there was something about one of my stand-up characters that he thought would be great for this role. So I instantly was like, all right, I know exactly how this guy looks. I wanted him to be one of those people you swipe past on Instagram and are like, "Oh, I know that guy." He speaks in broad platitudes about how to succeed. He's an energy drink disruptor. I really wanted to make him as real as possible because that's one of the things I think is really successful about Shooter. And I was able to bond with Chris [McDonald] about how these guys don't think they're bad, they just think they're doing what's necessary. So I really wanted to bring a level of authenticity. I wanted him to make sense. There's a closeness. I look at him and I'm just like, "Ah, there's the Sandman." There's a real affection and connection there. And it's interesting because we'd always wanted to act together in something, but it never worked out. It's one thing to work with him as a director, but then to be in a scene with him and actually look into his eyes and act is amazing. He's such a perfectionist. He really cares about everything he's doing and wants it to be the best that it can be. There was one line we were really trying to hammer home: "Will you stop with the shoe? We're done with the shoe!" That was one he really wanted to hit hard. And it was amazing because it just kept going and going. We did it so many times. He had a very specific cadence. So he and I are both after the same thing, which is doing whatever it takes to make it as funny and great as possible. I think he's giving as much thought to both of them. It was amazing to see him as Happy because I was like, "Oh my god. That's not Adam Sandler. It's Happy Gilmore." That was the coolest thing because Happy is a character of his. It's like [Charlie] Chaplin and the Little Tramp. And he's playing these roles with as much thought and care as he's doing the other ones. I don't think he makes that distinction. He's also just a really sensitive person and he allows that to seep into things. Even in Gems, it was amazing because he always wanted [his character] Howard to have this softer side. He really pushed for that and, when you look back at the movie, it's so important that was there. He wants people to be able to relate to him. I treat the comedy roles no differently than the others because I'm doing just as much hard work trying to make it feel believable. But I do love comedy and I always want to make somebody laugh. There's a feeling on set where you want to ruin the take. You want people to be laughing at the monitors. You want to hear them go crazy and know that you went there. I did stand-up comedy and so I really enjoy that kind of no-net performance. I don't get to do it that often. It was incredible, because with this project we both saw something in Mark's story that we really connected to. It was almost non-verbal. I could just see how passionate he was and I felt the same way. So it was really us trying to understand ourselves through this character. I felt like I could ask him to do anything and he would pull it out like it was nothing. It was really special to be a part of. He had a lot of respect for Mark and [his wife] Dawn and it was really about being truthful to their experience. There's a UFC tagline that my wife got me on a shirt: "As real as it gets." We just took that to the extreme. I don't, really, because I'm lucky enough that if there's something I really want to do, I'll figure out a way to make it happen. I was editing Smashing Machine while I was acting in Happy Gilmore. So I literally had my laptop out in my trailer when I wasn't working on scenes. And I look back on it and am definitely like, "How did I do that?" I don't even know. You just kind of compartmentalize things. It was the same thing with The Odyssey. I was in the middle of editing when Chris [Nolan] called me and was like, "How's your body?" And I was like, "What do you mean? Like, how's it holding up in the edit?" And he says, "No, I want you to be in this and you have to be in better shape." And I was like, OK, I have to do that now. So then I was exercising and thinking about what I was eating and going to these crazy locations, and then coming back and working on finishing Smashing Machine—all while dressed as Frank with that hair and goatee. One hundred percent. There's certain things they'll do that will ignite something within me and I'm like, "Oh, that's how they do it." So I'll try and reverse engineer those things and use them to my advantage. I think it's about being willing to go in and put yourself out there. There's a vulnerability. Like, I was going to speak with a Hungarian accent [in Oppenheimer] and Chris' implicit trust in me gave me the confidence to do that. Or Paul will gently try to get you in this competitive headspace so you want to be the best that you can be. And Claire is just always searching for something exciting. She'll stand up in the middle of a scene because she wants to be excited by it and was bored when everyone was sitting down. It's interesting to see the connection between all of them, because when somebody's doing it right there's kind of a throughline to it. Definitely. I want to be able to experience a movie that I made with my kids and talk to them as an audience. I think there's something really special about that. It's funny because we had an idea for a second season early on but then the first season really does work as its own self-contained thing. So there is a really funny idea for it and I think it would be good, but I don't know. Nathan and I also didn't even want to make a show together. We just accidentally came up with this idea and then it was one of those things where you have a friendship with somebody and it becomes a fun thing to talk about. I love his style of acting and I really liked pushing him to places he may not have gone before. I remember telling him, "When you get really angry, it's not funny. But there is something funny about it." He's also somebody who's obsessed with realism in a very different way than I am. He's obsessed with making you look at a real thing and then be like, "That's not real, right?" And I'm obsessed with looking at something and being like, "All right, this is fake, but I need to convince people it's real with every ounce of my being." So those two things do overlap in a nice way.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Happy Gilmore' became a cult comedy. 29 years later, Adam Sandler is swinging again
NEW YORK (AP) — 'Happy Gilmore' was born on the range. When Adam Sandler was a kid growing up in New Hampshire, his father was an avid golfer. He'd often take his son along to hit balls at the driving range. But Sandler was uninterested in the sport, and usually got antsy. 'Why don't you bring a friend?' his dad told him. So Sandler took his buddy, Kyle McDonough, a star hockey player who'd later turn professional. 'He never played before but he was cracking the ball so far,' Sandler recalls. 'So when I started becoming a comedian and me and (Tim) Herlihy were writing stuff and stand-up and talking about movies, I started thinking about a guy who could hit it really big and had a hockey player mentality.' 'Happy Gilmore,' released in 1996, was Sander and Herlihy's second movie, following 'Billy Madison.' Sandler was just exiting 'Saturday Night Live.' Herlihy was Sandler's roommate at New York University and became a lawyer before Sandler got him to stick to writing comedy. (You might remember the 'Herlihy Boy' sketch.) 'We had just done our first movie, 'Billy Madison,' and we put every idea we ever had for a movie in that movie,' says Herlihy. 'So when they said we could do another movie, it was like, 'What are we going to do this movie about?'' 'Happy Gilmore,' released in February 1996, became one of the most beloved comedies of the '90s and codified the hockey-style swing as a mainstay on golf courses. 'A hop, skip and a hit,' as Sandler says. The movie also made comic heroes of Bob Barker, Christopher McDonald and Carl Weathers, and made lines like 'Are you too good for your home?' plausible things to ask golf balls. Like most cult comedies, 'Happy Gilmore' didn't start out an obvious instant classic, though. 'A one-joke 'Caddyshack' for the blitzed and jaded,' wrote EW. 'To describe Happy's antics as boorish is putting it mildly,' wrote The New York Times. ''Happy Gilmore' tells the story of a violent sociopath,' wrote Roger Ebert. He called it 'the latest in the dumber and dumbest sweepstakes.' 'Happy Gilmore' was a box-office success, grossing $39 million in the U.S. and Canada. And through worn-out DVDs and regular TV reruns, it became a favorite to generations of golfers and a staple of goofy '90s comedy. 'I can't even tell you how many times I've seen that movie,' says the actor-filmmaker Benny Safdie, who co-directed Sandler in 'Uncut Gems.' 'It was on an endless loop. I had the DVD and I just kept watching it. I can close my eyes and see the movie end to end. It's one of my favorite movies.' Now, nearly three decades later, and after years of batting away pleas for a sequel, Sandler has finally put Happy's Bruins jersey back on. 'Happy Gilmore 2,' which Netflix will debut Friday, is arguably the most anticipated streaming release of the summer. Avoiding a comedy sequel curse Sandler was well aware of the checkered history of comedy sequels. Movies like 'Zoolander 2' and 'Anchorman 2' have struggled to recapture the freewheeling spirit of the originals. The movie Sandler counts as his favorite, 'Caddyshack' — so much so that he was initially hesitant to make a golf comedy — spawned 1988's woebegone 'Caddyshack II.' 'If someone brought it up to us, we were like, 'Yeah, no, we're not going to do that,'' Sandler said in a recent interview alongside Herlihy. 'There was no moment we went 'Aha.' It just kind of happened. The last couple years, we were talking about Happy and how it might be funny if he was down and out.' In 'Happy Gilmore 2,' co-written by Sandler and Herlihy, Happy is a decorated retired golfer with four sons and a daughter (played by Sandler's daughter, Sunny Sandler). But after a tragic incident and falling on hard times, he's lured back into golf. This time, though, Happy is an insider, motivated to protect the sport. Safdie co-stars as the founder of Maxi Golf, a new circus-like tour with long hitters. 'We thought it could be fun to write something like that' says Sandler. 'It kind of connected to our lives and this age, and wanting to make a full-on comedy. There's nothing better than dropping a comedy and trying to make people laugh, to us. It feels like why we originally got into this business.' Big, broad comedies have grown almost extinct in the decades since 'Happy Gilmore.' Returning to that style of comedy was, for Sandler and Herlihy, the best reason to make the sequel. For the 58-year-old friends and regular collaborators, it was a chance to riff like they used to. 'We were outlining the story together and then we were like, 'We should watch the first one again, man,'' Sandler says. 'We're going off of our memory of so many things, hanging out with Carl Weathers and Bob Barker and all that stuff. Then we watched it and we were like, 'Oh, yeah.' It was a tone.' 'It made a little more sense than 'Billy Madison,'' says Herlihy, 'but we weren't afraid to swing, swing, swing.' A supporting cast of PGA winners Cameos, of course, were a major part of 'Happy Gilmore.' (The Bob Barker scene was originally written for Ed McMahon.) In the years since, many of the faces of the original have died, including Barker, Weathers, Frances Bay, the hulking Richard Kiel and Joe Flaherty, who played the heckler. Even the golf ball-stealing alligator, Morris, has passed on. 'Happy Gilmore 2,' unusually elegiac for a proudly silly comedy, nods to all of them. For the sequel, many others, like Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny and Margaret Qualley, were lining up to be a part of it. So were pro golfers. Just about all the big names in golf, including several legends, appear. The day after winning Sunday's British Open, Scottie Scheffler flew to New York for the premiere. Over the years, Herlihy and Sandler have seen a lot of them try 'the Happy Gilmore.' 'I feel like when these golfers try to do it, these pros, they're 5% thinking, 'Maybe this will work,'' says Herlihy, laughing. 'I played with Bryson (DeChambeau) like a week ago and when he did it, it was ridiculous,' adds Sandler. 'He literally blasted it 360 and just kept walking. I was like, 'Did he just smash the Happy Gilmore and not even think about it?'' It's possible that 'the Happy Gilmore' will even outlive the movies. There's a good chance that, even as you read this, somewhere some kid is trying it, hoping to get a laugh and maybe get it on the fairway, too. 'When we were putting it together, I called my dad and asked him if it was legal. He was like, 'I don't see why not,'' Sandler remembers. 'Then there are some people who look at it and go: 'It does help you swing hard. It gives you more momentum. You turn your hips faster. Maybe it's a good thing.'' Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘Happy Gilmore' became a cult comedy. 29 years later, Adam Sandler is swinging again
NEW YORK — 'Happy Gilmore' was born on the range. When Adam Sandler was a kid growing up in New Hampshire, his father was an avid golfer. He'd often take his son along to hit balls at the driving range. But Sandler was uninterested in the sport, and usually got antsy. 'Why don't you bring a friend?' his dad told him. So Sandler took his buddy, Kyle McDonough, a star hockey player who'd later turn professional. 'He never played before but he was cracking the ball so far,' Sandler recalls. 'So when I started becoming a comedian and me and (Tim) Herlihy were writing stuff and stand-up and talking about movies, I started thinking about a guy who could hit it really big and had a hockey player mentality.' 'Happy Gilmore,' released in 1996, was Sander and Herlihy's second movie, following 'Billy Madison.' Sandler was just exiting 'Saturday Night Live.' Herlihy was Sandler's roommate at New York University and became a lawyer before Sandler got him to stick to writing comedy. (You might remember the 'Herlihy Boy' sketch.) 'We had just done our first movie, 'Billy Madison,' and we put every idea we ever had for a movie in that movie,' says Herlihy. 'So when they said we could do another movie, it was like, 'What are we going to do this movie about?'' 'Happy Gilmore,' released in February 1996, became one of the most beloved comedies of the '90s and codified the hockey-style swing as a mainstay on golf courses. 'A hop, skip and a hit,' as Sandler says. The movie also made comic heroes of Bob Barker, Christopher McDonald and Carl Weathers, and made lines like 'Are you too good for your home?' plausible things to ask golf balls. Like most cult comedies, 'Happy Gilmore' didn't start out an obvious instant classic, though. 'A one-joke 'Caddyshack' for the blitzed and jaded,' wrote EW. 'To describe Happy's antics as boorish is putting it mildly,' wrote The New York Times. ''Happy Gilmore' tells the story of a violent sociopath,' wrote Roger Ebert. He called it 'the latest in the dumber and dumbest sweepstakes.' 'Happy Gilmore' was a box-office success, grossing $39 million in the U.S. and Canada. And through worn-out DVDs and regular TV reruns, it became a favorite to generations of golfers and a staple of goofy '90s comedy. 'I can't even tell you how many times I've seen that movie,' says the actor-filmmaker Benny Safdie, who co-directed Sandler in 'Uncut Gems.' 'It was on an endless loop. I had the DVD and I just kept watching it. I can close my eyes and see the movie end to end. It's one of my favorite movies.' Now, nearly three decades later, and after years of batting away pleas for a sequel, Sandler has finally put Happy's Bruins jersey back on. 'Happy Gilmore 2,' which Netflix will debut Friday, is arguably the most anticipated streaming release of the summer. Sandler was well aware of the checkered history of comedy sequels. Movies like 'Zoolander 2' and 'Anchorman 2' have struggled to recapture the freewheeling spirit of the originals. The movie Sandler counts as his favorite, 'Caddyshack' — so much so that he was initially hesitant to make a golf comedy — spawned 1988's woebegone 'Caddyshack II.' 'If someone brought it up to us, we were like, 'Yeah, no, we're not going to do that,'' Sandler said in a recent interview alongside Herlihy. 'There was no moment we went 'Aha.' It just kind of happened. The last couple years, we were talking about Happy and how it might be funny if he was down and out.' In 'Happy Gilmore 2,' co-written by Sandler and Herlihy, Happy is a decorated retired golfer with four sons and a daughter (played by Sandler's daughter, Sunny Sandler). But after a tragic incident and falling on hard times, he's lured back into golf. This time, though, Happy is an insider, motivated to protect the sport. Safdie co-stars as the founder of Maxi Golf, a new circus-like tour with long hitters. 'We thought it could be fun to write something like that' says Sandler. 'It kind of connected to our lives and this age, and wanting to make a full-on comedy. There's nothing better than dropping a comedy and trying to make people laugh, to us. It feels like why we originally got into this business.' Big, broad comedies have grown almost extinct in the decades since 'Happy Gilmore.' Returning to that style of comedy was, for Sandler and Herlihy, the best reason to make the sequel. For the 58-year-old friends and regular collaborators, it was a chance to riff like they used to. 'We were outlining the story together and then we were like, 'We should watch the first one again, man,'' Sandler says. 'We're going off of our memory of so many things, hanging out with Carl Weathers and Bob Barker and all that stuff. Then we watched it and we were like, 'Oh, yeah.' It was a tone.' 'It made a little more sense than 'Billy Madison,'' says Herlihy, 'but we weren't afraid to swing, swing, swing.' Cameos, of course, were a major part of 'Happy Gilmore.' (The Bob Barker scene was originally written for Ed McMahon.) In the years since, many of the faces of the original have died, including Barker, Weathers, Frances Bay, the hulking Richard Kiel and Joe Flaherty, who played the heckler. Even the golf ball-stealing alligator, Morris, has passed on. 'Happy Gilmore 2,' unusually elegiac for a proudly silly comedy, nods to all of them. For the sequel, many others, like Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny and Margaret Qualley, were lining up to be a part of it. So were pro golfers. Just about all the big names in golf, including several legends, appear. The day after winning Sunday's British Open, Scottie Scheffler flew to New York for the premiere. Over the years, Herlihy and Sandler have seen a lot of them try 'the Happy Gilmore.' 'I feel like when these golfers try to do it, these pros, they're 5% thinking, 'Maybe this will work,'' says Herlihy, laughing. 'I played with Bryson (DeChambeau) like a week ago and when he did it, it was ridiculous,' adds Sandler. 'He literally blasted it 360 and just kept walking. I was like, 'Did he just smash the Happy Gilmore and not even think about it?'' It's possible that 'the Happy Gilmore' will even outlive the movies. There's a good chance that, even as you read this, somewhere some kid is trying it, hoping to get a laugh and maybe get it on the fairway, too. 'When we were putting it together, I called my dad and asked him if it was legal. He was like, 'I don't see why not,'' Sandler remembers. 'Then there are some people who look at it and go: 'It does help you swing hard. It gives you more momentum. You turn your hips faster. Maybe it's a good thing.''
