In May 2024, Netflix announced the sequel to the 1996 sports comedy “Happy Gilmore,” starring Adam Sandler — but Julie Bowen figured her role as Virginia Venit, Happy’s love interest, had long since been retired to the clubhouse.

The modern Happy Gilmore family is back. Julie Bowen is shocked that she’s making her return as Virginia Venit in “Happy Gilmore 2.” “I didn’t think they’d bring me back at all,” the actress, 55, revealed to Michael Rosenbaum on Tuesday’s episode of his “Inside of You” podcast.

"I didn't think they'd bring me back at all," Bowen said on the most recent episode of the Inside of You podcast. "I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one, Happy Gilmore 2 ."