AEW World Champion MJF could have played a very different role in the Netflix movie Happy Gilmore 2 were it not for Adam Sandler.
The sequel to the hit 1996 comedy dropped on Netflix in the summer of 2025 with dozens of cameos throughout from the golfing, sports and entertainment world. Prior to the film’s release, news broke that MJF would be playing the role of Gordie Gilmore, Happy’s eldest son. Featured prominently throughout the film, the pro wrestler made his role a memorable one at this stage of his acting career. However, according to Maxwell Jacob Friedman, it wasn’t the role he went for.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, the AEW star noted that he originally intended to be on the evil golfer team alongside WWE star Becky Lynch. However, when Sandler saw Friedman’s audition, he wanted to have the AEW World Champion in a more featured role:
“I had an audition. I actually auditioned to be the evil golfer that would have been beside Becky’s character. Becky rules, by the way, if you don’t like Becky Lynch, go f*ck yourself. Anyway, so I auditioned for that role, and Sandler saw it. I didn’t find this out until later, and he was like, this kid is funny, and he kind of looks like me. Can we try him out to be one of the sons? So he specifically out of God knows how many people that auditioned were like him. Then when I got to work with him, it was so apparent to me, obviously you already know how talented he is, but how much of a good, down to earth human being he is. Whatever happens to my career now is because no different than Cody and Tony taking a chance on me is in my career in LA is because Adam Sandler took a chance on me, and that’s something I’m never gonna forget. When I make it big, which I will, it’s something I’m never gonna let him forget.”
MJF Beat Up Eminem In Happy Gilmore 2
One of the most high-profile cameos in the movie was rap megastar Eminem, who played the son of the heckler who repeatedly yelled “Jackass” at Gilmore in the first movie. However, in the sequel, Eminem was thrown into a pond by Gilmore’s sons, including MJF. When asked about this part in the movie, MJF recalled what it was like meeting Eminem while filming the movie:
“I did beat the sh*t out of Eminem, yeah. Marshall Mathers, he rolls deep. He showed up on that movie set with a big crew, probably 10-15 dudes, and they were all easily as big as Luchasaurus. It’s like massive human beings, and I get it because he’s seen some sh*t. So I’d imagine it’s no different than when a wrestling fan might see me out and about, being next to who is arguably the greatest rapper of all time was one of the only times in my life where I was star struck was that moment.”
After being thrown into the pond, Eminem’s character was attacked and killed by crocodiles in what was another homage to the first movie.
Still reigning as the World Champion at the time of writing, MJF is set to put his title on the line against Brody King at Grand Slam: Australia on February 14.
Featured image: Netflix
