Adam Sandler Netflix Deal Makes Waves: Comedian to Star in 4 Films, First Could Come as Soon as 2015
Adam Sandler's Netflix deal is making waves. The comedian and movie star inked an exclusive four-picture deal with Netflix, and the first of them could come out as soon as next year, according to reports.
Adam Sandler's deal with Netflix will put his Happy Madison productions alongside the distribution power of the online streaming TV and movie service to bypass theaters altogether. Netflix recently has been transitioning to become more than a streaming service after gaining critical acclaim for "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black" and announcing an exclusive sequel to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
"People love Adam's films on Netflix and often watch them again and again. 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," Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a press release.
While critics have panned most of Sandler's recent releases — "Blended" alongside Drew Barrymore and "Jack and Jill" got particularly terrible reviews — it can't be denied that the 48-year-old's films make money. Even with "Blended," the film brought in $125 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Sandler's movies have raked in over $3.9 billion so far.
Sandler didn't have much to say about the deal, so it's unknown whether the films will be comedies or more serious genres. He did sound excited to work with the growing platform.
"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,'" Sandler said in a prepared statement. "Let the streaming begin!"