Kym Whitley Opens Up About the 'Pressure' She Feels on the Set ofHappy Gilmore 2Opposite Adam Sandler (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kym Whitley at the 16th Annual African American Film Critics Association in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 19.Photo:Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Kym Whitleyis opening up about what it’s like working on the set ofHappy Gilmore 2— and she revealed that being around so many comedic heavyweights can sometimes feel nerve-wracking.

The actress spoke to PEOPLE exclusively while attending the 16th Annual African-American Film Critics Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 19. During the conversation, she shared that while working in the world of comedy feels natural to her, there is an undeniable pressure to perform to the fullest on the project.

“You do feel like you’re at home, but you’re withAdam Sandlerand greats like that […]. You feel pressure,” Whitley said before adding, “You feel like you’re at home, but you also know that there’s a level of comedy genius that you’re like, ‘I don’t know, can I compete?’ Not compete, but can I stand next to them and still shine?”

However, she also says that Sandler fosters a sense of fun on set.

“You got all this great talent around you, but Adam […] was like, ‘Hey, let loose.’ He’ll let us improv. We have a good time; the script is funny. So it doesn’t feel like work. It really just feels like fun.”

Kym Whitley at the 16th Annual African American Film Critics Association in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 19.Amy Sussman/Getty

TheNext Fridayactress also assured fans that the upcoming installment — which is slated for release in 2025 on Netflix — won’t disappoint.

“It is going to be one of the funniest movies of the year. Yes, becauseHappy Gilmore —the first one was funny.Happy Gilmore 2takes it up another level, and it is hysterical.”

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The originalHappy Gilmore, which, in addition to Sandler, starredJulie Bowen,Christopher McDonaldandBen Stiller, hit theaters in 1996 and became an instant classic. The film follows Happy Gilmore (Sandler) a former hockey pro who joins a prestigious golf tournament in an effort to win money to save his grandmother’s home — much to the chagrin of his preppy competitors.

Christopher McDonald (L) and Adam Sandler (C) in 1996’s ‘Happy Gilmore’.Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Whitley is set to appear in the sequel as one of Happy’s friends, alongsideBad Bunny,Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie andTravis Kelcewho will also be joining the cast as new additions, perThe Hollywood Reporter.

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Happy Gilmore 2is slated to premiere on Netflix in 2025.

source: people.com