Adam Sandler shares surprising introduction to Paul Thomas Anderson by Tom Cruise

Adam Sandler mentioned that Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed him in the acclaimed Punch Drunk Love, was introduced to him by Tom Cruise.

Sandler recounted the experience during a live discussion with film critic Leonard Maltin at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday (February 5).

“I'm not a hundred percent sure, but back then, I was filming [2000’s] Little Nicky… I was on set,” Sandler, 59, reminisced about how he met Anderson, who wasn't known to him at the time.

“I received a phone call. I had met Tom Cruise a couple of times. I got a phone call. My friend Jonathan, who's here tonight, said, ‘Tom Cruise is calling for you.’ I answered, ‘Oh, okay.’ When I said, ‘Hello?’ [Cruise] said, ‘Adam, I'm here with a friend. He's a really wonderful director.’ ”

“[Cruise] continued, ‘He wrote a film for you and wants to speak with you.’ I replied, ‘Right now?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘I'm working on a film right now.’ He then said, ‘He'll be brief.’ So I agreed. Then, Paul came on the line, saying, ‘Hi, I just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your films.’ I replied, ‘Wow, that's great. Thanks.’ He then mentioned, ‘And I wrote a script for you. I think it's quite good. Would you mind if I brought it over for you to read?’ ”

“And I said, 'Sure, any time.' And that was the beginning,” he added.

Sandler mentioned that he went to watch the 1999 film Magnolia, created by Anderson, who also created the 2026 Oscar contender One Battle After Another.

“I was at the front eating popcorn by myself and I thought, ‘This director wants to cast me?’ I was thrilled and called him. I said, ‘Where’s that script you mentioned? Bring it over!’ ” he shared.

Sandler continued to explain his experience working with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in what has become a cult classic.

He concluded, “We'd wander around and improvise scenes, approaching them from various angles. On filming day, we kept to ourselves, stayed focused, and when Paul called action, we gave it our all and really felt the moment.”

“I am immensely proud to have worked with Phil. He was a wonderful person and one of the most talented actors of our time,” he said.