Julie Bowen Thought ‘Happy Gilmore 2' Would Replace Her With a ‘Younger Woman': ‘I Didn't Think They'd Bring Me Back at All'
During a recent interview on the 'Inside of You' podcast, Bowen explained she was certain she'd be replaced as the love interest for Adam Sandler's titular golfer by a younger actress for the highly anticipated 'Happy Gilmore' sequel.
More from Variety
'Pulse,' 'The Residence' Canceled at Netflix After One Season Each
'Squid Game' Success Validates Netflix Korea's Local-First Philosophy, Says Content Chief Don Kang (EXCLUSIVE)
Netflix Veteran Raghav Khanna Wraps Cricket Doc 'Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story' (EXCLUSIVE)
'I didn't think they'd bring me back at all,' Bowen said. 'I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one, 'Happy Gilmore 2.''
In the 1996 original, Bowen played Virginia Venit, a rep for the professional golf tour Happy joins. She serves as his guide on how to act in the public eye, and eventually, she and Happy fall in love. Bowen is set to reprise the role in the Netflix follow-up alongside original cast members Sandler, Ben Stiller and Christopher McDonald.
Bowen went on to say that she wasn't confident she'd be in the first film either. She explained that at the time, she thought production would get a 'hot girl' to play the part.
'I read and they were relieved,' she added. 'They were visibly relieved. I go, 'What's going on?' They're like, 'Yeah, some of these girls are just so aggressively sexy.' And I was like, 'That's a bad thing?''
New cast members joining the 'Happy Gilmore' team include Margaret Qualley, Eric André, Sunny Sandler, Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Eminem and Travis Kelce.
Although she has yet to see the final cut, Bowen said she has less screentime in 'Happy Gilmore 2' than in the original. Even so, she said her co-star, Sandler, keeps encouraging her not to de-emphasize her importance.
She said, 'Adam's like, 'Stop saying that. You're the heart of the movie.''
'Happy Gilmore 2' releases on Netflix July 25.
Best of Variety
Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The hilarious lunch order that sums up firstborn vs. secondborn vibes
There are two types of girls in this world. One quietly orders her Wendy's salad with the precision of a tiny food critic: 'Um, a salad. It has, well, of course, lettuce, um and cheese, tomato… onion, and I believe that's it. And egg. Oh yeah, egg.' The other? Shouts her order with full-throttle confidence: 'CHICKEN, CHICKEN AND CHICKEN!' This viral TikTok from @shan040891, which has over 33 million views, is a funny family moment that highlights how kids develop their individuality and express their personalities, even in everyday moments like ordering lunch. The comment section exploded with joy and recognition. 'Perhaps a salad for the lady? Perhaps not? 'CHICKEN, CHICKEN , CHICKEN, CHICKEN' ,' wrote @KareNN. ' Definition of 1st daughter vs 2nd daughter ,' joked @Elise Fellerman. Related: Toddler gives viral crumpet order—and mom's calm response wins the internet Small choices, big growth Whether it's a meal, an outfit, or a bedtime story, when kids make choices, they're practicing autonomy, a vital skill for healthy development. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, encouraging independence early helps children build confidence, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills that will serve them for life. This video taps into familiar 'firstborn vs. secondborn' vibes, with the careful, detail-loving first child contrasted against the loud-and-proud second. These are playful stereotypes, though; every kid is different, shaped by temperament, environment, and how they're raised. Letting kids order their own food—even if it's a salad with seven ingredients or a chicken chant shouted six times—helps them know their choices and opinions matter. Related: Researchers find a little childhood independence can reduce kids' anxiety Celebrating each child's unique voice Kids come with all kinds of personalities. Some are quiet and thoughtful, others loud and full of energy. Trying to fit every child into the same 'well-behaved' mold means missing out on the unique ways they show who they really are. Birth order might influence some traits but doesn't tell the whole story. Every child is shaped by their own mix of temperament, experiences, and environment. When parents notice and appreciate these differences, even in small everyday moments, they help their kids feel truly seen and valued for who they are. How to nurture autonomy at home Offer daily choices: Whether it's what to wear or what snack to eat, simple options give kids a sense of control. Listen carefully: Show your child you respect their preferences, even if they don't match your own. Model confident communication: Speak clearly and kindly about your own feelings and choices. Accept imperfection: Learning independence is messy and involves plenty of mistakes — and that's okay. The bottom line As parents, the greatest gift we can give is space for children to find their own voices, whether loud, soft, detailed, or bold. It's in these imperfect, hilarious moments that their true personalities shine. Next time you're at the drive-thru, remember every order is more than just food; it's a step toward independence, identity, and self-assurance. And that's absolutely worth celebrating. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
21 minutes ago
- New York Post
Joe Exotic says he will die in prison unless Trump pardons him
Would-be killer and ex-'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic claims he is now riddled with cancer and will die in prison unless President Trump pardons him — insisting to The Post, 'I will not make it another five years.' The 62-year-old felon — who is in federal lockup in Fort Worth, Texas, for a murder-for-hire plot against his rival — said he fears he won't even make it to his parole eligibility in 2030 because his cancer tumors just keep growing. 'I'm not gonna make it. I'm gonna die,' the ex-Netflix star said in an exclusive phone interview Monday while serving a 21-year sentence for plotting to kill big-cat arch-rival Carole Baskin and for violating federal wildlife laws. Advertisement 5 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic told The Post he will likely die of cancer in prison — unless he is pardoned by President Trump. Netflix US/AFP via Getty Images 5 Exotic is serving a 21-year prison sentence for plotting to kill his rival Carole Baskin. Santa Rosa County Jail via AP, File 'My earliest out day right now is Oct. 30, 2030. And that's why I plead to President Trump so hard. … With the cancer that I have, let me get out and find some real medical care instead of the taxpayers paying for half-assed medical care. Advertisement 'Try going through that [chemo] for a year, puking your ass off by yourself in a concrete room,' he added. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, announced he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. The incarcerated former zookeeper now says the cancer has spread to his lungs — and doubled in size. 5 Exotic has been battling prostate cancer behind bars since 2021. AP Advertisement 5 Exotic is pleading with Trump to release him from prison so he can receive 'real medical care' for his cancer. Getty Images Exotic — who starred in Netflix's 2020 'Tiger King' true-crime series about his life and dark slide while caring for exotic big cats at his zoo in Oklahoma — insisted his health woes have only worsened due partly to the stress of his husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado, being deported to Mexico from the US earlier this year. 'I'm dealing with prostate cancer, lung cancer. I'm waiting for a [positron emission tomography] scan because I think the prostate cancer is in my ribs now,' Exotic said. 'And the stress of [Jorge] being in Mexico with nothing. He's living like a homeless person right now, and there's nothing I can do to help because I'm stuck in here.' Advertisement 5 Exotic's husband Jorge Flores Maldonado was deported to Mexico. Obtained by the New York Post The fallen star's migrant hubby was booted from the US by ICE in May after getting busted late last year for allegedly driving a car loaded with six other undocumented immigrants across the US-Mexican border. The pair met and fell in love while in prison when Maldonado was there on immigration raps. Exotic, betting Trump to step in and spring him early from the pokey, told The Post: 'Let me get up and pay my own bills and work and try and make it the next five years so I can bring Jorge back to America.' But he also suggested he has come to terms with the fact he'll likely die behind bars. 'I've already got my will done. So everything goes to Jorge so he can at least move on,' he said. 'I have nothing, absolutely nothing. So, you know at this point right now, I wish cancer would hurry up and take me before I have to endure five more years of hell in America.'
Geek Tyrant
21 minutes ago
- Geek Tyrant
THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Gives Mole Man a Surprising New Role in the MCU — GeekTyrant
Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps wastes no time diving into the team's beginnings, and it does so with an exciting nod to the comics. The movie opens with a montage of their origin story and their very first showdown with Mole Man. Spoilers ahead! In an epic moment straight out of classic Marvel lore, he sinks the Pan Am Building in Midtown Manhattan. The team, decked out in their blue-and-black costumes, eventually brings down Giganto and captures Harvey Elder, better known to comic fans as Mole Man. But this isn't the last time we see him. Later, it's revealed that Sue Storm has brokered a peace agreement between Subterranea and the surface world through her work with the United Nations. After the Silver Surfer drops his ominous warning, Harvey reappears, watching the team's press conference. In an unexpected twist, Sue invites him to the Baxter Building during the film's final act. With Galactus coming, and New York City in danger, the city needs to evacuate fast. Sue convinces Harvey to let millions take refuge in Subterranea, but not before a sharp exchange of words between him and the Human Torch, with Mister Fantastic delivering one of the film's more humorous lines by calling him 'Mole Man.' Once the city descends underground, Harvey steps into an almost heroic role, opening his subterranean world to the people of the surface, including Natasha Lyonne's character, Rachel Rozman. There were rumors of bigger arcs for both characters, but those plans were apparently trimmed down to keep this reboot under two hours. As for the so-called Moloids, Marvel took a grounded approach. Instead of the monstrous creatures from the comics, they're regular people who joined Harvey in building a life below New York. They wear mining gear and goggles that faintly resemble the big, bug-eyed look of their comic counterparts. It's a clever visual nod, though some fans might find it a little underwhelming. What's surprising is how the MCU flips the script on Mole Man. Rather than making him a one-note villain, the film portrays him as a reluctant ally, which I appreciated. This move adds a refreshing dynamic and sets up intriguing possibilities for the future. Plus, with name-drops like Wizard, the Mad Thinker, and Diablo sprinkled throughout the story, Marvel clearly has plenty of villains waiting in the wings. Whether we'll see more of Paul Walter Hauser as Mole Man remains to be seen, but his role here serves a very practical purpose. By sheltering New Yorkers underground during the Galactus battle, Marvel sidesteps any Man of Steel-style backlash over mass casualties. I liked how they handled Mole Man in the movie, and I hope that we get to see more of the character.
