Adam Sandler Reveals Heartbreaking Twist Behind Happy Gilmore 2 After Co-Star’s Tragic Loss

How do you mourn an iconic movie character… with a golf club or a heartfelt rewrite? That’s the weird, darkly hilarious predicament Adam Sandler faced coming back for Happy Gilmore 2 nearly 30 years—yes, three decades—after the original sent putters flying and introduced an alligator to the sport. But no sequel could prepare us for this slice of tragedy and cringe (a literal killer golf ball, for crying out loud) that launches Happy into single fatherhood, debt spirals, ballet tuition woes, and a bizarre carousel of celebrity cameos. Oh, and somewhere in all this distraught chaos, we say goodbye to the great Carl Weathers—Sandler’s co-star and the spirit (sometimes literally!) of Chubbs Peterson—that legendary hand-losing mentor whose presence had to be felt even after his own script was cruelly cut short by real-life loss. Makes you wonder: Is a sequel even a sequel when the heart of the story is re-written out of necessity and grief? For all the surreal humor, meta-cameos, and unexpected emotion, this one’s a masterclass in mourning and marketing. Ready for a deep-dive into the mayhem, heartache, and A-list golf dads? LEARN MORE.

*This article contains Happy Gilmore 2 spoilers*

Adam Sandler was forced to change Happy Gilmore 2 after the devastating death of an important co-star.

After almost 30 years, the comedy legend reprised the Happy character who retires from pro golf under tragic circumstances.

The Netflix film starts on a sad note after Happy accidentally kills his wife Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen) with a golf ball during a game.

He is now left a single father to five children that include his on-screen and real-life daughter, Vienna (Sunny Sandler).

As Happy sinks into debt, Vienna is accepted to the Paris Opera Ballet School, and the father attempts to raise thousands of dollars for tuition.

Christopher McDonald is back as his arch nemesis Shooter McGavin, as Ben Stiller returns Hal L.

Let’s not forget celebrity cameos alike Bad Bunny, Eminem, Post Malone, Travis Kelce and Rory McIlroy.

Adam Sandler said Happy Gilmore 2 could have looked a lot different (Netflix)

Carl Weathers, one of the main characters from the original film, sadly passed away last year, and was meant to be a huge part of the new storyline.

After his death, Sandler said he had to change the script, but was insistent in making Chubbs Peterson’s presence felt throughout the film.

“We had a painful change. Carl Weathers had a massive part,” Sandler told Collider. “I would talk to Carl, and we were excited, and then Carl passed away. We had to rewrite a lot of the stuff, and even what the story was. We made a lot of nice references to how great Chubbs was in the movie. That was the biggest change.

“In the first version that we came up with, he had a son,” he explained.

“He was coming back to me a lot in my dreams, and he had a son who was mad at Happy for causing the death of daddy.”

At the end of Happy Gilmore 2, similar to the first, Chubbs waves down at Happy, alongside Abraham Lincoln and an alligator named Morris.

Sandler said ‘Weathers had a massive part’ in the new film (Columbia Pictures)

Director Kyle Newacheck also noted how important Weathers’ character is to the film, adding: “You can’t make Happy Gilmore without Chubbs Peterson.

“It doesn’t exist. You can be assured his spirit is throughout the film.

“He may not be by Happy’s side anymore, but he’s on his shoulder.”

Weathers’ death certificate indicated that the 76-year-old died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at his LA home on 2 February 2024.

Sandler issued a heartfelt tribute at the time, calling him ‘a true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete.’

“So much fun to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything,” he wrote in a post on social media.

“What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend.”