Adam Sandler signs an exclusive deal with Netflix

[Mitch Henessey]

Days after setting Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend as its first theatrical feature, Netflix has set a quartet of films that will star Adam Sandler, who’ll produce the features under his Happy Madison banner. The films will bypass theaters and be made available directly to Netflix subscribers in 50 countries.

The major theatrical chains responded to the deal for Crouching Tiger 2 by saying they would not show the film, which also will play IMAX screens. As studios and theaters fight over closing the windows between theatrical and home entertainment to make films more like the user-friendly programming in television, it was inevitable that a disruptive upstart like Netflix would start making features. If stars like Sandler sign up to headline them, this protesting from theater chains soon will be like theater owners arguing they are hanging on to the horse-drawn cart business while others are going with cars. This deal is an important next step. While Sandler has made his share of underperforming movies like the recently released Blended, he certainly is a branded performer.

He is quite good in The Cobbler, the Thomas McCarthy-directed film that premiered at Toronto. It has been the Happy Madison-produced films that underwhelmed, but it’s possible that a new platform will benefit him. Sandler’s film long have been hot rental titles for Netflix, according to the company.

“People love Adam’s films on Netflix and often watch them again and again,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “His appeal spans across viewers of all ages — everybody has a favorite movie, everyone has a favorite line — not just in the U.S. but all over the world.”

Said Sandler: “When these fine people came to me with an offer to make four movies for them, I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only: Netflix rhymes with ‘wet chicks.’ Let the streaming begin!”

http://deadline.com/2014/10/adam-sandler-netflix-four-films-844591/

I can't say this news surprises or shocks me too much. I'm not saying I have a crystal ball or I can see into the future, and I knew Adam Sandler would sign a four picture deal with Netflix, but when you consider the poor quality of his films over the past nine or ten years, you get the feeling Adam Sandler is someone, who's more concerned with a paycheck and sticking to his routine to ensure a steady flow of future paychecks. As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Yes, Sandler is reviled by the critics, and he consistently receives Razzie Awards and nominations, but Sandler has an audience and loyal fans, and the proof is in the numbers. Grown Ups finished its theatrical run with $271,430,189 for the overall worldwide gross, the sequel finished with $246,984,278, Jack & Jill raked in $149,673,788, and more recently, Blended wrapped up its run in theaters with $126,794,610 (a lot of help from foreign box office profits) for the worldwide gross. That's My Boy is a lame duck in the recent pack, but when you look at the big picture, it's hard to deny the support from Sandler's fanbase.

Personally, I cringe, when the Happy Madison Productions logo pops up on the screen at a movie theater for the trailer, and I've lost interest in Sandler over the years. I'll admit, as a kid I was big Adam Sandler fan, and into my teenage years, but now I'm just burnt on the same old routine (for his comedy films) over and over again.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[GI Cake]

Oh man, I can't wait for those Netflix movies starring Adam Sandler as that snarky, lovable underdog who does his best to ear the love of the girl and a shit ton of money in the process.

 

[Dave]

Meh.

That's about my only reaction to this really.

I mean, it's good business for both parties involved. Adam Sandler hasn't made a good movie since Happy Gilmore and his reputation for doing so has taken a massive hit. Jack & Jill and Blended were two of the worst movies I have ever witnessed. Ever. But having a girlfriend does that to people, I guess.

Netflix, on the other hand, are going to scream and shout about this because they feel as though they are closing the gap on the big screen. Signing up people like this will only make them more credible in the future, I suppose.

That said, I hope that this sets Sandler free a bit more. They have tried to turn him into an Eddie Murphy type guy. They guy who did have a bit of an edge and then tamed him down through terrible movies and marketed him to kids until his reputation was gone too. My only hope is that Netflix allow Adam Sandler to go back to his roots and make movies that aren't meaningless shit aimed towards kids.

But we'll see.

 

[ExplicitMoxViolence]

It's probably the best thing for him. He hasn't got to go through that painful situation, which involves his films being released in cinemas & we know that we'll all probably tune into them at some point, because Netflix subscribers aren't going to specifically be paying for that ONE film.

They probably won't be any good, let's all agree to that. But we'll watch them.