Happy Gilmore 2 Kills Beloved Character in Opening Scene
Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 opens by unexpectedly killing off Virginia Venit, played by Julie Bowen, in the first four minutes.
Jordan Collins here, ready to break down this dramatic twist since you probably need someone to explain why your favorite character was dispatched so abruptly.
In the sequel to the 1996 cult comedy, Adam Sandler’s unorthodox golf pro narrates how he and Virginia Venit not only tied the knot but also welcomed five children, including Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny. The idyllic update crashes to a halt when Happy’s errant golf ball strikes Virginia in the head, instantly rewriting the franchise’s tone from slapstick to unexpectedly tragic.
That single moment leaves Happy as an unexpected single dad of four sons and one daughter, prompting him to hang up his clubs and retreat from professional golf. Despite her character’s lightning-fast exit, Julie Bowen does pop back in Happy’s mental “happy place,” offering cheeky pep talks and urging him to forgive himself for the accident.
Beyond Sandler and Bowen, Christopher McDonald reprises his role as Shooter McGavin, while modern stars Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and Post Malone join the fairway festivities. The cast list reads like chart-topping artists and sports icons at once, blending Hollywood comedy with real-life athletic cameos from golf legends John Daly, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Sequel fans will also notice heartfelt nods to the late Carl Weathers, who played mentor Chubbs in the original film. In an exclusive with E! News, Sandler revealed he and his team had drafted an entire storyline for Weathers and his son before the actor’s 2024 passing. The movie honors Chubbs through Happy reading his old golf tips and reminiscing on the advice that originally helped perfect his swing.
Memorial tributes don’t stop there. Bob Barker returns as a video game avatar reenacting his original fistfight with Happy, and the legacy of Richard “Gentle Giant” Kiel lives on via his character’s on-screen son, proudly cheering from the stands. “Everybody from the first one we try to give love to,” Sandler told E! News, underscoring the sequel’s balance of fresh faces and nostalgic warmth.
While Happy Gilmore 2 streams now on Netflix, audiences can also look ahead to summer blockbusters like Jurassic World Rebirth on July 2, 2025, featuring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, The Old Guard 2 with Charlize Theron’s immortal warriors, the world leader comedy Heads of State starring John Cena and Idris Elba, and James Gunn’s newly imagined Superman dropping July 11, 2025.
Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
