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By Robert Scucci | Published
Today, Kevin James and Happy Madison Productions go together like lamb and tuna. Or, if you prefer, spaghetti and meatballs.
James, with his larger-than-life personality and knack for physical comedy, is a perfect replacement for Chris Farley, and I have reason to believe he’s the big guy Sandler turns to whenever he has Farley on his mind. In an alternate timeline where Chris Farley hadn’t passed away, I don’t think James would ever find himself in Sandler’s creative sphere, and that’s not a knock on his acting abilities. It’s a practical and logical continuation of the humor Sandler would have reserved for his best friend if he hadn’t suffered a tragic overdose in 1997.
Kevin James, who fills very big shoes, is the best option in Chris Farley’s absence. As far as I’m concerned, he earned his keep.
Grown Ups was originally conceived with Chris Farley in mind
2010 grown upsstarring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin James, was in early development before Chris Farley’s death, and it is widely understood that Farley would have originally taken on one of the central roles. A film about old friends who reunite as adults after growing apart was tailor-made for Sandler SNL circle, but the project was shelved after Farley’s death and Sandler moved on to other things.
The sad reality is that Sandler never really got over the death of his best friend. Making that movie at that time would have been emotionally brutal.
Years later, Kevin James, then best known for The king of queensentered Happy Madison’s orbit. He first appeared with Sandler in 2007. I now pronounce you Chuck and Larryfollowed by a small part in 2008 Don’t mess with Zohan.
Enter Paul Blart.
James took his first lead solo role under the Happy Madison umbrella with 2009’s Paul. Blart: Mall Police. This was the test. Could he carry a film on his own while delivering the kind of physical comedy and full-bodied commitment that Farley was known for in films like tommy boy?
Critics hated it, but audiences came and the box office numbers ($186 million, not much) showed what Sandler probably needed to see. James could lead from the front, take the hits, fall down stairs and make it fun. With that confidence in place, grown ups it finally got the green light the following year, with James taking the spot once intended for Farley.
Addressing the elephants in the room
In an effort to make my point without seeming mean-spirited, we must acknowledge the elephants in the room. Chris Farley was and Kevin James is a big guy. Not just the big ones, but the big ones that could actually move. That distinction is important here.
Kevin James played college football as an offensive tackle, was a top wrestler in high school before an injury sidelined him, and also competed in volleyball, track, and basketball. He still trains in mixed martial arts today and has said he would step into the octagon if the opportunity presented itself. He has true athletic control, so he can take full-body hits and sell his physique without looking clumsy.
Chris Farley had a similar athletic background. He played soccer in high school and rugby in college. His physical comedy didn’t emerge from chaos. It came from discipline and conditioning.
David Spade has said that Farley could do backflips on command and constantly surprised people with how agile he was for his size. As proof, look up your 1996. Late show with David Letterman entrance where he bursts onto the stage, picks up Letterman’s stage manager, carries him outside on his shoulder while working the crowd, throws him into a dumpster, and then heads back inside. When he sits up, he barely seems out of breath.
Try doing that in a job interview. You will vomit and security will escort you out of the building.
Their shared athleticism was the real selling point. It was never just about being the big, fun guy. It was about being able to tell jokes with your entire body, something Farley did and James does effortlessly.
It is not a replacement but a continuation
Calling Kevin James Adam Sandler a silver medalist is not an insult. It is an acknowledgment of the emotional reality behind casting. Sandler adored Farley. She still speaks of him with visible love. Kevin James did not replace Farley. He picked up the torch so that the projects built around that specific energy would not die with him.
