What The Cast Of Just Go With It Is Doing Today

When "Just Go With It" debuted a decade ago in 2011, it seemed like a solid rom-com bet thanks to the film's all-star cast. Between Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Brooklyn Decker, and an appearance by Nicole Kidman, this was a stacked crew with a ton of potential. Unfortunately, the movie wasn't quite the critical hit that fans had hoped for, and is generally considered one of Sandler's worst cinematic offerings. It only scored a 19% rating with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score was slightly better at 59%. The real test was the box office though, where Sandler fans proved they were all-in regardless of the reviews: The film earned a worldwide gross of nearly $215 million on an $80 million budget.

No matter how you feel about the Dennis Dugan-directed movie itself, the story of a plastic surgeon (Sandler) who convinces his assistant (Aniston) to pretend to be his ex-wife in order to impress his new love interest (Decker) has its positive aspects — namely the gorgeous Hawaiian backdrop, for one. But Aniston and Decker also received many favorable comments for their roles, proving that sometimes a great cast really does elevate less than stellar material.

So what has that cast been up to lately? Let's have a closer look.

While Adam Sandler had hit movies both before and after "Just Go With It," one company in particular that continues to want to be in the Sandler business is Netflix. The streaming service makes good coin on movies like "The Ridiculous 6," and "The Do-Over" — movies that haven't earned high scores on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, but have kept the fans who love watching Sandler hang out with his buddies (Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock) satiated.

The Sandler-Netflix relationship began in 2014 when the company offered him an estimated $250 million to make some films. Since then his onscreen reunion with Jennifer Aniston on "Murder Mystery" became the most popular title on the service in 2019, and his Halloween-themed follow-up, "Hubie Halloween," was one of the biggest Netflix hits of 2020. Add in the fact that Netflix says its users have watched more than two billion hours of Sandler films since 2015, and it was no real surprise that the company extended its Sandler partnership in 2020 with an additional four films.

While Sandler is making some good dough generating movies with his buds, he is also exploring more serious parts, too. His lead role in the Safdie Brothers' "Uncut Gems" made a big splash when the film opened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019, and had a lot of fans excited over his ability to deliver such an amazing performance alongside actors like Lakeith Stanfield and Idina Menzel.

It seems like Sandler is interested in continuing to pursue those kinds of opportunities in the near future, since he's signed up for the upcoming sports drama "Hustle" from director Jeremiah Zagar, and the sci-fi thriller "Spaceman" from director Johan Renck. The former film stars Queen Latifah alongside Sandler as he plays a washed-up basketball scout who tries to get back into the NBA with a new international recruit. In the latter, Sandler co-stars alongside Carey Mulligan in an adaptation of Jaroslav Kalfar's novel about an astronaut who encounters a mysterious, ancient creature while exploring the far reaches of the galaxy. 

Both projects continue Sandler's collaboration with Netflix, proving that the streaming giant is interested in more than one look from their Happy Madison Productions partner.

Adam Sandler has definitely been busy since "Just Go With It," but let's not forget that Jennifer Aniston has been in high demand as well. In addition to reuniting with Sandler in "Murder Mystery," she has appeared in a handful of theatrical comedies like "Dumplin'," the "Horrible Bosses" franchise, "Office Party," and "We're The Millers."

Ever since her breakout run in "Friends," it's been easy to believe that comedy is Aniston's bread and butter. But just like her "Just Go With It" co-star Sandler, Aniston has also proved to be deft with dramatic roles. That was apparent in 2014 when she took on the leading role in the Daniel Barnz-directed drama "Cake." The film made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival that year to critical acclaim, changing the conversation around the former "Friends" star and her acting chops. In the dark film Aniston plays a woman who suffers from extreme chronic pain following a car crash, and her name even came up as a potential Oscar contender that year. Ultimately she wasn't nominated, but the role gave fans a whole new look at what kinds of parts she can really tackle.

Well before the "Friends" reunion became a reality, Aniston was also busy starring in another buzzworthy television series: "The Morning Show." Both Aniston and her co-star Reese Witherspoon reportedly make $2 million per episode of the Apple TV+ series, which isn't exactly pocket change. More importantly for viewers, Aniston also received her share of accolades for the role of daytime talk show host Alex Levy. Following the first season debut in 2019, she was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the gig. She also took home the trophy for best actress in a drama at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Meanwhile, Aniston and her fellow "Friends" cast members kept fans on their toes as HBO Max announced, then delayed, then delayed the "Friends" reunion again as a result of the pandemic. It finally debuted on HBO Max at the end of May 2021.

The cast spilled plenty of tea about what it was like to film the series, also sharing fond (and not so fond) memories from the set. But it was Aniston who made the biggest reveal of all when she told the world that she and David Schwimmer crushed on each other in real life during the show's first season. They never did anything about it though. "I just remember saying one time to David, 'It's going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television,'" Aniston told interviewer James Corden. "Sure enough, first time we kissed was in that coffee shop. So, we just channeled all of our love and adoration for each other into Ross and Rachel."

Before Brooklyn Decker landed the role of Palmer in "Just Go With It," she had very little experience acting. In fact, the movie also happened to be the former model's first big screen role. At the time it was quite a big deal for her.

"It's sort of been my secret. And this is sort of cowardly, but I was a bit afraid to admit that I wanted to be acting because it's such a cliché — model turned actor. Everyone will roll their eyes," she told Self in 2011. "I've been working with acting coaches for a few years and I've been auditioning for things for about three and half years now, but I kept it under wraps because if it didn't work out, I didn't want it to be a failure of mine. I auditioned for 'Just Go With It' quite a few times and Adam Sandler gave me a huge chance. He was willing to work with me and take his time because he thought I was right for the role. It was a dream first experience for me."

Since then Decker has had a few more career-making opportunities, including starring alongside James Van Der Beek and Zoe Lister-Jones in the short-lived CBS sitcom "Friends With Better Lives." You can catch her next in the final season of Netflix's "Grace and Frankie," in which she plays Jane Fonda's onscreen daughter, Mallory Hanson.

Kidman's part as Aniston's onscreen rival in "Just Go With It," was small, but it was a part that Kidman felt was important to take at that point in her career because she had just finished filming a more serious role. "It was fun. This was the film that I did straight after 'Rabbit Hole' so it was important to do something light where I could laugh and put on a hula skirt," she told Access Online back in the day.

While the gig may not be the most memorable in Kidman's repertoire, she has certainly been busy with other theatrical releases over the past decade. She's played everything from a villain in "Paddington" and Grace Kelly in "Grace of Monaco," to Bryan Cranston's love interest in "The Upside," to Atlanna in "Aquaman." It's no wonder critics continue to call her a "revelation."

That doesn't mean Kidman doesn't have her work cut out for her with her next few projects. In addition to starring as Queen Gudrun in director Robert Eggers' "The Northman," she will also play the one and only Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin's upcoming film, "Being the Ricardos." The casting decision has proven controversial, and first-look photos of Kidman dressed as the iconic actress went viral when they first surfaced.

"The strange thing about Lucille Ball is that everyone thinks we're remaking the 'I Love Lucy' show, and it's so not that," Kidman told Variety. "It's about Lucy and Desi and their relationship and their marriage. It's very deep, actually."

If you've found yourself wondering when Kidman has time to sleep, you wouldn't be alone. In addition to continuing her impressive big-screen career she has also taken up permanent residency on television screens by acting and producing in series like "Big Little Lies" and "The Undoing." Audiences and critics seem to be responding, too. Following the first season of "Big Little Lies," in which Kidman starred in the Emmy-winning role of Celeste Wright, there was so much buzz that the crew and HBO decided to bring the show back for a second season – with Meryl Streep in tow.

"The Undoing," in which Kidman plays a woman whose husband (Hugh Grant) is on trial for murder, also garnered solid critical acclaim when it debuted in 2020, pulling in a 75% approval rating with critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Kidman isn't stopping there, though. Fans can also catch her in the upcoming series she produced for Hulu, "Nine Perfect Strangers," alongside Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Luke Evans, Regina Hall and Melissa McCarthy. And in the not-too-distant future, she's also scheduled to star in the Apple TV+ female-forward anthology series "Roar" alongside actors like Cynthia Erivo, Merritt Wever and Alison Brie.

If you've ever doubted Nick Swardson's vocal talents, you need not look farther than "Just Go With It." He plays Sandler's onscreen cousin Eddie, who also moonlights as an international sheep shipper named Dolph Lundgren. Of course Swardson is also a bona fide member of Sandler's crew, having appeared alongside the actor for years, including movies like "Jack and Jill," "That's My Boy," and "The Do-Over."

Sandler-certified gigs aside, the comedian has also been busy with his stand-up over the past decade, as well as a slew of supporting gigs in movies like "Buddy Games," "The Wrong Missy," and "Deported." Last year he also got himself animated with the star-studded Netflix series "Hoops." The series also starred Ron Funches, Natasha Leggero, Cleo King and Jake Johnson, although it was unfortunately canceled after a single season.

More importantly, Swardson has spent the last couple of years getting sober. "If there was a vodka hall of fame, my jersey would be in the rafters," he explained to the Star Tribune in 2019. "My fans were kind of worried about me. They were posting online that I should dial it down a little. Not that I live and die by their comments, but I would look at pictures of me trashed at bars. I thought it was kind of funny for a while. But I looked horrible."

Bailee Madison was just 11 years old when she appeared as Aniston's daughter in "Just Go With It," but at the time one critic called her a "find" who was "bubbling with energy, wit and invention, a 40-year-old trapped in a child's body." That's high praise for a child actor to be sure, but Madison doesn't seem to have buckled under the pressure.

"My involvement in the industry is like an after-school activity for other kids," Madison told Your Teen. "My mom always says that the moment I change, the U-Haul truck is packed. It sounds like a joke but she means it."

Since then the star has done even more growing up, including turning 21 in quarantine. And on screen she's had the chance to play a variety of roles on TV series like "Trophy Wife" and "Once Upon A Time," where she played a young Snow White. Madison has also tackled a more grown-up role on "The Fosters" as Sophia Quinn, a young girl with a personality disorder, and let's not forget she played Grace Russell in "Good Witch" for several years before exiting in 2019.

In addition to celebrating a milestone birthday in 2021, Madison also made her debut in the Netflix camp musical "A Week Away." But that's not the first time she's been involved in the music scene. No one could forget her surprising participation in the 2019 music video for her friend Meghan Trainor's "All the Ways."

When Gluck scored the role of Aniston's onscreen son Michael in "Just Go With It," that marked his first real role (unless you count playing Mixed Bred on an episode of "The Office"). That year he also landed a gig on the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Private Practice," and two years later he appeared alongside James Caan and Maggie Lawson in the short-lived baseball comedy "Back in the Game."

That's just the start of notable names the soon-to-be 21-year-old has shared the screen with. He has also had gigs alongside Octavia Spencer ("Red Band Society") and Michael Chiklis and Cheryl Hines ("Cuoco"). This past year has been a big one for the actor, when he starred alongside Pete Davidson in Netflix's "Big Time Adolescence" as well as the first season of the streaming service's highly anticipated supernatural series "Locke and Key." In fact, heading into Season 2, it looks as though the actor is going to be smack in the middle of some major story twists thanks to the turn his character Gabe took at the end of Season 1.

"I gravitate towards those roles," Gluck explained to Salon. "I like the characters in stories who are real and grounded and are just naturally funny without trying too hard. Those are my favorite things because that's what I go through in my life, just being a teenager, being very funny and sad and just weird and awkward."

Most fans recognize Nealon from his days on "Saturday Night Live," but he too is also a long-time Sandler collaborator. Over the years he's popped up in several Sandler vehicles, including "Little Nicky," "Happy Gilmore," "Anger Management," and "Blended," usually in a smaller, guest-starring type role. In "Just Go With It," he was almost unrecognizable as Adon, the man with a little too much Botox. It sounds as though Nealon had fun with the gig, at least.

"It's always a humiliating role for me," Nealon once told The Toronto Sun about working with Sandler. "I'm usually some schlub. I had t**s on my head in (the demon comedy) 'Little Nicky,' I had horrible plastic surgery in 'Just Go With It.' I was the Neighborhood Watch guy in '(You Don't Mess with the) Zohan,' who kept crapping his pants because he was scared ... I've got to get to the bottom of this."

Humiliating gigs or not, Nealon has carried on with a pretty steady stream of work over his entire career. He's popped up in random movies ("Father of the Year," "Ghost Squad") and starred for four years on the now-canceled CBS sitcom "Man With a Plan" alongside Matt LeBlanc. These days he seems mostly busy getting into the Christmas spirit with the Hallmark Channel and its upcoming two-parter, "Christmas at the Madison," not to mention his ongoing voice work with the puppets-gone-wild series, "Crank Yankers." Fans also hope he does more "Hiking With Kevin" episodes in the near future as well, giving the people more fun hiking chats with all of the random celebs he's worked with (or met) over the years.

Brows went wild when this "SNL" alum popped in as one of Sandler's onscreen clients, Kirsten Brant, in "Just Go With It." Her wayward brows were part of one of the movie's more memorable scenes, even if her overall screen time was minimal. It seems like Dratch has always made the most of her time onscreen though, especially in the years following the film. From a recurring gig alongside fellow "SNL" graduate Tina Fey on "30 Rock" to guest appearances on "Inside Amy Schumer," to a part on Netflix's boozy female romp "Wine Country," Dratch has had a solid influx of work. These days she seems busier than ever, appearing as Wanda Jo on "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" and in Hulu's original film, "Plan B."

Of course fans can still catch her on "The $100,000 Pyramid," and they can look forward to the upcoming holidays, when she teams with Ana Gasteyer in the Christmas parody movie, "A Clüsterfünke Christmas." The duo write, executive produce, and star in the "celebratory parody of the corny and ubiquitous traditional TV movie holiday romance genre," recruiting Vella Lovell, Cheyenne Jackson and Mryan McParlin to help tell that satirical story in full.

In order to explain why Sandler's character had a penchant for picking up women by pretending to be married, "Just Go With It" flashed back to a scene involving Minka Kelly as a hot woman who bought his sordid tale of a wife who had disappeared. It was a small scene for Kelly who at the time was also helming a role in the short-lived "Charlie's Angels" TV series reboot and coming off a stint on NBC's "Parenthood." Since then she's had steady gigs, including a turn as Jackie Kennedy in "Lee Daniels' The Butler" and guest-starring roles in TV shows like "Jane the Virgin" and "Drunk History."

These days her main gig is in the Toronto-shot, DC Universe show "Titans" as Dawn Granger, a.k.a. the vigilante Dove. But she's also in the press more than she would probably like to be for her reportedly on-again, off-again relationship with "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah. "Look, if it's true and it's out, then it's true and it's out," Kelly said in 2016 when asked why she's so tight-lipped about her dating life. "When it's not true and it's out, it's really frustrating. You just have to find the comedy in all of it."

Or in other words, sometimes you have to "Just Go With It."