Adam Sandler has grown up at least a little bit in the past three decades, and his “Happy Gilmore” co-star Julie Bowen has noticed the maturity in the long-awaited sequel now streaming on Netflix.
In the original 1996 film that became a cult comedy classic, Happy’s “happy place” featured love interest Virginia (Bowen) clad in white lingerie and double-fisting pitchers of beer, whilst his “bad place” showed Virginia in black lingerie canoodling with rival Shooter McGavin, played by Christopher McDonald.
Fast forward 29 years to “Happy Gilmore 2,” and Sandler, now 58, has included a self-aware moment where present-day Virginia shares screen time with her younger self, quipping to Happy that she “can’t believe” this was his happy place.
“I’m sorry,” Happy says in the updated scene, to which Virginia replies: “Oh, sweetie, don’t worry. I’m not here to judge your fantasies.”
Perfect Balance of Growth and Nostalgia
“When I read that he wanted to update it a little bit and comment on it, I wasn’t sure anybody even needed that,” Bowen, 55, reveals in a video chat alongside Sandler and McDonald. “I love that scene. I love it when it’s the bad place and Shooter grabs my (rear). I didn’t feel objectified. It was too much with the tongue, though.”
“Oh, sorry,” jokes McDonald, 70, who reprises his role as the finger-gun-wielding antagonist Shooter McGavin.
Filming the new scene felt “exactly right” to Bowen, though, “because Happy would have grown up, too,” she explains. The actress figures Sandler was making a subtle “love you” ode to his two daughters “as far as saying ‘Yes, maybe I was a little immature.’ But maybe I am really immature because I always liked that scene.”
Sandler adds: “Seeing you at this age talk to a young version, you still look phenomenal and you’re sweet as hell and people love you. It was nice to watch it.”
Return to the Links
In the sequel, co-written by Sandler and longtime collaborator Tim Herlihy, Happy has left golf behind following a tragic accident years ago. When he needs to raise £236,000 to send his daughter Vienna (played by Sandler’s real-life daughter Sunny) to a prestigious ballet school in Paris, Happy returns to the links.
There he encounters old pal-turned-rival Shooter and his celebratory finger guns once again. Happy also finds himself fighting to save traditional golf when an energy drink mogul played by Benny Safdie tries to popularise a more extreme version of the sport.
Director Kyle Newacheck (“Murder Mystery”) helms the sequel, which features an impressive roster of returning cast members including Ben Stiller reprising his uncredited role as abusive orderly Hal, alongside newcomers Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and Margaret Qualley.
Bowen’s Surprise Return
In a recent appearance on the “Inside of You” podcast, Bowen revealed she was shocked to be asked back for the sequel, initially assuming they’d cast someone younger.
“I didn’t think they’d bring me back at all,” she admitted. “I mean, who am I supposed to be? He’s got to have a younger woman in this one, ‘Happy Gilmore 2.'”
The “Modern Family” star explained she had similar doubts about landing the original role in 1996, recalling how casting directors were “visibly relieved” when she auditioned because “some of these girls are just so aggressively sexy.”
Legacy of a Comedy Classic
The original “Happy Gilmore” was produced on a modest £9.4 million budget and went on to earn £32.4 million at the box office, becoming one of the most beloved comedies of the ’90s. The film not only codified the hockey-style swing as a mainstay on golf courses but also launched countless quotable lines that fans still recite today.
“I eat pieces of sh-t like you for breakfast!” “The price is wrong, bitch!” and “It’s all in the hips” became part of the cultural lexicon, whilst the Bob Barker fight scene remains one of Sandler’s most memorable moments on film.
McDonald, who initially turned down the role of Shooter McGavin twice because he was tired of playing villains, told Audacy radio show “92.3 The Fan” that Sandler showed him the sequel script earlier this year, saying “McDonald, you’re going to love this.”
Dedicated to Lost Friends
The sequel, which premiered at Lincoln Center in New York on 21 July before its Netflix release, is dedicated to several cast members from the original who have since passed away: Bob Barker, Carl Weathers (Chubbs), Frances Bay (Grandma), Richard Kiel (Mr Larson), and Joe Flaherty (Donald).
Professional golfers including John Daly, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau make cameos alongside athletes and musicians, creating what Newacheck calls a “timely” return that capitalises on golf’s recent surge in popularity.
“Adam’s very aware of his characters and very aware of the culture,” Newacheck tells Netflix’s Tudum. “There’s been a wave of golf [popularity], so it feels like the movie is timely, just like it did in ’96.”
As the OG “Happy Gilmore” trio continue their freewheeling reunion tour, one thing is clear: whilst Happy may have grown up a bit, the heart of what made the original special remains intact – even if his happy place has evolved with the times.
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