Sandler and co-writer Tim Herlihy tell The Hollywood Reporter about the response to the film, the possibility of more sequels for the star's movies after the success of this latest Netflix feature: "This throws it open.

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.

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.

Viewers might be pretty shocked when, four minutes into Happy Gilmore 2, Julie Bowen's Virginia Venit is killed after being hit in the head by one of Happy's, played by Adam Sandler, golf balls. "When I found out that I was killed on page 12,

Julie Bowen revealed her initial thoughts upon first learning of her character's shocking storyline in Happy Gilmore 2 when speaking with PEOPLE exclusively ahead of the sequel's July 25 premiere on Netflix.

Happy Gilmore 2 just dropped on Netflix, and while it’s probably not going to win any Oscars, most fans seem to be really pleased with the sequel, me included. It’s a goofy good time with some big laughs and a ton of cameos and returning characters. It also includes one big WTF death scene that left me and the actress involved absolutely shocked.

Richard Kiel, an iconic Bond villain who portrayed a giant Happy Gilmore fan who intimidates rival Shooter McGavin in the first film, is honored by having his character's son appear in the sequel. Kiel died at 74 in 2014.

Bowen, 55, has looked back on her upbringing with a real estate developer father who taught her a "golden rule" about success.

"Happy Gilmore 2" director Kyle Newacheck defended the decision to kill off Virginia, telling /Film: "There's always a concern when you're playing with that type of darkness. But I don't know, I was never really concerned because it is the driving force [of the film]. If you pull that out, then what do you have? You don't have anything real."