How Adam Sandler Channels Chaos into Comedy Gold, According to 'Happy Gilmore 2' Director

When director Kyle Newachek first watched "Happy Gilmore" at age 12, he could never have imagined that the actor portraying the now-iconic titular role — a failed hockey player turned unlikely golf star — would one day become his creative collaborator.

- By Nathalie Tomada

But more than 30 years later, Newachek finds himself at the helm of "Happy Gilmore 2," working closely with none other than the lead star himself, Adam Sandler. It's an experience he described as both surreal and rewarding.

"That movie is in my comedic DNA," Newachek told The Philippine STAR in a Zoom one-on-one, recalling his early exposure to Sandler's brand of comedy. "I was 12 years old when I watched that movie and it was well before I knew what I wanted to do with my life," he shared.

The film would go on to become a cult classic for its irreverent, slapstick, underdog humor, keeping generations of comedy lovers entertained to this day, Newachek included.

"I'll be on set, like when I made Murder Mystery with Adam Sandler, and just out of nowhere, I'll start quoting his movies, 'Happy Gilmore' or his early recordings. And then I look over and go, 'Oh, right, that's you, right?' He's like, 'Yeah, that's me,'" he recalled fanboying over Sandler on set.

And so with a comedic style that spoke to him long before he entered the entertainment industry, Newachek said he approached the sequel with nothing but "a lot of love and a lot of respect."

He believes the "Happy Gilmore" legacy has endured because it set out to do one simple thing: make people laugh.