Netflix stirred up public interest by releasing Adam Sandler’s comedy sequel, *Happy Gilmore 2*, last Friday.Fans have been waiting for the sequel ever since Netflix announced they were working on one based on the 1996 classic, *Happy Gilmore*. In the new movie by director Kyle Newacheck, Sandler reprises his role as the unorthodox golfer famed for his driving prowess. Joining the cast are Bad Bunny, Benny Safdie, and Haley Joel Osment, while returning stars Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, and Ben Stiller reprise their roles.Film marketing was underway months before the trailer was released in May, as McDonald was spotted in character as the cocky golfer Shooter McGavin at the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. After the trailer was released, the streamer reported that it had been a major success.“People love the original movie,” Netflix’s content manager Bajaria announced for the audience during the movie's showing at Lincoln Center in New York. “When we released the trailer, fans went nuts. It’s the best trailer performance we’ve had for any Netflix film.”We learned previously from The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix has partnered with other brands, Subway, Callaway, Topgolf, and U.S. Bank to expand promotional Subway, who has been famously popularized with McDonald’s the face of the 'Happy Gilmore' meal, takes IOs McDonald. “Subway was a big part of the first one, and so they stepped up and wanted to be in the second one as well,” stated McDonald in a recent chat with ‘THR’. “Luckily, we had some great writers from the ‘Happy Gilmore’ camp who gave me some really fun lines.”To keep spreading the word about the film, other standout approaches include turning the Times Square ball into a golf ball with the face of the character on it. Plus, Sandler, who was dressed as the character, came to the NHL Draft last month to announce that the Boston Bruins had picked Happy. This week, the actor was part of a Jeopardy! segment where he had his own category.“Creating the tone of the legendary first film and getting the audience excited for the next chapter is a lotta weight,” said Netflix vice president of films marketing Jonathan Helfgot. “It is necessary to harness the good ideas, block out the bad. Good. Block. Bad.” “The exec adds, in all seriousness, Happy is the ultimate disruptor, and it was a lot of fun to push the limits on this campaign in his style. With every beat, you could feel the excitement build, and we know it won't stop now that we’re out. Every moment, we look forward to celebrating fans’ new cult-favorite moments with them.” Yes, the excitement does continue. Netflix announced, on Friday, that the easter-egg video game Happy Gilmore: Golf Mayhem ’98 Demo is now accessible to members on compatible televisions and Netflix.com. The retro game lets fans to golf and battle with, and against, beloved characters and wreak havoc. It’s enough to make Happy Gilmore feel blissful.
Around the web
