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.

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.

Although she has yet to see the final cut, Bowen said she has less screentime in “Happy Gilmore 2” than in the original. Even so, she said her co-star, Sandler, keeps encouraging her not to de-emphasize her importance.