Quentin Tarantino Confirms Adam Sandler Was 'Inglourious Basterds' Top Pick: 'I Wrote The Jew Bear for Sandler'

Quentin Tarantino confirmed a longtime rumor about Adam Sandler and "Inglourious Basterds" during his last appearance on That of Bill Maher. Joined by host Maher and co-interviewer Judd Apatow, Tarantino eventually went public that he had written the role of Sergeant Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz for Sandler. Apatow had already locked Sandler in on the set of "Funny People," meaning Tarantino's Sandler dream never came true.

"[Judd and I] met through Adam Sandler back when I did 'Little Nicky," Tarantino said, referencing his appearance in Sandler's 2000 comedy. "I was like hanging out with that team for a while. We went to a bunch of different things together. But also 'Freaks and Geeks' had just gone off air or it was about to go off air and I missed it, but that whole 'Happy Madison' crowd was mad about it."

"I feel bad because when I did 'Funny People' with Sandler, I didn't didn't know that was exactly when you were trying to use it for 'Inglorious Basterds', Apatow interrupted.

"Obviously he should have done yours because of all that," Tarantino replied . “I mean, you start with the fucking videotape of you when you were kids. But yeah, the Bear Jew was going… I wrote the Bear Jew for Adam Sandler. When I was doing “Little Nicky,” he was like, “Oh man, can I beat Nazis with a bat? Fucking scenario! Damn awesome! I can't fucking wait! I fucking can't wait!" He said to all the Jews, "I'm gonna play this fucking guy who beats Nazis with a fucking bat."

Tarantino and Apatow were looking to film their movies at exactly the same time, and Apatow had already asked Sandler to agree to star in "Funny People" a year and a half before production began. Sandler couldn't star in 'Inglourious Basterds,' but finding a replacement wasn't so easy for Tarantino.

“Here is the problem. [Judd] packed all the good Jews [for 'Funny People'],” Tarantino said. “That was the problem. Seth Rogen and all the good Jews were doing "Funny People". I kill Hitler with baseball bats and there are no good Jews available! David Krumholtz, nobody! All the good Jews were all wrapped up! I'm doing the Jewish male fantasy!"

Tarantino eventually gave the role to his longtime friend Eli Roth. Maher's with Tarantino and Apatow will be available on December 18.

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