- A new adaptation of the sports comedy The Longest Yard is in development
- Rodney Barnes will write the script for the new version
- It is uncertain if Adam Sandler will be involved in the remake
A third iteration of the sports comedy The Longest Yard is being developed, following the success of the original 1974 film starring Burt Reynolds and its 2005 remake led by Adam Sandler. In the original version, Reynolds played a successful NFL player who had to serve a prison sentence and form a team with other prisoners to face the guards in a legendary match.
The 2005 remake saw Sandler take on the role of the NFL player who is imprisoned after participating in an illegal bet on his own game. Like the original, the character forms a team with other prisoners, with Reynolds’ character aiding him. Now, a new adaptation is in the works.
Deadline reported that Paramount is developing the new adaptation, with Rodney Barnes, writer and executive producer of sports drama Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, set to work on the script. Unfortunately, Reynolds cannot join the cast as he passed away in 2018, and it remains unknown if Sandler will be involved. Barnes has also worked on other prominent projects like Heels, American Gods, Everybody Hates Chris, and My Wife and Kids.
Adam Sandler is often considered a great comedian in Hollywood, yet he has faced strong criticism for some of his films due to mediocre humor and weak plot development. However, Sandler has shown success in dramas and sports-related films like Happy Gilmore and The Waterboy. The Longest Yard is an example of what the actor can achieve with a solid script, a well-developed character, and a story with substance. Fans hope the upcoming remake can continue this legacy.