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A sequel to 1996’s Happy Gilmore is in the works, and now Adam Sandler has shared more information about it. Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, Sander confirmed that he’s writing the movie with Tim Herlihy, with whom he wrote the original movie. Sandler also confirmed he’s making the movie for Netflix, which is no surprise given Sandler’s rich deal with the company.
“We’re working on it. Me and [Tim] Herlihy are diligently trying to make a good reason for everyone to come and watch and have a good time. Netflix is excited about it,” he said. “We’re working on it. We’ve got some good ideas. We have a million ideas already, we just have to make it a movie. We love Happy Gilmore. We don’t want to let anybody down. We’re gonna work hard and make sure it’s good.”
A number of the original movie’s stars have passed away, including former The Price is Right host Bob Barker, Carl Weathers, and Joe Flaherty. Of their deaths, Sandler said, “It sucks. We love those guys. They’re such a big part of the movie and just great people.” He said he began work on Happy Gilmore 2 when all three were alive.
Sander added that he thinks that “somehow they’ll be involved” in Happy Gilmore 2 in some capacity, though it remains to be seen how. Possibilities include through archival footage or potentially the film could include references to their characters to honor their legacy, among other things.
Patrick suggested that Drew Carey, the new host of The Price is Right, could appear in Happy Gilmore 2 as someone that Sandler’s character, Happy, beats up, like he did to Barker in the original.
Finally, Sandler said he plans to film Happy Gilmore 2 somewhere on the east coast of the United States. Christopher McDonald, who played the villain in the original, Shooter McGavin, was the first to leak the announcement of Happy Gilmore 2.
Sandler played the title character, Happy Gilmore, a failed hockey player whose powerful slapshot translated to booming power on the golf course. The movie also featured the late Carl Weathers as Happy’s coach, along with Julie Bowen, Kevin Nealon, Ben Stiller, and Allen Covert. Frances Bay, who played Happy’s grandmother and was the entire reason Happy sought a career in professional golf to help save her house with prize money, passed away in 2011.
The film’s violence helped inspire developer Digital Eclipse to pitch a Happy Gilmore hybrid fighting and golf game, but unfortunately it never went anywhere.
Happy Gilmore celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021. To mark the occasion, Sandler performed his character’s iconic and unconventional swing in real life, and he’s still got it.
Happy Gilmore 2 will be just the latest high-profile golf project for Netflix. The streaming giant is also behind the Full Swing documentary series and hosted a live event called The Netflix Cup in 2023 featuring PGA Tour and F1 drivers.
