By Nell Geraets
The most memorable part of Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue at the Academy Awards on Monday wasn’t his jab at Jeff Bezos or even the sandworm playing a piano – it was Adam Sandler’s surprise appearance.
“You’re dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2am, Adam,” O’Brien quipped at Sandler, who was seated among the crowd wearing a baggy blue hoodie and basketball shorts. The actor comically took offence and left the ceremony in a huff.
Adam Sandler in the audience during the Oscars.Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
But for many of those watching, especially the millennials, the outfit evoked memories of Sandler’s beloved 1996 golf comedy Happy Gilmore.
In it, Sandler plays a failed ice hockey player who discovers a talent for golf, eventually using this skill to try save his grandmother’s house from being seized by the government’s tax body. But thanks to his uncontrollable temper, and a rivalry with fellow golf pro Shooter McGavin, the plan threatens to unravel.
The film received lukewarm reviews at the time but went on to make $US41 million ($65.8 million) from a $US12 million budget, and has since developed a passionate cult following.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Happy Gilmore is returning with a sequel this year. Here’s what we know so far.
Will Shooter McGavin return?
Would it be a Happy Gilmore movie without Shooter McGavin? The suave and slimy rival golf pro, played by Christopher McDonald, will return for the sequel, as confirmed in a teaser trailer released by Netflix in December.
The last time viewers saw McGavin, he had stolen Gilmore’s championship jacket and was being chased by an angry crowd. Now, he’s back, and their feud appears stronger than ever, as the pair face off in front of the headstone of Derick “Chubbs” Peterson, Gilmore’s former coach who died in the first movie.
What about the rest of the cast?
It goes without saying that Sandler will return as the titular character, dressed in his trademark Timberlands and hockey jersey, and as skilled as ever on the green, according to the teaser trailer.
Other returning actors include Julie Bowen, who plays Sandler’s love interest in the first film Virginia Venit, and Ben Stiller, who plays the sadistic retirement home manager Hal (rumour has it his iconic moustache will also make a comeback).
Julie Bowen (left) and Adam Sandler (right) in Happy Gilmore.Credit: Universal Pictures
The first film was a treasure trove of famous faces and cameos, and it seems the sequel will follow suit. NFL player Travis Kelce (aka Taylor Swift’s boyfriend) and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (aka rapper Bad Bunny) will both feature, as well as Margaret Qualley (The Substance), Eminem, Kid Cudi, pro wrestler Jacob Friedman and Benny Safdie, who co-directed Uncut Gems with Sandler.
Sadly, Chubbs presumably won’t be making a comeback after Carl Weathers’ death in 2024. That being said, if Ian Holm can feature in Alien: Romulus thanks to AI, who knows what Happy Gilmore 2 could have in store?
A behind-the-scenes video from Netflix confirmed that, like the first movie, the sequel will also include various real-life pro golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris.
According to Sports Business Journal, 27 PGA Tour and LIV golfers are in the film. In fact, Happy Gilmore 2 is cross-promoting with season three of Full Swing, a Netflix golf documentary. Full Swing cameras were rolling during the making of the Happy Gilmore sequel, and the film features in the first episode of the new season.
What will it be about?
Without an official trailer, details around the exact plot-line remain minimal. According to the teaser, Gilmore’s romance with Venit appears as strong as ever, with the pair sharing a kiss. Then there’s Gilmore’s ongoing feud with McGavin, of course.
But beyond this, little is known. The screenwriting duo behind Happy Gilmore, Sandler and Tim Herlihy, also penned the sequel’s script. However, the director has changed – Dennis Dugan helmed the first, but Kyle Newacheck (who worked with Sandler on Netflix’s Murder Mystery in 2019) took over for Happy Gilmore 2.
Is there a release date?
No official release date has been announced, however, some of its cast have hinted at July 25 during interviews.
Will it only be on Netflix?
Netflix replaced Universal as the distributor of Happy Gilmore 2, meaning the movie will belong exclusively to the streaming platform. However, it remains unclear whether it will begin with a theatrical run.
Sandler signed a four-picture deal with Netflix for more than $402 million in 2014. This was renewed in 2017 and again in 2020. Together, they have released more than 10 films on the platform, including Uncut Gems and Hustle.
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