With the exception of Happy Gilmore, I’ve never been a huge Adam Sandler fan. It’s always escaped me why he’s had such massive success at the box office. I’ve always preferred his stand-up act and comedy albums to his films. I’m just not as hip as everyone else, I guess.
Anyway, I was totally taken aback when I came across a report that Sandler is broadening his horizons a little ( no, it’s not another shameless ploy for an Oscar like Spanglish or Punch-Drunk Love) by getting into the horror genre?
Huh?
Yes, it seems Sandler has created a genre label, Scary Madison, and its maiden voyage will be a little number entitled Shortcut. The thriller (I’m now positive the trades will NEVER use the word “horror” when it comes to describing genre films) revolves around an oft-avoided shortcut in a small town. Two hapless brothers stumble onto the damn thing and they quickly realize why everyone avoided the bloody thing like the plague.
Scary Madison’s Scott Sandler and Brian Witten will produce, while Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo will exec produce, with Nicholaus Goosen (Grandma’s Boy) calling the shots. Additionally, Scott Sandler co-wrote this one.
Shooting is set to get going in Saskatchewan next month, but should there be a SAG strike, Shortcut will not be one of the casualties; looks like Sandler’s powerhouse agency Endeavor managed to get a waiver granted should the shit hit the fan with the guild. Gotta love those package deals the stars make, huh?
In the meantime and in between time, Sandler is looking to score some more green this weekend with the release of You Don’t Mess With the Zohan.