Julie Bowen Says She Thought a Younger Actress Would Replace Her in “Happy Gilmore 2”: 'Who Am I Supposed to Be?'

Julie Bowen ne'er expected to measurement backmost onto nan play people pinch Adam Sandler for Happy Gilmore 2.

The Emmy-winning actress, who played Sandler’s emotion liking successful nan original 1996 film, opened up connected nan Inside of You podcast astir her genuine astonishment astatine being asked to reprise her domiciled arsenic Virginia Venit successful nan highly anticipated Netflix sequel.

“I didn’t deliberation they’d bring maine backmost astatine all,” admitted Bowen, 55. “I mean, who americium I expected to be? He’s sewage to person a younger female successful this one, Happy Gilmore 2.”

The Modern Family alum explained that she assumed producers would spell successful a different guidance for nan sequel, casting a new, younger emotion liking for Sandler’s iconic character.

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And Bowen’s doubts aren’t new. She antecedently told The Hollywood Reporter that she thought Sandler’s Happy would person a “little bitty” cart woman by his broadside this clip around.

The thought wasn’t conscionable random speculation, arsenic her ain teenage son, Oliver, erstwhile told her he’d heard a rumor online that Sydney Sweeney would play nan caller romanticist lead.

“And I went, ‘I’m wounded and I truthful respect that move.’ Of course. Why wouldn’t you?” Bowen recalled.

In nan original 1996 comedy, Bowen’s Virginia was nan level-headed PR head who helped Happy (Sandler, 58) cleanable up his image connected nan pro-golf circuit and yet fell for his chaotic charm. 

The sequel’s trailer reveals that Virginia and Happy went connected to person a family together, but Bowen says her domiciled successful nan caller movie is brief.

Still, Sandler himself encouraged her to clasp her part. “Adam’s like, ‘Stop saying that. You’re nan bosom of nan movie,’ ” she shared connected nan podcast.

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Bowen besides reflected connected her first audition for Happy Gilmore 30 years ago, reference for nan domiciled alongside different women and emotion convinced nan filmmakers were looking for personification “aggressively sexy.” Instead, she landed nan portion and became a instrumentality favorite.

“I publication and they were relieved,” nan character shared. “They were visibly relieved. I go, ‘What’s going on?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, immoderate of these girls are conscionable truthful aggressively sexy.’ And I was like, ‘That’s a bad thing?’ "

Happy Gilmore 2 premieres July 25 connected Netflix.