Adam Sandler was forced to change Happy Gilmore 2 after the devastating death of an important co-star. After almost 30 years, the comedy legend reprised the Happy character who retires from pro golf under tragic circumstances.

Not every cast member could return for "Happy Gilmore 2." Here's what you need to know about Chubbs, who was played by Carl Weathers.

In 1996’s “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers played the golf mentor to Sandler’s Happy Gilmore. Sandler told Collider that Chubbs had a bigger part in the sequel when they were drafting the initial scripts.

Happy Gilmore 2 just dropped on Netflix, and while it’s probably not going to win any Oscars, most fans seem to be really pleased with the sequel, me included. It’s a goofy good time with some big laughs and a ton of cameos and returning characters. It also includes one big WTF death scene that left me and the actress involved absolutely shocked.

Adam Sandler said he had to rewrite Happy Gilmore 2 following Carl Weathers ‘ death. The actor and comedian, who is reprising his role as Happy Gilmore in the sequel to his beloved 1996 sports comedy, recently told Collider that Weathers’ Derick “Chubbs” Peterson was planning to return for the new movie before he died last year at age 76 .

Richard Kiel, an iconic Bond villain who portrayed a giant Happy Gilmore fan who intimidates rival Shooter McGavin in the first film, is honored by having his character's son appear in the sequel. Kiel died at 74 in 2014.

“Carl Weathers had a massive part,” Sandler, 58, confirmed. Weathers, who died at age 76 on Feb. 1, 2024, played the one-handed Derick "Chubbs" Peterson — mentor to Sandler’s titular hockey player-turned-golfer — in the 1996 sports comedy.

“Happy Gilmore,” released in 1996, was Sander and Herlihy’s second movie, following “Billy Madison.” Sandler was just exiting “Saturday Night Live.” Herlihy was Sandler’s roommate at New York University and became a lawyer before Sandler got him to stick to writing comedy. (You might remember the “Herlihy Boy” sketch .)

Today’s the day! Adam Sandler’s newest film, Happy Gilmore 2, is finally available to stream on Netflix! But before you watch it, and spot all the celebrity cameos like Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Jeopardy!