Kevin James: Sandler Turned Mall Cop From 'Horrendous' Cut

Kevin James recently shared on The Drew Barrymore Show how Adam Sandler was crucial to the success of his 2009 film, 'Mall Cop'. James, who starred in and co-wrote the comedy about a mall security guard, admitted that the initial rough cut of the movie was 'horrendous' and that he feared his career was over. He credited Sandler, who was also a producer, with knowing exactly what to do with the footage.

Sandler's involvement transformed the film, allowing scenes to breathe and ultimately creating a movie that resonated with audiences. 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' proved to be a significant financial success, earning $183 million worldwide against a budget of $26 million. This success led to a sequel in 2015, 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2'. James expressed his profound respect and admiration for Sandler, calling him 'the greatest' and stating he follows his lead.

James also recalled working with Sandler on other films, including 'Grown Ups' and '50 First Dates,' the latter of which also featured Drew Barrymore. Barrymore, who has collaborated with Sandler multiple times, discussed her own early interactions with him, initially believing they were destined to make many movies together. James is currently promoting his new romantic comedy, 'Solo Mio,' set to open on Friday.