Rob Schneider was notably absent from the 2013 comedy sequel Grown Ups 2, despite having a major role in the original 2010 film. His absence was quite surprising given his friendship with lead actor Adam Sandler and history of appearing in multiple films in Sandler’s Happy Madison universe. So why exactly was Schneider not part of the Grown Ups 2 cast?
Rob Schneider’s Previous Happy Madison Roles
Before delving into the reasons behind his absence from Grown Ups 2, it’s useful to first look back at Schneider’s history with Adam Sandler and Happy Madison productions. Schneider and Sandler first met as cast members on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s and went on to become good friends and frequent collaborators.
After leaving SNL, Schneider starred in a number of popular Happy Madison films including The Waterboy, Big Daddy, The Animal, The Hot Chick, 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard, Click, Bedtime Stories, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, and the original Grown Ups. He became known for playing quirky supporting characters and provided a reliable source of laughs in these Sandler-led comedies.
In many of these films, Schneider had limited screen time but made the most of his scenes – often stealing laughs from the main stars. So heading into the making of Grown Ups 2, Schneider seemed poised to reprise his role as Rob Hilliard, one of Lenny Feder’s (Adam Sandler) eccentric childhood friends.
Schneider’s Role in Grown Ups
In the first Grown Ups movie, Rob Schneider’s character Rob Hilliard is one of five childhood friends who reunite in their hometown for the funeral of their beloved basketball coach. Like Kevin James’ Eric and Chris Rock’s Kurt, Rob appears sporadically throughout the film to provide comic relief.
Memorable Rob moments from the original film include:
- Speaking at Coach Buzzer’s funeral and accidentally knocking the coffin off its stand
- Mistaking a sleeping deer for a murdered human
- Getting attacked by the deer when it wakes up
- Appearing in the background of various scenes dancing wildly and engaging in silly antics
While certainly not the focus of the first movie, Schneider’s lovable idiot character was a hit with viewers and played well off his longtime friends Sandler, James, Rock, and David Spade.
So Why Wasn’t Rob Schneider in Grown Ups 2?
In 2012, it was reported that Rob Schneider would not be reprising his role as Rob Hilliard in the Grown Ups sequel due to scheduling conflicts. Filming overlapped with Schneider’s CBS sitcom ¡Rob!, which ran for 8 episodes before being cancelled in early 2012.
Schneider later clarified that he wanted to be part of the sequel but couldn’t due to his commitment to his TV show. He told radio host Dan Patrick:
“Hardly a week goes by when someone doesn’t come up to me and say ‘Why the hell weren’t you in Grown Ups 2?’ You know, I had a television series called ¡Rob! …But I wanted to do it because I loved the first movie.”
He also joked:
“The quality of Grown Ups 2 without Rob Schneider is going to be seriously affected. But the good news is Taylor Lautner stepped in for me – he’s hilarious!”
Indeed, the absence of Schneider’s wacky character was notable in the sequel, which focused more on the adult children played by Taylor Lautner, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and others. While it was still a box office hit, Grown Ups 2 got a more tepid critical and audience reception than the original.
Would Schneider Have Made Grown Ups 2 Better?
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It’s hard to say for sure if Rob Schneider’s presence would have improved Grown Ups 2. On the one hand, he may have added some much-needed humor and given fans nostalgia for the first film. His brand of physical comedy and unabashed silliness could have produced big laughs, especially in scenes opposite newer cast members.
However, there’s also a chance his appearance could have felt gimmicky or taken the spotlight away from a new generation of characters. Critics already felt Grown Ups 2 repeated too many jokes from its predecessor. So more Rob Hilliard screen time may have been seen as overkill.
Where Else Have Fans Wondered About Schneider’s Absence?
Beyond Grown Ups 2, Rob Schneider’s absence from certain Happy Madison Productions has also been noted over the years. A few examples include:
The Benchwarmers (2006)
This comedy about a trio of adult misfits who form a baseball team notably included David Spade but not Schneider. His brand of humor could have worked well here.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)
Like The Benchwarmers, this buddy comedy starring Sandler and James lacked an appearance from Schneider. His fans questioned not even including a cameo.
Jack and Jill (2011)
Widely panned as one of Sandler’s worst comedies, critics and audiences alike complained that Rob Schneider could have at least provided a few bright spots via a supporting role.
Pixels (2015)
This sci-fi comedy based around classic 80s arcade games had cameos from other Sandler pals like Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Kevin James, and Peter Dinklage. Schneider was noticeably absent.
Sandy Wexler (2017)
Set in the 1990s with many nostalgic references, this Netflix original seemed tailor made for a quick Rob Schneider appearance. But he is nowhere to be seen.
Of course, each film has its own reasons for casting choices. But Rob Schneider fans still speculate on social media and forums about why he often sits out certain Happy Madison films.
Does Schneider Have a Falling Out With Sandler?
Based on interviews, there appears to be no bad blood between Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider. As recently as 2017, Schneider commented on their friendship to the Tampa Bay Times:
“We check in with each other all the time because we love each other. I root for Adam harder than anybody. And we’re still close friends to this day. I would drop anything to be in any of his movies.”
Likewise, Sandler has sung Schneider’s praises over the years and included him in some of his most successful films. There seems to be nothing more than conflicting schedules behind Schneider’s absences from certain Happy Madison projects.
Recent Reunions
Despite missing out on some films, Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler have reunited a few times in recent years:
- Schneider had a cameo as a Canadian priest in 2018’s The Week Of
- He appeared briefly playing himself in Sandler’s 2019 standup special 100% Fresh
- He acted alongside Sandler again in 2020’s Hubie Halloween in a small role as a deranged patient
So while fans may lament Schneider skipping certain movies, he and Sandler clearly remain good friends. Their comedy chemistry lives on in their occasional reunions. And Schneider seems game to collaborate with Sandler again whenever their packed schedules allow.
Does Schneider Have a Future in Happy Madison Films?
Even if he missed out on some major Happy Madison releases, there’s always hope Rob Schneider could turn up in a future Adam Sandler comedy. Sandler’s production company has numerous films and Netflix exclusives in the works, providing plenty of opportunities.
Rumors suggest Sandler may eventually make Grown Ups 3 to complete the trilogy. If so, bringing back Rob Schneider’s Rob Hilliard character would be a logical move. Similarly, Schneider would be a natural fit for cameos or supporting roles in other Happy Madison sequels like The Waterboy 2 or Big Daddy 2 if those ideas ever materialize.
As Sandler continues headlining comedies into his later career, he may lean more heavily on his old SNL buddies for that familiar chemistry. That could mean bigger parts for the likes of Schneider, Spade, Rock, James, and Nick Swardson. Schneider himself has said he’s just a phone call away if Sandler ever needs him for one of his movies.
Schneider is Busy With His Own Projects
While Rob Schneider is beloved by fans for his collaborations with Sandler, he has always pursued his own projects as well. This will likely continue being the case going forward.
Highlights of Schneider’s non-Happy Madison work include:
- Leading his own sitcoms Rob and ¡Rob!
- Voicing a guacamole character in 2016’s animated hit The Angry Birds Movie
- His current standup comedy tour
- His podcast and YouTube series See What Happens
- His roles in non-Sandler films like The Hot Chick, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, and Home Sweet Hell
Schneider remains very active in TV, film, and standup. He likely has to be selective in picking Happy Madison projects that fit with his busy schedule. But considering his loyalty to Sandler and fans’ demand to see them reunited, future team-ups seem inevitable.
Conclusion
Rob Schneider’s absence from Grown Ups 2 and other Happy Madison releases over the years can simply be chalked up to the classic challenge of busy actors trying to align their schedules. Schneider has made it clear he relishes any chance to collaborate with his close friend and former SNL co-star Adam Sandler. Thankfully for comedy fans, the duo have managed to work together numerous times since their days on SNL.
While it was indeed disappointing not to see Schneider reprising his role in Grown Ups 2, he and Sandler continue reuniting periodically. And given Schneider’s willingness to drop everything for a new Sandler project, it seems hopeful he will pop up again soon in another Happy Madison production. Their comedic chemistry and history together are still highly appealing to audiences.