Latest news with #VirginiaVenit
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julie Bowen Says Adam Sandler Refused to Recast the Romantic Lead for ‘Happy Gilmore 2': ‘You're the Heart of the Movie'
Julie Bowen is more than happy to be reprising one of her her roles 30 years later for the upcoming sequel 'Happy Gilmore 2.' Bowen starred in the 1996 original film as Virginia Venit, a representative for the professional golf tour that Adam Sandler's titular character joins on a whim. Virginia (Bowen) is also the romantic interest of Happy (Sandler). When it came to the long-awaited sequel, though, Bowen was shocked to be asked to return. 'I didn't think they'd bring me back at all,' Bowen said during the 'Inside of You' podcast, as reported by Variety. 'I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one, 'Happy Gilmore 2.'' More from IndieWire Scarlett Johansson Was Welcomed to the 'Jurassic World' Family by Bryce Dallas Howard with a 'Long Email' Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen Want to Help You Get Your Movie Made However, Sandler assured Bowen that Virginia is the 'heart of the movie' even though Bowen noted she has less screentime than in the first film. 'Adam's like, 'Stop saying that. You're the heart of the movie,'' the 'Modern Family' star said. Bowen previously reunited with Sandler for 2020 film 'Hubie Halloween' prior to 'Happy Gilmore 2.' Bowen continued that, even when she was cast in the first 'Happy Gilmore,' she didn't know if she was right to play Virginia. 'I read [for the role] and they were relieved,' she said. '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?'' 'Happy Gilmore 2' will also star original actor Christopher McDonald, with Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Kid Cudi, and Sandler's 'Uncut Gems' director Benny Safdie co-starring. Sandler cowrote 'Happy Gilmore 2' with Tim Herlihy, who also cowrote the original. 'Happy Gilmore 2' is directed by Kyle Newacheck ('Workaholics,' 'What We Do in the Shadows'), who also previously helmed Sandler's 2019 film 'Murder Mystery.' McDonald announced the sequel in 2024, saying during Audacy radio show '92.3 The Fan,' 'I saw Adam [Sandler] about two weeks ago, and he says to me, 'McDonald, you're going to love this.' I said, 'What?' He says, 'How about that,' and he shows me the first draft of 'Happy Gilmore 2.' … Fans demand it, dammit!' Mega-producer Sandler has a Netflix deal which has been extended twice. Sandler has produced films like 'Leo,' 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah,' 'Hustle,' and two 'Murder Mystery' movies for the streamer. 'Happy Gilmore 2' will start streaming on Netflix on Friday, July 25. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julie Bowen Thought ‘Happy Gilmore 2' Would Replace Her With a ‘Younger Woman': ‘I Didn't Think They'd Bring Me Back at All'
Julie Bowen was surprised when Netflix asked her to return for 'Happy Gilmore 2.' 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?
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Happy Gilmore 2 star Julie Bowen feared being replaced by 'younger woman'
Julie Bowen expected to be replaced by a "younger woman" in Happy Gilmore 2. The 55-year-old actress has reprised the role of Virginia Venit, Happy's love interest, in the long-awaited new movie - but Julie actually feared that she might've been replaced by a younger actress. During an appearance on the Inside of You podcast, Julie shared: "I didn't think they'd bring me back at all. "I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one, Happy Gilmore 2." Julie starred alongside Adam Sandler in the original Happy Gilmore movie, which premiered in 1996. But Julie wasn't confident that would be cast in the first film either. The actress recalled: "I read and they were relieved. 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?'" Julie previously revealed that she thought Sydney Sweeney was set to replace her in Happy Gilmore 2. The actress thought someone like Sydney was perfectly suited to replace her in the much-anticipate new comedy movie. Julie told The Hollywood Reporter: "I thought, 'Well I won't be in it'. And that was OK - it was like Virginia Venit, it's been 30 years, he's got a hottie. He's got some little bitty on the side, like a cart girl. "As a matter of fact my children told me, before I was even told officially that there was a 'Happy Gilmore' sequel, my now 18-year-old said, 'Mom, I hear they're doing a sequel and he's with Sydney Sweeney as a cart girl.'" Sydney, 27, was widely linked with a role in the new 'Happy Gilmore' movie - but Julie was pleasantly surprised to be offered a part in the sequel. The actress - who stars alongside in the new film alongside the likes of Margaret Qualley, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller - said: "I went, I'm hurt and I so respect that move. Of course, why wouldn't you? So when I got the call that I was actually in it, I was like, 'Are you sure? Come on.'"
Buzz Feed
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Julie Bowen Shocked When Cast In Happy Gilmore 2
Almost 30 years after Happy Gilmore premiered, news broke this weekend that the upcoming sequel is set to drop on Netflix on July 25. Of course, Adam Sandler plays the titular Happy in the fan-favourite comedy alongside Julie Bowen, who plays his love interest, Virginia Venit. While discussing the upcoming sequel, Julie, now 55, admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that she was totally shocked when she was asked to reprise her role. 'I thought, 'Well, I won't be in it,'' she said as she recalled first finding out that a sequel was being made. 'And that was OK — it was like Virginia Venit, it's been 30 years, he's got a hottie. He's got some little bitty on the side, like a cart girl,' she said, describing her assumptions of the kind of love interest Adam's character would have. 'As a matter of fact, my children told me, before I was even told officially that there was a Happy Gilmore sequel, my now 18-year-old said, 'Mom, I hear they're doing a sequel and he's with Sydney Sweeney as a cart girl,'' the Modern Family star shared. 'I went, I'm hurt, and I so respect that move. Of course, why wouldn't you? So when I got the call that I was actually in it, I was like, 'Are you sure? Come on,'' she added. Reacting to Julie's candid comments, several internet users couldn't help but comment on how 'sad' it is that she expected to not be cast because of her age. 'It's sad that this is the expectation, but it is realistic,' one person wrote. 'The way we all accept and internalize the discarding of older women is truly wild,' said another. Meanwhile, more fans went on to point out that Adam is known to cast his friends in multiple movies. He's also known to cast on-screen love interests who are of a similar age to him, with some notable examples including Drew Barrymore, 50, Jennifer Aniston, 56, and Bridgette Wilson, 51. Let me know what you think in the comments.
