David Farnor | On 14, May 2022

“Our best chance to win in here is with you out there.” That’s the sound of Adam Sandler stepping into serious territory once again for Netflix’s sporting drama, Hustle.

The film follows a down-on-his-luck basketball scout (Sandler), who, after discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, takes it upon himself to bring them to the States without his team’s approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.

The film is co-written by Will Fetters (A Star Is Born) and Taylor Materne (NBA 2K19), with Sandler producing as part of Happy Madison’s overall deal with Netflix alongside producer LeBron James. It co-stars as real-life Spanish NBA basketball player Juancho Hernangómez as baller Bo Cruz, plus Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Jordan Hull, Ainhoa Pillet, Maria Botto and former NBA player (and current sportscaster) Kenny Smith.

You can see them in action on 8th June, when the film premieres on Netflix UK and screens in select cinemas.

 

Trailer: Adam Sandler stars in Netflix’s Hustle

19th February 2022

Adam Sandler is going down the drama route once again in Hustle, a new sports flick for Netflix.

Sandler, who has starred in eight Netflix films previously and made a slew of comedies as part of an exclusive deal with the streamer, earned serious acclaim for his serious turn in the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems. Now, he’s teaming up with We the Animals director Jeremiah Zagar for Hustle.

The basketball drama is co-written by Will Fetters (A Star Is Born) and Taylor Materne (NBA 2K19), with Sandler producing as part of Happy Madison’s overall deal with Netflix alongside producer LeBron James.

It follows a down-on-his-luck basketball scout (Adam Sandler) who, after discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, takes it upon himself to bring them to the USA without his team’s approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.

Sandler is joined on screen by real-life Spanish NBA basketball player Juancho Hernangómez as baller Bo Cruz, plus Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Jordan Hull, Ainhoa Pillet, Maria Botto and former NBA player (and current sportscaster) Kenny Smith.

You can see them in action on 10th June, when the film premieres on Netflix. In the meantime, here’s a trailer:

 

Adam Sandler to star in Netflix basketball film Hustle

21st May 2020

Adam Sandler is teaming up with Netflix for a new basketball film.

Sandler, who has made a wealth of comedies for the streaming giant as part of an exclusive production deal, recently earned major acclaim for his lead role in Uncut Gems, written and directed by the Safdie brothers. Now, he’s set to star in another filmmaker’s project, with We the Animals director Jeremiah Zagar at the helm.

Variety reports that Sandler will star as an American basketball scout who, after being unjustly fired, discovers a talented player abroad and decides to bring him to the USA to prove that they both have what it takes to make it in the NBA.

The film is written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters, with Sandler’s Happy Madison producing alongside Roth/Kirschenbaum Films and LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Entertainment.

The pitch was originally at Legendary a couple of years ago, but Netflix has now picked up the project and pitched it to Sandler as a starring vehicle. Zagar’s involvement reportedly prompted Sandler to sign on, after he has been looking for his next project after Uncut Gems.

Add to Watchlist