AEW’s Most Talked-About Wrestler Joins the Cast of Happy Gilmore 2

Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (better known as MJF) has officially joined the cast of Happy Gilmore 2, the follow-up to Adam Sandler’s hit 1996 comedy that’s currently in production, and will debut on Netflix at some point next year. Friedman accompanies the returning Sandler, as well as Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald, who are also on board to reprise their respective roles of Virginia Venit and Shooter McGavin.

Per Deadline, details behind Friedman’s character remain under wraps, so it’s unknown at this point if he’ll be appearing as himself in a small cameo, or if he’ll have a part with a little more meat on the bone. The wrestling star has been dipping his toes in Hollywood as of late, having a part last year in A24’s The Iron Claw, for which he’s credited as an executive producer. He also lent his voice talents to Justice League × RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, a direct-to-video animated release in which he voiced the role of Waylon Jones, a.k.a. Killer Croc. More recently, Friedman has also wrapped filming on The Floaters, an independent comedy starring Seth Green and Aya Cash, and will also appear in the comedic thriller Stranglehold alongside Ron Pearlman and Justin Long.

Inside the world of wrestling, MJF is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in AEW thanks to his ability to blur the line between fiction and reality with his commanding mic skills that are second to none. In the five years he’s been there, the 28-year-old has the distinction of being the longest-running World Champion in the company’s history (406 days), and has been featured in high-profile storylines with the likes of other iconic superstars such as CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and current WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, all of whom have also dabbled in Hollywood productions over the years. His ability to go from hated heel to beloved anti-hero and back again is a testament to his versatility, which bodes well for his burgeoning career in Tinseltown as he looks to follow in the footsteps of other wrestlers that have carved out a name for themselves in the acting world, including Dave Bautista, John Cena, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

MJF Joins a Growing List of Stars for Happy Gilmore 2

While a firm release date has yet to be set, Friedman joins an expanding list of stars that have thus far signed on to appear in Happy Gilmore 2, which is currently filming in New Jersey. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been confirmed to have a cameo in the film, and The Substance’s Margaret Qualley will also make an appearance, as will Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny, and Sandler’s Uncut Gems director Benny Safdie.

Plot details for Happy Gilmore 2 remain under wraps, but there has been speculation that – given his age – the film could center around Sandler’s character entering a seniors golf tournament. As recently as September 17, filming was taking place at a mini-golf and driving range in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and some behind-the-scenes photos and a video were taken earlier this week, showcasing a little of what fans can expect from the sequel.