Fans of Adam Sandler have received something special this Christmas, marking the anticipation of over two decades: the teaser trailer for Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to the beloved 1996 sports comedy, was unveiled on December 25. Netflix released the teaser during its NFL Christmas Gameday Live event, sparking excitement among fans worldwide.
The original Happy Gilmore became iconic for its storytelling of a hockey player turned golfer, and now, after 28 years since its premiere, Sandler is back to reprise his role as the irascible Happy Gilmore. The sequel, which is set to hit screens sometime in 2025, will feature many familiar faces such as Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Julie Bowen (Virginia Venit), and Ben Stiller (Hal L), alongside newcomers like rapper Bad Bunny and NFL star Travis Kelce.
Speaking about the project, Sandler expressed his excitement online, posting, "Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And Happy Gilmore to all!!!!!!" The teaser showcases brief glimpses of Gilmore gearing up for yet another golf tournament, continuing his antics and showcasing the character's signature attitude.
While the plot details remain mostly under wraps, reports indicate Gilmore is now participating in senior golf tournaments. He seems to have maintained his romantic involvement with his original love interest, Virginia Venit, confirming their relationship continues, as seen when Bowen's character kisses Gilmore, stating, "We've only just begun."
Filming for the sequel started on September 9, 2023, and wrapped up on December 10. Alongside Sandler, many of his long-time collaborators have joined this project, including writing partner Tim Herlihy. Sandler has expressed his reluctance to create a sequel for many years, stating on The Tonight Show, "People have been asking me for a long time, 'Do Happy Gilmore 2,' and I was always like, 'Nah, I'll only let you down.' But then my buddy and I came up with this idea."
Bowen also expressed her excitement about the upcoming film, saying, "We're in week three of shooting and it's remarkable to see how excited people are about this film." To many fans, the anticipation is palpable, not just for the return of the original characters but for the surprise cameos being promised. Sandler has teased numerous celebrity cameos, with music icon Eminem being confirmed for the film. Sandler shared, "Eminem was cool. He came by, he was great. I've known Eminem for a long time, he's a great guy and he came in and was funny as hell."
New cast members include Massimiliano "Bad Bunny" Ocasio, Margaret Qualley, Nick Swardson, and several professional golfers such as Keegan Bradley and John Daly, all of whom will appear, albeit their exact roles remain undisclosed. This addition of sports personnel demonstrates Sandler's consistent ability to blend cinema and sports, keeping fans on their toes.
Margaret Qualley’s casting story was particularly amusing as she shared how her husband, Jack Antonoff, fibbed to Sandler about her golf skills to land the role. "What a good husband. And I can’t golf. He lied for the sake of the family… I never golfed a day in my life. I’m terrible, actually," she humorously commented.
The return of familiar faces and the addition of new characters and cameos has built up the film's narrative promise. Fans of the original are buzzing with excitement; it's all thrills to see how this all translates to the big screen. While the teaser lasts just 46 seconds, it leaves viewers with just enough nostalgia and curiosity about Gilmore's next move.
Interestingly, the film's progress and promotional outputs have already caught the attention of social media, with the trailer accumulating over 2.5 million views within hours of its release. The fervor this new installment has generated is reminiscent of what the first film incited almost thirty years ago. The blend of sports and comedy, combined with Sandler's charismatic persona, implies Happy Gilmore 2 is set to become another favorite.
With social media abuzz and fans eagerly marking their calendars for the expected 2025 Netflix release, the long-anticipated sequel to Happy Gilmore is stirring up nostalgic joy, laughter, and plenty of speculation. The efforts to bring this beloved franchise back highlight its timeless appeal—will Happy Gilmore create more memories and laughter for old and new fans alike? Only time will tell as the countdown to its debut continues.
