How long is too long to wait to make a sequel? As long as the filmmakers have a workable idea that justifies getting the gang back together, there’s no such thing as “too long.” Eddie Murphy recently gave a clinic to this notion when he followed up the poor “Coming 2 America” (made 33 years after the beloved original) with the thoroughly entertaining “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (which came out 40 years after the first film). Fans will always be happy with what they’ve already gotten, but if you can give them a second chance that doesn’t ruin everything they loved about the original, they’ll happily spend their money.
Adam Sandler has made several sequels of his own, but he has yet to remake one of his films that wasn’t a total dud. So he’s in new territory with “Happy Gilmore 2,” which will bring back the power-hitting pro golfer whose success on the links saved his grandmother from an old-age home that was secretly operating as a sweatshop. To many, “Happy Gilmore” is Sandler’s “Citizen Kane” (at least of his pure comedies), so it’s an unusual commercial risk for the comedy superstar.
Does he have any great ideas? We have no idea. We really don’t know anything. But thanks to some fun banter The Today ShowWe know what happened to Happy’s relationship with pro golf publicist Virginia Venit.
Happy and Virginia are still together in Happy Gilmore 2
Julie Bowen had made a few television appearances in the 1990s, but she had never appeared in a feature film before playing the spunky Venit, who sees tremendous marketing potential in Happy’s boisterous approach to the notorious game of golf. Bowen became a major television star as Claire Dunphy on ABC’s “Modern Family,” but “Happy Gilmore” holds a special place in her heart.
After confirming to Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager that she’s sworn to keep everything related to “Happy Gilmore 2” a secret, Hager casually asked if Virginia and Happy are still together. “Yeah, we’re very much still together,” Bowen replied. Hager teased Bowen about dropping the spoiler, but Bowen didn’t buy into it. “Is that bad?” she asked. “No. That … you can say that … I think I’m allowed to say that!”
And if he’s not allowed to say so, maybe we’ll bring you some news about the recasting of “Happy Gilmore 2” in the coming days.
As for whether “Happy Gilmore 2” will be worth all that effort, we’ll find out when the movie, which began shooting this week, hits Netflix next year.
