Netflix Exec Defends Adam Sandler Deal in Wake of ‘Pixels’ Flop

Adam Sandler’s latest box office flick may have been a major flop, but that has not stopped Netflix from signing the actor on to a multi-picture deal with its streaming service.

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos attended a Q&A session with reporters Tuesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Los Angeles, where he defended the company’s decision to bring Sandler onboard after his latest film Pixels only brought in $24 million at the domestic box office during opening weekend.

“We did our deal with Adam Sandler because he is an enormous international movie star,” said Sarandos. “We are as encouraged as ever.”

After pressed by reporters about Sandler’s box office clout, Sarandos characterized himself as “thrilled” to bring audiences four new titles from the Happy Gilmore star, per Variety.

“I don’t feel I have to defend Adam Sandler,” he added.Sarandos was then asked about the controversy surrounding the production of Sandler’s first film, “The Ridiculous Six,” in which a dozen of Native American actors reportedly walked off the set after expressing concerns that the script was disrespectful and offensive.”

When people see ‘Ridiculous Six,’ the show will speak for itself,” he said. “When the movie comes out, people will see it’s fair.”Ridiculous Six is scheduled to debut December 11, and the film is a spoof of Western classic The Magnificent Seven, per The Hollywood Reporter.