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.

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.

The opening minutes of the long-awaited Happy Gilmore sequel reveal a legacy character has been shockingly killed off.

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.

Leave it to Adam Sandler to pull off a major twist no one saw coming. Nearly 20 years after the release of Happy Gilmore, Sandler and many familiar faces returned for Happy Gilmore 2, which premiered July 25 on Netflix.

Bowen reprises her character, Virginia Venit, in the comedy classic's second installment. Within the first four minutes of the film, Venit — who's since married Happy, welcomed five kids together and started a family — gets killed off, a tragedy caused by her husband.

Happy Gilmore is back for Happy Gilmore 2, but this isn’t just another goofy golf match. Nearly 30 years after he first swung a club and punched out Bob Barker, Adam Sandler’s legendary underdog returns in Happy Gilmore 2, and this time, it hits a whole lot harder.

After dropping Vienna off at the airport, Happy looks up at the sky and sees Virginia (as well as Bob Barker) once again. “You’re okay,” she says, and he mouths a kiss to his dead wife. Happy’s finally ready to move forward with his life, golf clubs and all.

As far as legacy comedy sequels go, Happy Gilmore 2 impressively has the comedic stuff to be worthy of its predecessor.