Adam Sandler provides update as ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ begins shooting
For an actor who’s spent decades working repeatedly with the same writers, directors, crew members, and co-stars over and over again, not to mention one who’s played the same archetypal character on so many occasions, Adam Sandler doesn’t make a lot of sequels.
In fact, he’s hardly made any, with the actor and producer having only reprised two roles in his entire career. Lenny Feder became the first when Grown Ups 2 was released in 2013, and it would be a decade before he did it again when he returned as Nick Spitz in Murder Mystery 2.
However, Sandler has officially confirmed that the trilogy is in production, and it’s one that his fans have been demanding for years. Whether anybody loves or hates the star’s particular brand of comedy, it’s at least admirable that he hasn’t taken the easy way out and churned out a never-ending slew of sequels to capitalise on what’s always been an impressive track record at the box office, and latterly on Netflix.
The ferocious drive of Happy Gilmore has always been at the top of the wish list for Sandler’s army of supporters, though, and he’s finally giving them what they’ve been asking for since 1996. He’s always been open to the idea of picking up the golf clubs again, but dragging it out of development hell and onto the screen remained his biggest obstacle.
In March 2024, Shooter McGavin actor Christopher McDonald revealed that a screenplay had been written, and in May, it was confirmed that Happy Gilmore 2 was in the works at Netflix. Continuing on in the vein that’s served him so well, Sandler will be reuniting with two key creatives he knows very well.
Director Kyle Newacheck helmed Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s first Murdery Mystery film, while the leading man’s co-writer on Happy Gilmore 2, Tim Herlihy, is a veteran of the Happy Madison production company, having previously worked on the first Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, Little Nicky, Mr Deeds, and many more.
At long last, cameras are now rolling on Happy Gilmore 2, with the first day of principal photography coinciding with Sandler’s 58th birthday. MacDonald’s McGavin and Julie Bowen’s Virginia Venit will be joining him, alongside new additions Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Nick Swardson, and Benny Safdie.
It’s been a long time coming, but the short-tempered golfer is heading back to the greens and onto Netflix, potentially before the end of 2025.