A sequel to the classic 1996 Adam Sandler comedy "Happy Gilmore" may be on the way as a first draft of the script has been written.
“I saw Adam about two weeks ago, and he says to me, ‘McDonald, you’re gonna love this,'” actor Christopher McDonald, a cast member of the original film, shared in an interview on Audacy’s 92.3 The Fan.
He added, “I said, ‘What?’ He says, ‘How about that?’ and he shows me the first draft of Happy Gilmore 2.”
McDonald suggested that his comments should perhaps be “cut” from the interview, “because I don’t want to be a liar.” Still, he said, “he did show me that [script], and I thought, ‘Well, that would be awesome.’ So, it’s in the works. Fans demand it, dammit!”.
Sources say the project will be for Netflix, where Sandler and Happy Madison have long had a deal.
"Happy Gilmore" is one of Sandler’s most popular movies and one of two, along with Billy Madison, that gives its name to his production company, Happy Madison.
It follows Sandler’s titular failed hockey player with a powerful slapshot and a volatile temper. When Happy’s grandmother, who raised him, is threatened with eviction from her home due to unpaid taxes, Happy discovers that he has a natural talent for golf, specifically driving the ball incredible distances.
With the help of retired golf pro, Chubbs Peterson, played by the late Carl Weathers, he decides to join the PGA Tour to win enough money to save his grandmother’s house.
However, Happy’s unorthodox and aggressive playing style clashes with the traditional etiquette of golf, making him unpopular with PGA officials and other players like McDonald’s Shooter McGavin, a smug and arrogant golfer who sees Happy as a threat to his career aspirations.
Released by Universal Pictures, the pic directed by Dennis Dugan grossed over $82 million worldwide and retains a cult following to this day.
Sandler and Tim Herlihy wrote the movie, also starring Modern Family‘s Julie Bowen, among others. The late Bob Barker had a memorable cameo.