Mike Francesa is set to portray Adam Sandler’s bookie as the comedian gets serious in A24’s “Uncut Gems.” A trailer was released on Tuesday.
Mike Francesa and his fans constantly tout his “number one” status in the radio ratings. This holiday season, he could wind up topping the box office at the multiplex as well.
The polarizing sports talk radio host is set to make his theatrical film debut in Uncut Gems, a crime drama released by A24. Adam Sandler stars as a New York jeweler and gambler who lands on the wrong side of dangerous gangsters. It’s a role that goes against type for Sandler, more renowned for his comedic exploits.
Francesa’s role in the film was first reported by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. He’s set to play Gary, Sandler’s character’s bookie in the film. He shares a brief scene with the star in a trailer released on Tuesday.
As Sandler makes a bet involving the Boston Celtics and Kevin Garnett (who appears as himself in the film), Francesa appears and utters a line you’d never hear on WFAN’s airwaves.
“Well, I’ll tell you what I know, that’s the dumbest f***ing bet I’ve ever heard of,” he declares. Sandler declares he disagrees with a smile.
Francesa previously appeared as himself in the 2003 HBO film “Undefeated,” starring and directed by John Leguizamo.
Inviting athletes and sports media personalities to the silver screen is nothing new for Sandler, a noted supporter of the New York Yankees and Jets. Francesa’s radio rival Michael Kay appeared in the 2013 film “Grown Ups 2.” One year prior, ex-Jets head coach Rex Ryan had a supporting role as a Tom Brady/Bill Belichick-adoring attorney in “That’s My Boy.” Radio host and former “SportsCenter” anchor Dan Patrick has appeared in 14 films under Sandler’s Happy Madison production banner.
“Uncut Gems” will be released in select cities on Dec. 13 and nationwide on Dec. 25. The film co-stars Idina Menzel (“Frozen”), Eric Bogosian (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent”), and The Weeknd, also portraying himself. Critical response to the film has been positive thus far, as rave reviews have emerged from renowned film festivals in Toronto and Telluride, Colorado.
