Drew Barrymore Says50 First DatesWas Originally a 'Drama Set in Seattle' — with a Different Ending (and Title!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in50 First Dates(2004).Photo:Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

50 First Datescould have looked a lot different.AsDrew Barrymorerevealed earlier this week on her eponymous daytime talk show, her 2004 romantic comedy costarringAdam Sandlerwas not only originally titled50 First Kisses, but also was “a drama set in Seattle.“But as fans know, the movie that ended up coming to fruition took place in Hawaii and starred Barrymore, 49, as Lucy, a woman with consistent short-term memory loss who falls in love with a marine veterinarian named Henry (Sandler, 57) and vice versa.At the end of50 First Dates, Henry embarks on wooing Lucy every single morning in a taped video he makes her to remind her of who he is and what they are to each other, after some time has passed and they have welcomed a child together.But “the original ending,” Barrymoresaid on her show, “was [Lucy telling Henry], ‘You should go and live your life, because this is no life here.’ “Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Drew Barrymore in50 First Dates(2004).Darren Michaels/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock"And [Henry] goes away, as he does, and he comes back and he walks into the restaurant and he just sits down and says, ‘Hi, I’m Henry.’ And the film ends,” she added.Looking flabbergasted, Barrymore’s co-hostRoss Mathewstold her, “Honestly, can I just tell you: Thank you. Thank you for changing it.“50 First Datesmarked the second movie project for Sandler and Barrymore, who also played love interests in 1998’sThe Wedding Singerand 2014’sBlended —and they have both expressed interest in someday working together again.While discussing their onscreen chemistry in March 2023, Barrymore told PEOPLE that their bond is “allbased in like, love, admiration and humor.““I wanted some place to put my admiration and I thought a film was the most safe and cathartic place to do it,” she added of her working relationship with Sandler.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in New York City on Oct. 26, 2022.Craig Barritt/GettyBarrymore explored the idea of a50 First Datessequel on her show in December 2023, while chatting withJason Momoaamid the release of his movieAquaman and the Lost Kingdom.After Momoa, 45, asked the actress if she has a favorite comedy she has starred in, Barrymore said, “Well, I was thinking particularly50 First Dates,” before asking her guest, “If you were to do a romantic comedy … is there a rom-com you would ever remake?”“Yeah, maybe50 More Dates,” theGame of Thronesalum responded, leading the host to bashfully drop her jaw and flip her hair, with Momoa mimicking her.He then playfully added, “You need tocome back to the islands and meet a Hawaiian man.”“I would do that. Of course, are you kidding?” Barrymore said.

50 First Datescould have looked a lot different.

AsDrew Barrymorerevealed earlier this week on her eponymous daytime talk show, her 2004 romantic comedy costarringAdam Sandlerwas not only originally titled50 First Kisses, but also was “a drama set in Seattle.”

But as fans know, the movie that ended up coming to fruition took place in Hawaii and starred Barrymore, 49, as Lucy, a woman with consistent short-term memory loss who falls in love with a marine veterinarian named Henry (Sandler, 57) and vice versa.

At the end of50 First Dates, Henry embarks on wooing Lucy every single morning in a taped video he makes her to remind her of who he is and what they are to each other, after some time has passed and they have welcomed a child together.

But “the original ending,” Barrymoresaid on her show, “was [Lucy telling Henry], ‘You should go and live your life, because this is no life here.’ "

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Drew Barrymore in50 First Dates(2004).Darren Michaels/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Darren Michaels/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

“And [Henry] goes away, as he does, and he comes back and he walks into the restaurant and he just sits down and says, ‘Hi, I’m Henry.’ And the film ends,” she added.

Looking flabbergasted, Barrymore’s co-hostRoss Mathewstold her, “Honestly, can I just tell you: Thank you. Thank you for changing it.”

50 First Datesmarked the second movie project for Sandler and Barrymore, who also played love interests in 1998’sThe Wedding Singerand 2014’sBlended —and they have both expressed interest in someday working together again.

While discussing their onscreen chemistry in March 2023, Barrymore told PEOPLE that their bond is “allbased in like, love, admiration and humor.”

“I wanted some place to put my admiration and I thought a film was the most safe and cathartic place to do it,” she added of her working relationship with Sandler.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in New York City on Oct. 26, 2022.Craig Barritt/Getty

Craig Barritt/Getty

Barrymore explored the idea of a50 First Datessequel on her show in December 2023, while chatting withJason Momoaamid the release of his movieAquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

After Momoa, 45, asked the actress if she has a favorite comedy she has starred in, Barrymore said, “Well, I was thinking particularly50 First Dates,” before asking her guest, “If you were to do a romantic comedy … is there a rom-com you would ever remake?”

“Yeah, maybe50 More Dates,” theGame of Thronesalum responded, leading the host to bashfully drop her jaw and flip her hair, with Momoa mimicking her.

He then playfully added, “You need tocome back to the islands and meet a Hawaiian man.”

“I would do that. Of course, are you kidding?” Barrymore said.

source: people.com