Happy Gilmore 2 Sounds Fun – But Adam Sandler’s Best Movie Future Is Being Ignored.
The announcement of Happy Gilmore 2 has thrilled fans, but Adam Sandler’s recent success in dramatic roles highlights an even brighter future for the actor. Sandler, known for his iconic comedies in the 1990s and 2000s like Billy Madison, The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, and Happy Gilmore, has shifted focus as he’s aged. Recently, he has taken on more serious roles, such as in 2022’s Hustle.
Sandler first showed his talent for drama in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002 film, Punch-Drunk Love. This was a surprise given Anderson’s reputation for directing critically acclaimed films like There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, and The Master, and Sandler’s background in comedy. Following this, Sandler took on a dramatic role in Judd Apatow’s Funny People (2009) and later starred as Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems.
Happy Gilmore 2 will be available on Netflix, continuing Sandler’s recent trend of starring in Netflix films, including the upcoming 2024 release, Spaceman. Among these Netflix projects was Uncut Gems, a chaotic thriller where Sandler played a gambling-addicted jeweler. This role was one of his most challenging and compelling, earning him critical acclaim and proving his dramatic abilities.
Since Uncut Gems was released in 2019, Sandler has mainly returned to Netflix comedies and dramas with mixed success. Hubie Halloween (2020) was Netflix’s most popular movie of the year, despite mixed reviews. Murder Mystery 2 (2023) and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah also performed well, although they didn’t require Sandler to stretch his acting skills. In contrast, 2022’s Hustle, where he played an NBA scout, received a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing his talent in dramatic roles.
Even though the Safdie Brothers, who directed Uncut Gems, have temporarily parted ways, their next project with Sandler is still in development. Sandler also has a strong connection with Noah Baumbach, the co-writer of 2023’s Barbie and director of Marriage Story (2019). Sandler is set to star in another Baumbach film after his role in the 2017 drama The Meyerowitz Stories. While Sandler is a comedic legend, films like Uncut Gems show he is capable of much more and should continue to pursue dramatic roles after Happy Gilmore 2.
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