Adam Sandler’s comedy factory keeps on pumping out the product: he’s now in talks to produce and co-star with Andy Samberg in I Hate You Dad for Sony.
Dad, originally written by David Caspe, sees a father (Sandler) who moves in with his son (Samberg) on the eve of the latter’s wedding and instantly dislikes the bride-to-be, causing a comic rift in the family. Though we haven’t exactly loved much of the Sand-man’s recent output (Grown Ups, we're looking at you. And scowling), the fact that Role Models duo David Wain and Ken Marino have worked on the script give us a little bit of hope.
And then there’s Samberg. The current Saturday Night Live performer hasn’t had the best of luck in cinematic terms, at least with his leading man career. He was the focus of 2007’s Hot Rod, which is criminally underrated and ended up largely ignored at the box office. Since then, he’s mostly cropped up in supporting roles in films such as Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and I Love You, Man.* But now, while the prospect of him appearing alongside Sandler isn’t what we might have hoped for his career prospects, there’s no denying that the man’s movies are insanely popular, usually turn into big box office hits and could well help boost the artist formerly known as Rod Kimble into bigger and better things.
As it stands right now, the new comedy is still in the development stage and has no director attached. But with Sandler backing it, we’re certain it’ll take a fairly fast path to the screen.
**We’re choosing to ignore that he ever lent his voice to Space Chimps, and it’s notable that he didn’t return for the sequel. *