Adam Sandler Reveals One Costar On The Waterboy Tossed The Script In The Trash
Before The Waterboy became a cult classic, its no-nonsense mom almost walked: Adam Sandler says Kathy Bates first tossed the script in the garbage before signing on, a reveal he shared at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Adam Sandler just told a very Adam Sandler story: Kathy Bates almost bailed on The Waterboy before it became a late-90s comedy staple. And by 'almost bailed,' I mean she literally tossed the script in the trash.
The near-miss that almost sank Mama Boucher
While being honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Sandler looked back on sending Bates the script for The Waterboy. Her first pass was... swift.
'She kind of read the first page and went... threw it in the garbage.'
According to Sandler, a colleague of Bates saw the script in the bin, gave it a proper read, and pushed her to reconsider.
'Kathy, I think you should read that script. It's pretty funny.'
Bates gave it another look, came aboard, and the rest is Bobby Boucher history. She signed on to play Mama Boucher, and the two locked in quickly on set.
Where Sandler dropped the story
He shared the whole thing onstage in conversation with Leonard Maltin during the festival tribute, which was centered on his long career and the different gears he shifts between broad comedy and dramatic turns.
What stuck after The Waterboy
Sandler said he and Bates have stayed tight ever since.
'We're very close. I love her very much.'
He also mentioned that when he lines up heavier, more serious roles, Bates checks in to boost his confidence. A nice full-circle footnote for a pairing that gave The Waterboy its bite. The 1998 comedy still plays like a cult favorite that people pass down, quote by quote, generation to generation.