THE REEL SCOOP
A nod to the gritty humor and touching moments of the 1974 hit, The Longest Yard received an Oscar nod and garnered critical praise. The 2005 reimagining handed us a more humorous spin, garnished with star athletes. Despite its box office bounty, Adam Sandler has voiced his opinion that it doesn’t hold a candle to the classic and even joked about it being a lesser entry in his portfolio.
Paramount Pictures is ready to hit the field with a brand new remake of The Longest Yard, as reported by Deadline. This film has seen the daylight twice before: first in 1974 and again in 2005 under the direction of Peter Segal. The newest iteration is being championed by Van Toffler of Gunpowder & Sky, and David Gale, the former bigwig at MTV Films, who both put their executive touch on the 2005 version. Rodney Barnes, known for his executive production of HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, is set to script the remake.
The 1974 The Longest Yard showcased Burt Reynolds in the role of the incarcerated football hero Paul “Wrecking” Crewe. This version was a smash, pulling in over $43 million globally and securing a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Sandler-led 2005 redo saw Burt Reynolds return, this time as coach Nate Scarborough. Financially, the remake scored, with over $190 million in global ticket sales. However, its 31% Rotten Tomatoes score has Sandler humorously dismissing it in Golf Digest as a poor shadow of the original.
Both cinematic outings follow Paul Crewe’s journey from gridiron glory to a penal complex, after a reckless night puts him in cuffs for 18 months. Inside, he confronts his controversial sports legacy and is roped into assembling a squad of inmates for the warden’s guard team.
A Tale of Two Yard Lines
The first The Longest Yard managed a balancing act of laughs and poignant drama, earning it an Oscar nomination. The 2005 version, meanwhile, firmly planted its cleats in the comedic turf, trading the original’s hard-hitting depth for a lighter play. The cast included a roster of real-life athletes, adding a layer of authenticity to the on-screen football action. Even with its commercial success, Sandler reflects on it with a light roast, telling Golf Digest it’s far from his proudest moment but did help foot the bill at home. Keep your eyes on FilmSweep for more updates.
Stream the 2005 Flick on Netflix
The Longest Yard
- Release Date: May 27, 2005
- Director: Peter Segal
- Stars: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, Nelly, Michael Irvin, Walter Williamson
- Rating: PG-13
- Duration: 114 minutes
- Primary Genre: Comedy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Longest Yard Remake
What is the news about ‘The Longest Yard’?
Paramount Pictures is gearing up for yet another remake of ‘The Longest Yard,’ with a new team behind the scenes and Rodney Barnes slated to write the screenplay.
Who is involved in the new remake of ‘The Longest Yard’?
The upcoming remake of ‘The Longest Yard’ involves Gunpowder & Sky’s CEO Van Toffler and former MTV Films executive David Gale, with Rodney Barnes on board as the screenwriter.
How did the original ‘The Longest Yard’ perform?
The original ‘The Longest Yard’ from 1974 was a critical success, earning over $43 million worldwide and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 76%. It also received an Oscar nomination.
How did Adam Sandler view the 2005 remake of ‘The Longest Yard’?
Adam Sandler, who starred in the 2005 remake of ‘The Longest Yard’, has expressed that while the film was financially successful, he doesn’t consider it comparable to the original or his best work.
Where can I watch the 2005 version of ‘The Longest Yard’?
You can stream the 2005 version of ‘The Longest Yard’, starring Adam Sandler, on Netflix.
More about The Longest Yard Remake
- Deadline’s Exclusive on The Longest Yard Remake
- Adam Sandler’s Reflections on the 2005 Film via Golf Digest
- Rotten Tomatoes Score for the Original 1974 Movie
- Streaming The Longest Yard (2005) on Netflix
- More about Rodney Barnes
