With Happy Gilmore 2 set to debut on Netflix on July 25, Adam Sandler has shared how the script had to undergo significant changes following the death of Carl Weathers. The actor, who originally portrayed Derick “Chubbs” Peterson in the 1996 film, passed away earlier this year at the age of 76.
Impact of Carl Weathers’ Death on the Sequel’s Storyline
In an interview with Collider, Sandler explained that Weathers’ character was initially written to play a major role in the sequel, which required a rewrite after his untimely passing.
“We had a painful change. Carl Weathers had a massive part. I would talk to Carl, and we were excited, and then Carl passed away. We had to rewrite a lot of the stuff, including what the story was. We made a lot of nice references to how great Chubbs was in the movie. That was the biggest change,”
Sandler said.
Original Script and Character Development for Chubbs’ Son
The first draft of Happy Gilmore 2 involved Weathers’ character having a son who would confront Happy Gilmore over his father’s death, impacting the sequel‘s emotional depth. As Sandler described,
“In the first version that we came up with, he had a son. He was coming back to me a lot in my dreams, and he had a son who was mad at Happy for causing the death of Daddy.”
Chubbs, in the original film, was a former professional golfer who had to retire after losing his hand to an alligator, a key part of his character that contributed to his mentorship of Happy Gilmore.
Returning and New Cast Members in the Sequel
The sequel features several returning actors including Adam Sandler reprising his role as Happy Gilmore, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller. The new cast includes rapper and actor Bad Bunny, Sandler’s daughters Sadie and Sunny, as well as NFL star Travis Kelce. Additionally, well-known professional golfers Scottie Scheffler, John Daly, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau will appear, adding authenticity to the film’s golf scenes.
Production and Legacy of the Happy Gilmore Franchise
Adam Sandler, along with Tim Herlihy, Robert Simonds, and Jack Giarraputo, returns as a producer for the sequel. Sandler and Herlihy also co-wrote the script as they did for the original movie. The first Happy Gilmore film was a major milestone in Sandler’s career, directed by Dennis Dugan and released by Universa in 1996. It tells the story of a fiery hockey player who discovers an unexpected talent for golf to help save his grandmother’s home.
The changes made to Happy Gilmore 2’s script following Carl Weathers’ death highlight the emotional adjustments necessary to honor his legacy, while the inclusion of both returning cast members and new faces aims to create a fresh yet familiar experience for audiences.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Adam Sandler’s religion?
A. In February 2011, Adam Sandler attended a Hollywood Walk of Fame event with his daughters, Sunny and Sadie. Sandler has been married to Jackie Sandler, formerly Jackie Titone, since 2003. Jackie converted to Judaism, which is Sandler’s religion.
Q. Is Adam Sandler a billionaire?
A. Adam Sandler is not a billionaire, but he does have a lot of money. His net worth is about $420 million, which is really high, just not a billion.
Q. What religion is Adam Sandler?
A. In February 2011, Sandler attended a ceremony with his daughters, Sunny and Sadie, where he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sandler married Jacqueline “Jackie” Sandler, whose maiden name is Titone, in 2003. She converted to Judaism, which is Sandler’s religion.
