Sun’s out, fun’s out!
Adam Sandleris playing a different game inHustle.
In basketball terms, he’s trying to sink a half-court shot as the clock runs out.
Scott Yamano/Netflix
“It’s very much aRockystory,” Sandler says.
Why was this the right project to finally do that?
you’re able to’t stop thinking about it."
Scott Yamano/Netflix
How did Juancho end up starring in the movie?
The whole process of finding Bo Cruz was done during the quarantine.
We saw a lot of great players, and a lot of guys who were good at acting also.
We were like, “Boy, this guy is a natural.”
I really got close with Juancho, and I really feel like family with that guy.
He’d go, “Oh, it was?
OK, great, thanks, man.”
And then he’d just move on.
He wouldn’t talk about it.
It wasn’t his first passion, you know?
He’s just kind of like, “I gotta go practice my basketball, man.
I gotta get out of here.”
[Acting] isn’t his life, so that kind of put him more at ease.
How did this role compare to some of the other dramatic work you’ve done in the past?
A lot of people have dealt with this in their life.
How much were you shooting hoops with Juancho and the other NBA players on the set?
I played a little bit they slowed the game down 90 percent so I could actually play with them.
But I loved just talking to the guys.
I got to meet a lot of coaches, and talk a lot of hoop.
I know hoop, but I don’t know it like these guys.
They know every historic moment and everything that’s going on.
Were there any players who worked on the movie that you were particularly excited to meet?
He was a sweetheart, and I can’t thank him enough.
And I can’t thank everybody who was in the movie enough, honestly.
We all just hung out and had a great time talking.
It was just a massive hang.
It’ll be hard to have a set that feels like that ever again in my life.
Who are you rooting for in the NBA playoffs right now?
That’s a good question.
I can’t tell you who I’m pulling for.
Now that I’m buddies with everybody, I’m happy for them all.
So I can’t say nothin'.
[Laughs]
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
