George Clooney & Adam Sandler to star in Noah Baumbach's next project for Netflix; will Direct & Co-Write

by Darian Scalamoni

    Sometimes a partnership and collaboration come together that gets you so excited that you just want to scream at the top of your lungs. This is that, for me, 100%. Deadline has reported an exclusive that Noah Baumbach's (Marriage Story) next film will star George Clooney (Up in the Air) and Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems). The latest will continue the collaboration that Baumbach has with Netflix, Sandler, also has a major overall deal with Netflix so it's a match made in heaven.

    Baumbach will direct and co-wrote the script with Emily Mortimer for the currently untitled drama that is described simply as a "coming-of-age film with adults." It will most likely follow that same style of comedic but emotional tales that fill the 3-time Oscar nominee's filmography. Baumbach's last three films: White Noise, Marriage Story and The Meyerowitz Stories all have premiered on Netflix, while the latter project was his first film that starred Sandler. Since then, however, Baumbach has been in the awards conversation for a different reason. He co-scripted Barbie, alongside his partner Greta Gerwig who directed the feature as well, resulting in arguably the biggest movie of 2023, and potentially, of all-time for its box-office and cultural impact. 

    The biggest part of this though is that this untitled project will be the very first time that Sandler and Clooney have worked together, and with a visionary such as Baumbach with such a distinct voice and style that cater to the abilities of both performers, it could create a very special project. Though many would believe that Clooney had worked previously with Baumbach, they have yet to work together. 

    Clooney is a 2-time Oscar winner, one for his acting role in Syriana and also a win for Best Picture, serving as a producer on 2012's Argo. Recently, Clooney directed The Boys in the Boat, which releases on Christmas Day. His last acting role was last year in the romantic comedy, Ticket to Paradise opposite Julia Roberts, but he'll appear next year in Jon Watts' spy thriller Wolfs alongside frequent on-screen partner Brad Pitt for Apple.

    Sandler has started to lean into his acting abilities in recent years, mixing in his fair share of dramatic roles with his comedy. Most recently though, Sandler's latest hit for Netflix is an animated family film, Leo, in which he voices a 70-year-old lizard. He also released two other projects for the streamer this year in Murder Mystery 2 and You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah. His two other projects that released before these, however, leaned more into drama territory with basketball drama Hustle and the Safdie Bros. directed, Uncut Gems. He will next star in Johan Renck's Spaceman opposite Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano.