Adam Sandler had a near death experience while filming fight scene for Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler had a near death experience while filming fight scene for Uncut Gems… and went home with bruises all over his body

He plays gambling addict and Diamond District jeweler Howard Ratner in the critically praised film Uncut Gems.

And during filming, co-director Josh Safdie revealed that Adam Sandler had a scary moment where he tried to tap out during a fight scene, only for his co-star to mistakenly believe he was doing that as his character.

‘Sandler’s so in it, he’s so into the character that it started to actually get a little scary one or two times, because he’s getting choked at one point in the scene and there were all these cues,’ Josh told Entertainment Weekly. 

In character: co-director Josh Safdie revealed that Adam Sandler had a scary choking moment where he tried to tap out during a fight scene, only for his co-star to mistakenly believe he was doing that as his character during the filming of Uncut Gems; pictured in character

Josh said: ‘All three of those guys who are manhandling Sandler, it was the first movie they’ve done.’

Adding: ‘So they were very professional, but when it’s your first time – Sandler’s so into it, he’s so into the character that it started to actually get a little scary one or two times, because he’s getting choked at one point in the scene and there were all these cues.’

The co-director said that their stunt driver, who was also the stunt coordinator, had an eye on Adam the whole time ‘because there was one take when Sandler was getting choked and he was trying to tap out, but the actor thought he was just being Howard so he choked harder, and Adam couldn’t breathe.’   

Adam said that ‘the boys went at me pretty good – they beat me up I’d say maybe 120 different angles worth. And yeah I had some spots on my body.’

His craft: 'Sandler's so in it, he's so into the character that it started to actually get a little scary one or two times, because he's getting choked at one point in the scene and there were all these cues,' Josh told Entertainment Weekly; pictured January 11 in Beverly Hills

His craft: ‘Sandler’s so in it, he’s so into the character that it started to actually get a little scary one or two times, because he’s getting choked at one point in the scene and there were all these cues,’ Josh told Entertainment Weekly; pictured January 11 in Beverly Hills

Josh added that Adam ‘literally looked like a cheetah, black spots all the way up and down his right and left arms.’  

Josh said he never said anything ’til after we cut and then was like, “Thank you,” adding that he ‘thought it was amazing that when his wife Jackie saw the movie she was like, “It wasn’t you, it was a totally different person on the screen.”‘

Adam joked: ‘Yeah, we don’t know if she liked that guy better, but that’s okay.’ 

Despite the near death experience, Adam said that he loves directors Josh and Benny Safdie.

In character: He plays gambling addict and Diamond Districk jeweler Howard Ratner in the critically praised film Uncut Gem

In character: He plays gambling addict and Diamond Districk jeweler Howard Ratner in the critically praised film Uncut Gem

‘I love these guys, I love ’em. I mean, they’re incredible filmmakers. I gotta tell you, there two and Ronnie [writer Ronald Bronstein] and their whole gang, I love having these new friends, we talk all the time and I think they’re just great, great people.’ 

Uncut Gems was directed by Josh and Benny, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein.

The film was produced by Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Sebastian Bear McClard; Adam stars alongside Julia Fox, Idina Menzel and Lakeith Stanfield. 

Close: Josh said he never said anything 'til after we cut and then was like, "Thank you," adding that he 'thought it was amazing that when his wife Jackie saw the movie she was like, "It wasn't you, it was a totally different person on the screen;"' Adam pictured with wife Jackie at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on February 9

Close: Josh said he never said anything ’til after we cut and then was like, “Thank you,” adding that he ‘thought it was amazing that when his wife Jackie saw the movie she was like, “It wasn’t you, it was a totally different person on the screen;”‘ Adam pictured with wife Jackie at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on February 9