When thinking about Adam Sandler’s Netflix movies, my mind immediately shifts to goofy comedies. The movies that feature Sandler and his pals jet-setting around the world and hanging out. Well, and delivering a 90-minute movie that 100 million people will tune into. However, every few years, Sandler pops up in something a little more serious—like 2019’s stressful masterpiece Uncut Gems. His latest film for Netflix, Hustle, sees the comedian channeling her Serious Actor persona once more.
In the film, the Sandman is talent scout Stanley Beren who is at the end of his rope. He puts his faith (and career) on the line for a single prospect. And in the teaser, like Herb Brooks or Coach Carter before him, the basketball scout delivers a rousing speech about ambition, intensity, and love—no obsession—for the game.
Congrats to Philly fast-food chain Federal Donuts on securing that coveted Adam Sandler endorsement. With a pretty sweet design, no less. It certainly suggests Hustle‘s setting. And the potential for the 76ers to have a pretty big (fictional) year.
Netflix describes the film as a “love letter” to basketball. And it boasts some serious basketball cred. NBA superstar (and Trainwreck breakout star) LeBron James is a producer on the film. Plus, current Utah Jazz power forward Juancho Hernangómez is Bo Cruz, the prospect Sandler’s laying it all out there for.
Here’s the film’s logline, per Netflix:
After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down on his luck basketball scout (Adam Sandler) takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team’s approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.
Jeremiah Zagar directs a script from Taylor Materne and Will Fetters. In addition to Sandler and Hernangómez, Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Ainhoa Pillet, Raul Castillo, Jordan Elizabeth Hull, Maria Botto, Heidi Gardner, and Robert Duvall also star in Hustle. Plus, NBA players Anthony Edwards and Tobias Harris also appear in the movie. The big question is: will we get a LeBron cameo? Maybe a quick Adam Silverspot?
Hustle debuts on June 10, 2022.
