Adam Sandler isn’t the only original actor returning in Netflix’sHappy Gilmore 2, withJulie Bowen’s confirmed role in the upcoming movieavoiding a problem that has plagued other recent legacy sequels and reboots. Still regarded as one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, the 1996 sports comedyHappy Gilmorehas developed a cult following over the years due to the enduring love for the titular hockey-player-turned-pro-golfer. As such, it was a welcome surprise to hear thatHappy Gilmore 2was finally happening at Netflix, bringing back Sandler, a few original actors, and more of his acting troupe for the cast.
WhileHappy Gilmore 2’s story is still under wraps, some important character details have already been disclosed surrounding those returning for the sequel. Joining Happy in the new follow-up is Julie Bowen’s Virginia Venit, the public relations director for the pro golf tour inHappy Gilmorewho ultimately falls in love with the titular character.Happy Gilmore 2could have easily happened by simply bringing back Sandler and ignoring many of the characters and open-ended storylines from the original, butBowen’s return, specifically, reveals that the new movie is going in a different direction from many other contemporary legacy sequels.
Julie Bowen’s Virginia Returns In Happy Gilmore 2 - And They’re Still Together
Happy & Virginia Are Still “Very Much Together” In Happy Gilmore 2
Shortly after the news broke that she would be reprising her role as Virginia in the long-awaited sequel, Julie Bowen recently revealed in an interview thatHappy and Virginia are still a couple inHappy Gilmore 2. While she wasn’t able to share any other details about her character’s story or what the overall plot will be centered around,Bowen stated that “[Happy and Virginia] are very much together.”This could be interpreted as meaning that Happy and Virginia got married and potentially even had kids together afterHappy Gilmore’s ending, perhaps ushering in the new hockey-style golfer generation.
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Happy and Virginia had only just become an official couple at the end of the 1996 movie, as the film concluded with the pair going to his grandmother’s house to celebrate his victory. Therefore, plenty of relationship developments have occurred off-screen over the past 28 years since the first movie, meaningHappy Gilmore 2will have to spend a good chunk of time playing catch-up on the happy couple. Happy and Virginia being together also begs the question of how involved the two still are in the pro golf world and whether they have professionally joined forces on the tour.
Hubie Halloweenhighlighted that Sandler and Bowen still have great on-screen chemistry after decades apart.
Bowen and Sandler collaborated for the first time sinceHappy Gilmorein Netflix’s 2020 horror-comedyHubie Halloween, which similarly saw the actors play romantic interests. It’s a relief to see the duo back together inHappy Gilmore 2still playing a couple, especially sinceHubie Halloweenhighlighted that Sandler and Bowen still have great on-screen chemistry after decades apart. With Bowen commenting that Happy and Virginia are “very much” still together, it can also beexpected that the sequel is avoiding any will-they-won’t-they dramaover the state of the couple’s romance.
Virginia’s Return Avoids A Sequel Problem For Happy Gilmore 2
Happy Gilmore 2 Avoids The Problem Of Removing The Original Love Interest
While it may not have too big of an impact on the movie’s plot, it’s quitecommon for legacy sequels to ignore the main character’s romantic interest from the original movie. Whether that involves writing them out, killing them off, or generally ignoring their importance to the first movie’s story and character arcs, the love interests of original movies often draw the short end of the stick. This has been the case for numerous legacy sequels over the years, ranging from 2022’sTop Gun: Maverickto 2006’sRocky Balboa:
When there’s a long delay between two films, it’s not uncommon for the sequel to want to take a character’s romance in a new direction, which often means writing out the original love interest or bringing them back but broken up. Thankfully, this isn’t the case for Virginia and Happy inHappy Gilmore 2, despite nearly 30 years having passed since the first movie. This feels like a more honest continuation of Happy’s story, giving him fresh conflicts rather than rehashing another will-they-won’t-they dynamic or having him fall in love with someone else working on the pro golf tour.
Splitting up Happy and Virginia wouldn’t necessarily ruinHappy Gilmore 2, but it fits better for the couple to still be together. Unlike some of the aforementioned sequels that break up the original couple in one way or another,Happy Gilmoreis a feel-good, lighthearted comedy that doesn’t require some big break-up or dramatic twistfor the main character. It’s relieving to learn that Happy and Virginia made their romance work over the past 30 years rather than hearing the disappointing news that they split shortly after the tour or got married and divorced.
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This way,Happy Gilmore 2avoids having to dedicate time to explaining what happened to Virginia and why it didn’t work between her and Happy. Rather, their story continues on, and her happy presence feels like a more proper upbeat return to the bizarre golf world ofHappy Gilmore. Bowen was crucial to the story and character dynamics of the 1996 movie, and withso many other original characters who Happy loved being unable to return inHappy Gilmore 2, such asCarl Weathers’ Chubbsand Frances Bay’s Grandma Gilmore, Virginia’s role becomes all the more impactful in the sequel.
Happy Gilmore’s Chubbs actor Carl Weathers passed away in 2024 and Grandma Gilmore actress Frances Bay passed away in 2011.
What Happy & Virginia’s Story Could Be In Happy Gilmore 2
Happy & Virginia Could Continue The Hockey/Golfer Story With A New Generation
It’sunclear whether Happy Gilmore will still be an active golfer when he returns in the Netflix sequel. However, it’s likely that he’ll be involved in either the hockey or golf world in some capacity. Virginia served as the public relations director inHappy Gilmore, so she’s likely still working in the communications and media side of pro golf tours, potentially even for the PGA. Meanwhile, Happy could turn out to now be a hockey or golf coach, perhaps teaching hockey players how they can use their skills to perform will on the golf course.
Happy Gilmore 2’s story could involve Happy and Virginia’s son or daughter trying to become a golfer, bringing the couple back into the competitive world for the sequel.
Since Happy and Virginia are still together, the upcomingAdam Sandler comedy moviewill more than likely see the couple have kids. If so,Happy Gilmore 2’s storycould involve Happy and Virginia’s son or daughter trying to become a golfer, bringing the couple back into the competitive world for the sequel. Or, perhaps the couple has a kid who fulfilled Happy’s dreams of becoming a professional hockey player, providing the opportunity forHappy Gilmore 2to integrate more hockey elements into Happy’s professional golf career.
Who Else Is Returning For Happy Gilmore 2?
Happy & Virginia Aren’t The Only Returning Characters
So far, there are only three original actors confirmed to return inHappy Gilmore 2. The actors reprising their roles are Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore, Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit, andChristopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, the original movie’s golf villain. While unconfirmed, it’s possible thatoriginalHappy Gilmorecharacterslike Ben Stiller’s nurse Hal L., Allen Covert’s caddy Otto, and Kevin Nealon’s golfer Gar Potter could return.
Shooter McGavin
Christopher McDonald
In addition to the returning actors, a few new cast members have already been confirmed forHappy Gilmore 2. NFL playerTravis Kelce, singer Bad Bunny,Uncut Gemsdirector Benny Safdie, and frequent Adam Sandler collaborator Nick Swardson are confirmed to appear. Continuing the originalHappy Gilmoremovie’s celebrity and athlete cameofeature,Happy Gilmore 2is also bringing on some real professional golfers for roles in the sequel, though Sandler has yet to confirm which players.
Happy Gilmore 2
Cast
Happy Gilmore 2 sees the return of Adam Sandler in his iconic role as the retired golfer who steps back onto the green to support his daughter’s passion for ballet. Released in 2025, the film explores Gilmore’s renewed journey in golf to finance her dreams.
Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore is a sports comedy that sees the titular Happy adjust to the world of Golf after failing to make it into Hockey. When he finds that his grandmother is nearly about to lose her home, Happy is discovered by a pro golfer who promises to train him to be one of the best after seeing his otherworldly slapshot. What follows is a new take on golf that completely upends the sport by turning it into a hilarious and chaotic spectator sport as this former short-tempered hockey player jumps into the world of professional golf.
