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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, Julie Bowen's character dies early in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’. She is hit by a golf ball on Mother's Day, from a shot hit by Happy, and dies.

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.

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.

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