Will Ferrell attended the premiere of his new Netflix series The Hawk on July 9 in Los Angeles, where he discussed how his character, Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins, would fare against Adam Sandler's iconic Happy Gilmore. Ferrell noted that while both characters approach golf differently, their personalities would lead to an entertaining rivalry on the course.
The Hawk and Happy Gilmore: A Golfing Showdown
In his remarks to The Hollywood Reporter, Ferrell explained, "they come from two different approaches. I think Lonnie's a fan of Happy; they'd have a great time, but Lonnie would get inside of his head." This playful rivalry highlights the contrasting styles of both characters, promising a chaotic yet humorous competition.
Co-stars also weighed in on the hypothetical match-up. Jimmy Tatro commented, "I think they would get on each other’s nerves. I think Happy would be irked by The Hawk; it’s hard not to get annoyed by The Hawk if he’s beating you, but just the antics, it’s the kind of thing that would drive you nuts on the golf course."
Character Dynamics and Anticipated Comedy
Luke Wilson added, "They’re both kind of wildcards; it would be a good match," drawing a parallel to the famous rivalry between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Fortune Feimster, who plays a role in The Hawk, mentioned that the characters are fundamentally different, which adds to the humor. She stated, "I think you love seeing these non-golf type guys in the very buttoned-up golf world. That’s the comedy, the juxtaposition."
Ferrell hinted at a potential crossover in future seasons, suggesting that Happy Gilmore could appear in season two. He mused about merging universes, akin to superhero movies, saying, "I’m sure all the actors would say yes and both streaming people would be like ‘No! Keep it separate!’"
Why a Series Instead of a Movie?
Ferrell, known for his roles in sports comedies such as Talladega Nights and Semi-Pro, explained his decision to pursue a series format this time. He expressed a desire for deeper character development, stating, "I was really interested in the possibility of getting to shoot something in Los Angeles and I was intrigued with playing a character for longer than 90 minutes in a film." He emphasized the creative freedom that comes with a series, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the story and its characters.
Ferrell's character comes with a distinctive look, featuring a branded visor and unique tan lines, which even led to him headlining a campaign for Skims. Feimster recounted an early table read, saying, "Will showed up in the outfit, smoking a cigarette, and we all knew as soon as he walked in the room; we were like, ‘Oh, this is going to be good.’"
The Hawk is set to start streaming on Netflix on July 16, promising audiences a blend of comedy and sports entertainment.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Hollywood Reporter. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
