Adam Sandler Reveals Carl Weathers’ Death Reshapes Happy Gilmore 2 Script

Adam Sandler revealed that the death of Carl Weathers, who portrayed Derick "Chubbs" Peterson in the original Happy Gilmore, led to significant rewrites for the sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, which streams on Netflix starting July 25. Weathers was set to have a major role in the sequel, with early scripts even featuring an emotional arc about Chubbs' son grappling with his father's death. After Weathers' passing in 2024, the filmmakers had to reimagine much of the story while honoring Chubbs' legacy through references and new characters, such as Chubbs' son played by Lavell Crawford. Director Kyle Newacheck emphasized that the essence of Chubbs remains integral to the film’s tone and narrative despite his physical absence. The sequel also brings back familiar faces and introduces various celebrity cameos, maintaining the spirit of the original while marking a respectful tribute to Weathers’ iconic character. Sandler and the team strived to keep the emotional depth and humor alive, ensuring Chubbs’ impact is felt throughout the movie.