Adam Sandler has confirmed that the late Carl Weathers read the first draft of Happy Gilmore 2 shortly before his death, a revelation that underscores how deeply the sequel has been reshaped to honor the actor. Speaking during a recent press junket for the Netflix comedy, Sandler said Weathers was “excited” about returning as one‑handed mentor Chubbs Peterson and originally held “a massive part” in the script.
Weathers died on Feb. 1, 2024, at age 76, forcing what Sandler called a “painful change” that required the writers to rethink several story beats while weaving tributes to Chubbs throughout the new draft.
The sequel, premiering July 25 on Netflix, reunites Sandler with Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Christopher McDonald, while adding Bad Bunny, NFL star Travis Kelce and Sandler’s daughters Sunny and Sadie. Sandler explained that the updated plot follows Happy as he helps his teenage son chase a pro‑tour dream, echoing the mentorship role once filled by Chubbs. McDonald, who reprises villain Shooter McGavin, said last year that Sandler had already shown him an early draft, evidence the long‑rumored follow‑up was finally gaining speed.
Industry observers note that Happy Gilmore 2 is the tenth feature in Sandler’s $250‑million Netflix pact and could extend the streamer’s summer‑comedy streak after Murder Mystery 3. Marketing analysts point to golf’s rising popularity and the crossover appeal of Bad Bunny and Kelce as factors that may broaden the audience beyond ‘90s nostalgia seekers.
Although Netflix has not disclosed budget figures, executives are banking on the original film’s enduring cultural footprint—its “just tap it in” mantra has logged more than 900 million TikTok views—to drive global engagement. Sandler said he hopes the revised screenplay “makes Carl proud,” adding that Weathers’ family has blessed the tributes and that Chubbs’ spirit will “loom large over every green”.
