Adam Sandler teaming with LeBron James on Hustle at Netflix

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Adam Sandler is continuing his very successful partnership with Netflix and he's teaming up with basketball star, LeBron James, for his next effort.

Sandler is set to star in HUSTLE, with Jeremiah Zagar at the helm. LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Entertainment are producing the film along with Sandler’s Happy Madison, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films. The film will follow an American basketball scout who, after being unjustly fired, discovers a talented player abroad and decides to bring him to the U.S. to prove that they both have what it takes to make it in the NBA.

The project was originally pitched to Legendary in 2018 but Netflix acquired the rights and quickly began selling Sandler on the idea as making it his next starring vehicle. Taylor Materne wrote the script while Will Fetters did a polish on the screenplay which led to Zagar taking on directing duties. Zagar's involvement is what apparently pushed Sandler to sign on.

Sandler is coming off the best reviews of his career for 2019's UNCUT GEMS. The film earned him a Spirit Award and he was named Best Actor by the National Board of Review. Many critics and moviegoers alike felt like he was snubbed for an Oscar nomination for the film but the movie went a long way to show Sandler can take on meatier roles that don't play on the schtick that has been his bread and butter for years. According to "Variety", Sandler has really been weighing his options for his next project to follow UNCUT GEMS and it looks like HUSTLE could be it. If time and the right opportunity presents itself, Sandler could take on another project before he goes into filming HUSTLE as he continues to take time to find the right projects.

LeBron James started SpringHill Entertainment with his business partner Maverick Carter and their first work together was the 2009 documentary MORE THAN A GAME. The banner has also produced TV series such as the NBC game show The Wall, Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse, and the animated series, The LeBrons.

 Do YOU think this is the right direction for Adam Sandler after UNCUT GEMS?