'Jay Kelly' Interview: Adam Sandler and Laura Dern

Moviefone speaks with Adam Sandler and Laura Dern about 'Jay Kelly'. "All of us kind of got more in love with each other and became family," Sandler said.

(L to R) Laura Dern and Adam Sandler star in 'Jay Kelly'.

‘Jay Kelly’, the new comedy-drama from director Noah Baumbach (‘Marriage Story’), which stars George Clooney (‘Michael Clayton’), Adam Sandler (‘Uncut Gems’) and Laura Dern (‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’), opens in theaters on November 14th before premiering on Netflix December 5th.

Jay Kelly

"Everybody knows Jay Kelly, but Jay Kelly doesn't know himself."

RDrama Comedy

Review
Score

Release Date: Nov 14, 2025

Run Time: 2 hr 12 min

Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Adam Sandler and Oscar winner Laura Dern to talk about their work on ‘Jay Kelly’, Dern’s first reaction to the screenplay, Sandler’s approach to his character, working with George Clooney, and reuniting with director Noah Baumbach.

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Laura Dern as Liz in 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Netflix © 2025.

Moviefone: To begin with, Laura, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the way you approached playing this character?

Laura Dern: I mean, I fell in love with the script. Before we ever read the script, Noah saying that he had written something, and he wanted us to be part of it is just a yes immediately and a please. We didn't know for sure our characters or exactly what it was and the evolution of his writing process and then he and Emily (Mortimer) got together. We'd get little bits and pieces. So, it was incredible reading it and knowing that he wanted to make a movie about not missing it. He talked about that, and he talks about reverse engineering from the last line of the movie, which is what he thought of first and that was so beautiful. Then all he had to say was, "I was going to get to be with Adam." The greatest gift possible, and to be with George. It was true family.

(L to R) Patrick Wilson as Ben Alcock and Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick in 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Netflix © 2025.

MF: Adam, can you talk about your approach to your character, and did you draw influence from any real-life people you know or have worked with?

Adam Sandler: Sure. I have a team. Laura has a team. Clooney has a team. We all have people who grew up with us, worked with us and feel the highs and feel the times where you say, "I got to make a move and do something different," or that kind of stuff, and they back you up and you always feel comfort with them. I love being a teammate like this for Clooney's character. We were excited to make a movie together. We've been talking about this a long time.

(L to R) Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick and George Clooney as Jay Kelly in 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.

MF: Adam, George told us that he was very excited to make this movie with you. What was your experience like working with him?

AS: All of us kind of got more in love with each other and became family. George does not like to talk about himself much. He just talks about you, how he can help you and who you should call. He goes, "You got to make sure you do this." He looks out for your health; he looks out for the best place to eat and what's the best gadget to use when you're working out. He's a stud. He's just a nice person and he goes out of his way. When you talk about him, he's just like, "No, no, no, no, no. Let's not." He doesn't want to talk about himself much.

(Featured L to R) Laura Dern as Liz, George Clooney as Jay Kelly and Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick in 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.

MF: Laura, what was it like for you working with George?

LD: I mean, just fierce loyalty beyond measure, there for us. If it's the hardest moment or the most casual conversation about something we need to have or a meal we need to try, or an experience he wants us to have. "Oh, you got to see this thing. You guys, it's a 20-minute drive. You got to go."

Noah Baumbach attends the Headline Gala screening of Netflix's 'Jay Kelly' during the 69th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 10th, 2025 in London, England. Photo by StillMoving.Net for Netflix.

MF: Finally, you’ve both worked with director Noah Baumbach before, but what was it like reuniting with him on this movie?

AS: I mean, you give yourself to every thought he has. You have some moments where you bring thoughts up and try to connect more with what you're doing or what you're saying or where you're at in the movie, but he just has a gentle way of guiding you and saying exactly what he's going after, and you trust his vision. That's a good feeling. You just say, "All right. Whatever Noah's looking for, let me make sure I get it because it's all part of his plan." You have room, but it's still word for word. You want to say it. He likes when you nail it. When I first read this thing, I enjoyed the way it was phrased, so let me make sure I phrase it just like that.

(L to R) George Clooney as Jay Kelly and director Noah Baumbach on the set of 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.

LD: I mean, that's so perfectly put. I would just add that, as you said, in the rhythm, there's a musicality to language for him, but there's nothing strident, like you're there and he wants you to try it the way that feels true to you. It's wild to have it be so specific and meticulous and then have all the room in the world.

'Jay Kelly' opens in theaters on November 14th and premieres on Netflix December 5th.

What’s the story of ‘Jay Kelly’?

The film follows famous movie actor, Jay Kelly (George Clooney), as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler).