Will Adam Sandler make Billy Madison 2? In 1999, the comedy icon founded his own entertainment company, Happy Madison Productions, and has since released numerous feature films. Sandler currently has a filmmaking deal with Netflix, and Billy Madison was referenced in the 2020 movie Hubie Halloween through bully Andy O'Doyle who fits with the notorious kids from the earlier movie. Now, according to new online chatter, a sequel may indeed be heading into development a quarter-century after the original film's release.
Despite unfavorable critic reviews, Billy Madison became a cult classic and essentially launched Sandler's movie career after leaving Saturday Night Live. In the title role, he stars as a lackadaisical hotel heir who prefers alcohol and dirty magazines over actual work. When Billy's childish behavior affects business relationships for his father, Brian (Darren McGavin), he's sent back to school to prove his worth as a son and businessman. Directed by Tamra Davis, Billy Madison features cameos from Norm MacDonald, Chris Farley, and Steve Buscemi and set the tone for Sandler's entire comic output.
Billy Madison remains a popular Sandler film, as the comedy is reminiscent of so many of his Saturday Night Live skits. There's a relatable story that grounds the film, and Sandler creates laughs through both physical comedy and zany dialogue deliveries. But could a sequel happen? Here's everything we know about Billy Madison 2.
Is Billy Madison 2 Happening?
Little concrete information has been revealed about a possible sequel to Billy Madison, but rumor reports at the end of 2020 suggested that it could be in the "early" stages. So far, the only sequels Sandler has made were to the Grown Ups and Hotel Transylvania movies with Netflix commissioning a follow-up to the surprisingly successful Murder Mystery. His deal with the streaming platform may give him the kind of freedom to go back and make something like Billy Madison 2, particularly with fans keen to dial up Sandler nostalgia.
What Adam Sandler Has Said About Billy Madison 2
In 2015, Sandler spoke with Screen Rant about the possibility of a Billy Madison sequel. Based on his response, a second film didn't seem likely back then, though he did have some hope of there being "something there". However, Sandler may feel differently now that the industry has changed so much during his time collaborating with Netflix:
"I don't think about it, but those two [films] - I loved doing them. They're big ideas. Going back to school was fun for Billy, and then Happy Gilmore playing golf - there's something there. I don't know. We'll see. I doubt it, though."
Would Billy Madison 2 Be On Netflix?
Billy Madison was produced by STX Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, so Happy Madison Productions and Netflix may need to secure the proper rights for Billy Madison 2, if they haven't already. Given that Sandler has an active production deal with the streaming service, it seems that he would find a way to ensure that Billy Madison 2 could be made in the near future.
When Could Billy Madison 2 Release?
In January 2020, Happy Madison Productions extended their deal with Netflix for four more films beyond the 2020 release of Hubie Halloween. One of the movies will reportedly (via Indiewire) be an animated feature, which means that Billy Madison 2 could potentially be produced and released in 2021 or 2022 as part of the current production deal.
If Happy Madison and Netflix do move forward with Billy Madison 2, the sequel would presumably have a new main cast. McGavin (who portrayed Billy's father) passed away in 2006, and Bridgette Wilson (Billy's love interest, Veronica Vaughn) hasn't appeared in a feature film or television series since 2008. Of course, the aforementioned Farley tragically died in 1997 at age 33. Still, Billy Madison 2 could indeed bring back the original student actors, along with Bradley Whitford as Eric Gordon, Josh Mostel as Principal Max Anderson, and even Larry Hankin as Carl Alphonse.
Most likely, Billy Madison 2 will once again feature Sandler's friends and family members in supporting roles and cameos. His daughters, Sadie and Sunny, recently appeared in Hubie Halloween and could potentially be part of another back-to-school storyline in the sequel. In addition, Sandler's wife Jackie could portray his new love interest, which would add more depth and heart to the film. Over the years, Happy Madison Productions has seemingly been content with a formulaic approach and a relatively low bar in terms of filmmaking, however, Billy Madison 2 could be the ideal Netflix film for Sandler to blend nostalgia with an emotionally-affecting story about personal growth.