Adam Sandler talks his return in 'Happy Gilmore 2' and what's next for his character
Adam Sandler's beloved character, Happy Gilmore, is making his return in "Happy Gilmore 2," and things have definitely changed.
Nearly 30 years since Gilmore first hit the big screen, "Happy Gilmore" became a '90s classic that helped launch Sandler into comedy superstardom with its hilarious one-liners and over-the-top antics on the golf course.
In an interview with Michael Strahan that aired on "Good Morning America" Monday, Sandler shared why he decided to bring Gilmore out of retirement, revealing that fan requests for a sequel finally got to him.
"When I walk down the street a lotta times people will say, 'you ever gonna do Happy Gilmore 2?'" he shared. "And for 28 years, I was like, 'What are you talking about? No.' And then all of a sudden I was like, 'Maybe.'"
As for Gimore's life now, Sandler said his life isn't quite what it used to be.
"He's older. He's a little thicker, as you can tell from one of these camera angles," Sandler joked. "But Happy Gilmore's life isn't perfect right now at the beginning of the movie. And he's a family man, and he's gettin' back into the golf game."
The film, which was announced by Netflix in May 2024, also boasts a star-studded cast with cameos from Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and even professional golfers.
In the "Happy Gilmore 2" trailer, Kelce appears as a waiter, delivering his line, "It's great to have you back, Mr. Gilmore."
Strahan asked how Sandler managed to pull such an impressive lineup together.
"I don't know how it happened," he shared. "We wrote 'em stuff, everybody was kind enough to come. And everybody in it did a great job. Every day, someone cool would show up and we'd hang out."
The movie is also a family affair for Sandler, featuring his wife, Jackie Sandler, and their daughters, Sadie and Sunny.
When Strahan asked about his family's thoughts on the original "Happy Gilmore," Sandler shared a funny moment.
"They like 'Happy Gilmore,'" he said. "I would come home while the kids were growing up and see them sitting on a couch and with their friends, and one of my movies would be on. And I hear my voice, and I'd be like, 'Uh-oh, what's the response gonna be?' And 99% of the time, they did the right thing."
"And on occasion, they would stare at me like, 'How did you do this?' And I'd be like, 'Hey, that was a long time ago,'" he added.
One thing fans have come to expect from Sandler is his signature style.
Strahan jokingly referred to it as "Dad Chic," to which Sandler laughed in response, saying, "It's comfort, what fits."
"It's slowly getting difficult. Every day it's a different adventure with the fitting," he said.
When asked what it would take to get Sandler into a tuxedo, he couldn't help but laugh.
"If I get an invite to something that requires a tuxedo, my initial reaction is so mad. I'm so mad," he said. "Even though it's gonna be around nice people and all that stuff, I'm just, like, first of all, I gotta have a guy come over and measure me, and then make the tux, and put it on me.' And then it's itchy and I'm in a bad mood."
While Strahan may be suited up for work, he joked, "I have an Adam Sandler summer all the time."
"Happy Gilmore 2" will hit Netflix on July 25.
