Cody Rhodes Reportedly Had Talks For Role In Major Movie
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The recently released Adam Sandler comedy, Happy Gilmore 2, features several professional wrestlers, but a new report has revealed that another top WWE star was also considered for a role. According to Fightful Select, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes was asked to read for a part in the movie.
The report states that Rhodes had talks with the film's production team. However, scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented the opportunity from becoming a real possibility.
Scheduling Conflicts For Cody Rhodes
While Rhodes was requested to read for an unspecified role, his demanding schedule as a top WWE superstar made taking on the project impossible. The filming schedule for Happy Gilmore 2 was an extensive one, requiring AEW's MJF, who has a featured role, to take months off from television.
As the current King of the Ring and the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, a similar hiatus was not an option for Rhodes. While the role was not in the cards, his focus remains squarely on his main event match against John Cena this weekend.
Wrestlers and Adam Sandler: A History
Adam Sandler has a long and well-documented history of casting professional wrestlers and other large athletes in his films. The 2005 remake of The Longest Yard famously featured a lineup of wrestling legends, including Bill Goldberg, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, and The Great Khali. Other Happy Madison productions have featured stars like The Big Show, who had a memorable role in The Waterboy.
Cody Rhodes looks on during the WWE Royal Rumble at Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
Cody Rhodes looks on during the WWE Royal Rumble at Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
Alex Bierens de Haan
Sandler is a known wrestling fan, and his history of successfully using wrestlers in his movies makes the report that he was interested in a star of Cody Rhodes' caliber very plausible.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
The "American Nightmare" On Screen
Cody Rhodes is no stranger to the world of acting. During his time away from WWE, he landed a recurring role on the popular CW superhero series, Arrow. He played the villainous drug dealer Derek Sampson for multiple seasons, proving he has legitimate acting chops. He has also appeared on other television shows, including serving as a judge on the competition series Go-Big Show.
While a role in Happy Gilmore 2 didn't work out, it is a clear sign that Rhodes is on Hollywood's radar. For now, however, his story is being told inside a WWE ring.
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