Summary

• Rob Schneider's absence from Grown Ups 2 was due to a combination of availability and financial issues, as he was focusing on his sitcom and stand-up career at the time.
• Rumors of a falling out between Schneider and Adam Sandler were debunked, as they have continued to work together in subsequent movies, including The Ridiculous 6 and Sandy Wexler.
• Despite Schneider's absence, Grown Ups 2 performed similarly to its predecessor in terms of box office sales and critics' reviews, suggesting that his departure may not have significantly impacted the franchise. However, his character would be welcomed back in a potential Grown Ups 3.

Adam Sandler's Grown Ups 2 brought back the star-studded cast of the original, but Rob Schneider's Grown Ups 2 absence was noticeable. Schneider is well known for his many, many collaborations with Adam Sandler. After starring on Saturday Night Live at the same time, the pair first worked together on The Waterboy in 1998, and their movie careers started to take off around the same time. Schneider appeared in supporting roles in several Sandler-led movies while Sandler also produced many of Schneider's comedies.

2010's Grown Ups notably featured Sandler and his famous friends, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Kevin James, in addition to long-time collaborator Rob Schneider. The movie found the ensemble of comedy icons playing childhood friends who reunite and prove they are just as immature in adulthood. Despite Grown-Ups being a critical failure, its box office success allowed for a sequel. However, Schneider was notably absent for Grown Ups 2 despite the rest of the actors returning.

Rob Schneider's Reasons For Turning Down Grown Ups 2

Personal And Professional Obligations Seem To Be The Reason

Rob Schneider didn't return to Grown Ups 2 because of a combination of availability and financial issues. Schneider himself explained he wouldn't be part of Grown Ups 2 due to his 2012 sitcom Rob; he also cited money issues playing a part in his decision. During their report about actor Nick Swardson replacing Schneider by playing his character's brother, Vulture pointed out that Rob had been canceled before the production of Grown Ups 2 was set to begin.

That said, Schneider had a baby in 2012 and was refocusing on his stand-up career, so it seems a combination of factors led to him passing on the sequel.

The Sandler Renaissance Has Clearly Not Forgotten Rob Schneider

Leo Was Sandler And Schneider's Most Recent Collaboration

Because of Rob Schneider's Grown Ups 2 absence and several subsequent Adam Sandler movies caused rumors of a falling out between the two. However, they later reunited for The Ridiculous 6 in 2015, Sandy Wexler, and once again for Hubie Halloween. This trend has continued with Sandler's first animated collaboration with Netflix in Leo which features Schneider as part of the voice cast.

Schneider was also in Home Team in 2021, which was produced by Sandler's production company Happy Madison. Even though Sandler wasn't in the film, clearly he and Schneider are still working together. Schneider's Grown Ups 2 absence seems to have been a result of circumstances for that particular movie, and the pair remain strong collaborators. Outside of working with Sandler, Schneider has most recently appeared in Daddy Daughter Trip, and Amor es amor.

Was Grown Ups 2 Hurt By Not Having Rob Schneider?

Will There Be A Grown Ups 3?

While seeing all the famous friends sharing the screen was part of the fun of these movies, Grown Ups 2 didn't face a dip in box office sales and critics' reviews of the sequel weren't all that different from the first entry despite Rob Schneider's absence. The first film made $271 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo) worldwide, whereas the sequel made $246 million (via Box Office Mojo). The critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes for both films, while extremely negative, were also within one point of each other. Overall, Schneider's absence didn't negatively impact the sequel.

Despite middling reviews, audiences are open to the prospect of Grown Ups 3. If the film were to happen, then Schneider would likely be back to reprise the role of Rob Hilliard. However, given that Sandler has been moving towards more serious work lately, including his upcoming Netflix drama Spaceman, it is uncertain he would be interested in going back for a third movie. Perhaps, just as Schneider missed out on Grown Ups 2, Sandler might not return and allow his costars to take the lead.