Netflix announced today that comedy iconsAdam Sandlerand Chris Rock will reunite to star in a new Netflix original film set to begin production in Long Island, New York this summer.The Week Ofwill be directed by veteranSaturday Night Livewriter and producer Robert Smigel. The movie covers the week of preparation for a wedding in which Sandler’s daughter is marrying Rock’s son. Happy Madison Productions' Adam Sandler and Allen Covert will serve as producers and Barry Bernardi and Tim Herlihy will serve as executive producers. Sandler and Smigel co-wrote the script. The film will premiere globally on Netflix in 2018. Here’s what Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, had to say in his statement.
“Adam Sandler and Chris Rock are cornerstones of theNetflix comedyfamily and we are over the moon about these two legends reuniting to give our members worldwide a healthy dose of the hilarity that they have been creating together for years. Similar in the romantic comedy tone of Sandler’s most recent filmSandy Wexler, this film will be the perfect vehicle for Sandler and Rock and their millions of fans around the world.”
Sandler, whose films have grossed over $3 billion, dominated box offices around the world with such films asGrown Ups,Billy Madison,Big DaddyandThe Waterboy. In 2014, the multi-hyphenate actor, writer, producer and occasional singer-songwriter set his sights on conquering the streaming world and his films have found enormous success on Netflix. Sandler’s first threeNetflix films,The Ridiculous 6,The Do-Over, and the recently launchedSandy Wexlerare three of the biggest film releases ever on Netflix. This film, which marks the reunion of Rock and Sandler who last starred together in the hit comediesGrown UpsandGrown Ups 2, is the fourth film in Happy Madison Productions' original deal with Netflix. Recently, the deal was extended to include four additional feature films.
Sandler began his career as a stand-up comedian and joinedSaturday Night Liveas a writer and featured player before founding Happy Madison Productions. He went on to star, produce and write numerous films which went on to become box office hits. Sandler has received critical accolades for his work inPunch-Drunk Love,Reign Over Me, andFunny People. He will soon be seen in Noah Baumbach’s upcoming comedyThe MeyerowitzStories (New and Selected) alongside Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller and Emma Thompson. The film will premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and will be released byNetflixlater this year.
Rock is a four-time Emmy and three-time Grammy award-winning producer, writer, actor, director, best-selling author and comedian. Rock, who began his career working with Sandler in the 1990’s onSaturday Night Live, has had starring roles in films ranging fromDown to Earth,Head of State,2 Days in New YorkandTop Five, which he also wrote and directed. Rock has leant his voice to the hit animated film series Madagascar; produced the hit television seriesEverybody Hates Chris; and has won awards and acclaim for his hit comedy specials. In addition toGrown Ups, Rock also starred with Sandler inThe Longest Yard. Rock and Netflix are also working together on twostand up comedy specialswhich Rock will star in. Additionally, Rock appeared in the Netflix’sA Very Murray Christmasspecial with Bill Murray. Rock is currently traveling the US on the first leg of his Total Blackout Tour 2017. This is the acclaimed comedian’s first tour in over 9 years.
Upcoming 2017 Netflix Original film releases include David Michod’sWar Machinestarring Brad Pitt, Meg Tilly, Tilda Swinton, Topher Grace, Lakeith Stanfield and Sir Ben Kingsley; Bong Joon-Ho’sOkjastarring Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Lily Collins, Steven Yeun; Jim Strouse’sThe Incredible Jessica Jamesstarring Jessica Williams and Chris O’Dowd; Marti Noxon’sTo The Bonestarring Lily Collins; Adam Wingard’sDeath Notestarring Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield and Margaret Qualley; Duncan Jones’Mutestarring Alex Skarsgård, Paul Rudd and Justin Theroux; Dee Rees’Mudboundstarring Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige, Jason Mitchell, and Garrett Hedlund; Ritesh Batra’sOur Souls At Nightstarring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda; Angelina Jolie’sFirst They Killed My Father, based on Cambodian author and activist Loung Ung’s gripping memoir; Noah Baumbach’sThe Meyerowitz Stories(New and Selected) starring Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson; and David Ayer’sBrightstarring Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry and Edgar Ramirez. Hopefully we’ll have more onThe Week Ofas we get closer to production starting.
