The crowds were out in force at the Savoy Cinema, Dublin, on Wednesday night, eager to catch a glimpse of US comedy kings Adam Sandler (The Waterboy, Mr. Deeds) and Rob Schneider (The Animal, 50 First Dates), who had jetted into Dublin for the Irish premiere of their new movie ‘You Don’t Mess With the Zohan’.
Welcomed by a huge Irish cheer, Sandler and Schneider slowly made their way up the red carpet, signing autographs, posing for pictures and making time to talk to their hoards of Irish fans who braved the grey weather to meet their movie idols. Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Sandler, who co-wrote the movie with Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) and Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live), told the pack of awaiting journalists it wasn’t his first time in Ireland.
“I’ve been here before but this is my first time to get to hang out and have fun. I’m going to get in my Guinness right after this and I’ll be staying up late. I went for a jog in the park earlier and I was just thinking ‘man, it would be great to shoot a movie here it’s just beautiful!’ I’m here for two days so I’m going to make the most of it.”
Sandler, known for his numerous lovable goofball roles, had to brush up on his hairdressing skills for the movie, in which he plays special forces soldier, Zohan Dvir, who fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist.
“I learnt that a good haircut takes some time, because usually when I go to get my hair cut I keep yelling at the person ’Hurry up!’ but now I can go ‘Oh right, do your thing up there!” All I’m good at is a nice shampoo - I put the ladies to sleep with that and I give a nice head massage.”
The film’s director Dennis Dugan, who has directed Sandler in ‘Big Daddy’, ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry’ told IFTN how he loves working with the comedic pair. “Adam and I have worked together 12 years, and Rob and I have also worked on a bunch of movies, so it’s always a lot of fun.”
When asked how he found Ireland he responded. “I like Ireland so far, both hours that I’ve been here, I only got off the plane at five o’clock! You’ve got an airport and a hotel and pubs so it looks good so far! I think we are going to do another project together, me and Rob and Adam, I’ll make it be in Ireland.”
Before being ushered into the film screening, Schneider revealed to IFTN how he is considering an upcoming project in Ireland. “I’ve been here a couple of times before and I’d love to work here, as a matter of fact there’s a TV show I might be doing here in the future.”
Check out IFTN's pics from the Red Carpet HERE
‘You Don’t Mess With the Zohan’ is released in Irish cinemas on August 15th.
