Adam Sandler and Kathy Bates starred together in the iconic 1998 film, The Waterboy, which remains a cult classic to date. However, what most fans do not know is that Bates nearly passed on this iconic role. Sandler revealed in his recent appearance at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival that when Bates read the script for the first time, she “threw it in the garbage.”

Adam Sandler recalls how Kathy Bates reacted to The Waterboy script

Adam Sandler was recently honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. During this appearance, Sandler spoke about one of his most iconic films of all time, The Waterboy.

The Uncut Gems star noted that the veteran Kathy Bates had nearly passed on the script and even threw it in the garbage when she first read it. “I remember we sent Kathy Bates the script for The Waterboy to play my Mama. I don’t know if I have the story 100% right, but apparently she kind of read the first page and went [shrugs] threw it in the garbage,” Sandler told Leonard Maltin at the awards (via PEOPLE).

But thankfully, there was an unexpected intervention. “The guy who works with Kathy, picked it up and read it and said, ‘Kathy, I think you should read that script. It’s pretty funny,’” Sandler revealed.

Bates ended up giving it another read and finally decided to “give it a shot.”

From there on, Sandler and Bates had a great time moving forward, and the Fried Green Tomatoes actress finally decided to play Mama Boucher.

“We’re very close,” Sandler revealed, “I love her very much.” Sandler further revealed that whenever he has a serious role upcoming, Bates joins to encourage him.

This went on to become a career-defining role for both of them. Meanwhile, Waterboy remains a cult classic that has engaged generations of fans.