Adam Sandler Enlists AEW’s MJF For Happy Gilmore 2 Role

Earlier this year, Adam Sandler announced that Netflix will produce and stream Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to one of the actor’s fan-favorite films. Now, the film has added AEW wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman aka MJF to the cast.

According to Deadline, Friedman’s role is currently undisclosed, but he’s a natural heel–bad guy–in the wrestling ring and one of AEW’s top stars since the company’s launch in 2019. MJF is a former AEW World champion who previously made his acting debut in A24’s The Iron Claw, a drama about the famous Von Erich wrestling family. Friedman is also slated to appear in the upcoming films The Floaters and Stranglehold.

The original Happy Gilmore featured Sandler in the title role as a hockey player who discovered he had a natural talent for hitting a golf ball. But Happy’s out-of-control temper and inability to putt threatened to derail his golfing career. Julie Bowen played Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit, while Christopher McDonald portrayed his nemesis, Shooter McGavin. Bowen and McDonald will both return for the sequel. Travis Kelce and Margaret Qualley will have cameo roles, while Bad Bunny is also slated for an unknown part in the flick.

Murder Mystery director Kyle Newacheck is reteaming with Sandler for the sequel, which is being co-written by the actor and Tim Herlihy. Netflix hasn’t set a date for Happy Gilmore 2 yet.

Image credit: Getty Images/Cindy Ord