Julie Bowen Was Surprised By Her Return To Happy Gilmore 2 And Hints At Travis Kelce's Role

The talk around Happy Gilmore 2 has been buzzing, and one of the most exciting pieces of news is that Julie Bowen is coming back. She played Virginia Venit in the original 1996 movie, and it is hard to imagine a sequel without her. It seems even Julie herself was not sure she would be asked to return. She also gave us a little sneak peek into what we can expect from Travis Kelce’s cameo, which is already getting a lot of attention. It sounds like his appearance will be a big moment in the film.

Julie was at Netflix's Tudum event on May 31, and she told E! News that Travis Kelce’s cameo is going to be something special. She mentioned she has not seen it herself yet. "I did not act with him, so it’s gonna be a revelation to me as well," she said. But she quickly added, "But yes, I’m sure he can act." The Modern Family star made a good point that Travis, who is dating Taylor Swift, has plenty of practice in front of cameras. She reasoned that "He has to act all the time. When you’re that much in the public eye, he knows how to pull himself together." This makes a lot of sense. Being a top athlete with so many eyes on you probably does prepare you for a film set.

Julie, who was in the first movie with Adam Sandler, described the 35-year-old NFL player as "a together dude" with "a great sense of humor." This is pretty high praise, and it definitely makes me even more excited to see what he brings to the screen. It is cool to see a big sports star stepping into the comedy world, especially with a beloved movie like Happy Gilmore.

Julie Bowen's Unexpected Phone Call From Adam Sandler To Rejoin Happy Gilmore 2

The Actress Opens Up About Thinking She Would Not Return For The Highly Anticipated Sequel

Julie Bowen was "super psyched" for the sequel's release. She admitted that at first, she was not sure if she would be asked back to play Virginia Venit. She had heard the movie was happening but had not seen a script. So she thought, "I’m probably not in it. That’s OK." It sounds like she had already made peace with the idea of not being in it. But then, Adam Sandler called her directly to make it clear that her return was a sure thing. It must have been a happy surprise to get that call.

She recounted the funny conversation. "I said, ‘If this is to tell me I’m not in it, don’t worry. I love you. Don’t even give it a second thought,’" she explained. Adam Sandler's response was just as direct and humorous as you might expect from him. "He was like, ‘No, you idiot!’" This kind of playful banter sounds exactly like something Happy Gilmore and Virginia Venit would have in the movie. It is nice to see that the off-screen relationship between the actors seems to match the on-screen chemistry that fans remember. This kind of real friendship often translates into great performances.

Before she even got the official word about the sequel, Julie's own children had heard rumors online. Her now 18-year-old told her, "Mom, I hear they’re doing a sequel and he’s with Sydney Sweeney as a cart girl." Julie’s reaction was pretty funny. "I went, ‘I’m hurt and I so respect that move. Of course, why wouldn’t you?’" she told The Hollywood Reporter. So when she did get the call saying she was actually in it, she was surprised. "Are you sure? Come on," she remembers asking. It is clear that the idea of a new, younger love interest was definitely out there, but Adam Sandler wanted his original Virginia back.

Other Familiar Faces Are Also Returning For Happy Gilmore 2 To Recreate The Magic

Christopher McDonald Joins The Cast, Promising More Classic Showdowns And Fun

Julie Bowen is not the only original star coming back. Shooter McGavin himself, Christopher McDonald, is hitting the golf course once more. Fans will remember Shooter as Happy Gilmore's main rival, and his return means we can expect more of their classic rivalry. McDonald sounded excited about it. "What a great production it was," he told E! News. "When they told me, I was so happy. I might have leaked it out a little too early, but hey, they forgave me, which is nice." It sounds like the excitement is contagious among the cast, and that is always a good sign for a sequel.

The announcement that Christopher McDonald is returning confirms that the movie aims to bring back the fun and humor of the original. Their dynamic was a big part of what made the first film so memorable. Knowing that both Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald are back suggests that the writers want to keep the core spirit of the movie alive while also bringing in new elements. This balance is key for any sequel, especially one that comes out so many years after the original.

Besides these returning stars, Happy Gilmore 2 will also feature several new faces. Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, Travis Kelce, Kym Whitley, and Eminem are all part of the cast. Julie Bowen even joked about seeing Bad Bunny on set. She said "I was just like, 'Oh, I can't actually look you in the eye, I'm going to have to walk away,' and I did. I think he was offended and I had to circle back and now I made it worse." She added that she is the kind of person who does not want to meet her heroes because she thinks she will "just be a jackass." This mix of old favorites and fresh talent should give the movie a broad appeal and keep it exciting.

What Else Is Coming Out Soon From The World of Movies And Streaming?

A Look At Some Of The Other Highly Anticipated Films Heading To Theaters And Streaming Services

Happy Gilmore 2 begins streaming on Netflix on July 25. While we wait for that, there are many other movies coming out in the near future. This year and next look pretty packed with big releases across different genres. For example, Disney is giving us a live-action version of Lilo & Stitch on May 23, 2025. This reimagining of the 2002 animated classic will tell the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and a mischievous alien who helps fix her broken family. It will be in theaters.

Also coming out on May 23, 2025, is Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt for what might be the eighth and last installment of the action franchise. If you are into romantic comedies, Worth the Wait also streams on Tubi on May 23, 2025. It is a movie about multiple Asian-American strangers navigating love, loss, and destiny, starring Lana Condor and Ross Butler. For horror fans, Fear Street: Prom Queen streams on Netflix on May 23, 2025. It is based on R.L. Stine's novel and throws prom queens into an '80s slasher story.

Looking ahead, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is set for June 13, 2025. This will bring Hiccup and Toothless's adventures to life with advanced visual effects. On June 20, 2025, we will see 28 Years Later, a zombie sequel starring Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. For superhero fans, James Gunn is taking on the original superhero in the new DC universe with Superman on July 11, 2025. This movie stars David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It is going to be a busy time for movie watchers.

Reflecting On The Lasting Appeal Of Happy Gilmore And What The Sequel Promises

The Original's Enduring Popularity Makes The Second Film A Highly Anticipated Event

The original Happy Gilmore became a cult classic for a reason. Its blend of sports comedy, Adam Sandler's unique humor, and memorable characters resonated with many people. The idea of a hockey player trying to make it in golf was silly and fun. It also had a lot of heart. The film gave us iconic lines and moments that fans still quote today. This lasting popularity is probably a big reason why a sequel is finally happening after so many years.

The fact that Adam Sandler himself is leading the charge for the sequel, and bringing back beloved cast members, shows a dedication to what made the first movie special. It is not just about making a quick buck. It feels like a genuine effort to revisit characters and a story that means a lot to him and to fans. The inclusion of new, popular faces like Travis Kelce and Bad Bunny also hints that the movie wants to attract a new generation of viewers while keeping the original fans happy. This is a tough balance to strike, but if any film can do it, a Happy Gilmore sequel might be the one.

I am really looking forward to seeing how all these elements come together. Will Happy still be fighting with gators and old ladies? Will Shooter McGavin finally get what is coming to him? And how will Travis Kelce fit into this wild world of golf? We will all find out on July 25. It feels like a perfect summer movie, bringing back some much-needed laughs and nostalgia. It is exciting to think about what new funny moments and memorable lines this sequel will add to the Happy Gilmore legacy.