Julie Bowen and director Kyle Newacheck discuss the controversial decision to kill off Virginia Venit in Happy Gilmore 2, explaining why it was crucial for Happy's story arc.

This story discusses major plot developments in “Happy Gilmore 2,” currently streaming on Netflix. “Happy Gilmore” fans got quite the shock when Adam Sandler’s long-awaited sequel finally hit Netflix over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Sandler and Bowen reacted to Bowen’s shocking “Happy Gilmore 2” death during an interview with Entertainment Weekly published shortly after the movie’s release. The “Modern Family” star suggested that her character needed to die to drive Happy and the events of the film.

Director Kyle Newacheck has shared his initial reaction to the surprising plot development at the start of Happy Gilmore 2, which premiered on Netflix on July 25. Speaking to PEOPLE, Newacheck revealed he was unaware of the major storyline involving Julie Bowen’s character, Virginia Venit, until reading the completed screenplay.

Anticipation for the long-awaited comedy is high, and the original Happy Gilmore has been trending on Netflix ahead of its release. Julie Bowen returning as Virginia proved to fans that the spirit of the first movie would continue, and I can tell you there are countless references and easter eggs to the first one.

The Emmy winner spoke with PEOPLE exclusively about reprising her role as Virginia Venit in the 'Happy Gilmore' sequel, nearly 30 years after the original

Fans got pretty emotional this weekend, after Adam Sandler included a subtle homage to his former onscreen son

Philip Fine Schneider (no, he's not related to Sandler pal Rob Schneider) makes his onscreen debut in Happy Gilmore 2 as Bobby Gilmore, the third son of Happy and Virginia. Before landing the role, Schneider was playing none other than Hamlet in a 2023 college production of the Shakespeare tragedy at Yale University.