“The price is wrong, b***h!” It’s one of the most iconic lines from the 1996 comedy classic, “Happy Gilmore.” Delivered by Adam Sandler during an unforgettable brawl with Bob Barker, the legendary host of “The Price is Right,” the scene remains a fan favorite to this day. Barker, who passed away last year at the age of 99, was one of only two major cameos in the original film—adding to its charm and simplicity.
The other cameo was Ben Stiller as Hal L., the mean-spirited nursing home orderly who delighted in mistreating Happy’s sweet grandmother. Apologies to Lee Trevino, the golf Hall of Famer with six major championships, but he mostly served as a humorous background presence and never had direct interactions with the main cast.
Now, as the long-awaited sequel, “Happy Gilmore 2,” takes shape, Stiller is set to reprise his role, and the film is looking increasingly crowded with high-profile names. Though many plot details remain tightly under wraps, some intriguing casting updates have started to leak, leaving fans both excited and a bit wary.
Christopher McDonald will return as Shooter McGavin, Happy Gilmore’s old nemesis. Julie Bowen is also back as Virginia Venit, Happy’s girlfriend from the original film. Both characters are central to the Happy Gilmore story, and their return is sure to add a sense of nostalgia for fans of the first movie.
However, it’s the new faces joining the cast that have people talking—and not necessarily in a good way. Among the new names are Margaret Qualley, daughter of Andie MacDowell, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Their roles are still under wraps, but Stiller has confirmed that his character, Hal L., won’t be crossing paths with Kelce, who has recently been in the spotlight due to his relationship with global pop star Taylor Swift. Speaking about reprising his role as Hal, Stiller said, “How often do you get to play such a ridiculous character? Over the years, I’ve had a chance to play a few, but Hal is just so mean, and he just hates Happy so much. You don’t have to worry about having any redeeming qualities or being likable, which is great.”
Adding even more star power, global music icon Bad Bunny appears to be playing a character described as a waiter-turned-caddie. The hints came from a recent Instagram Story, where Bad Bunny shared a picture of himself in a caddie outfit, sparking speculation about his role in the sequel.
The golf component of “Happy Gilmore 2” looks to be packed with famous faces as well. Golf legends are reportedly making appearances, with John Daly already confirming his cameo.
PGA star Jordan Spieth has also hinted at the lineup, dropping names like Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, and Fred Couples. Spieth himself indicated that he might even have a few lines, provided they make the final cut. He said, “When I was up there, it was Lee Trevino, [Jack] Nicklaus, Freddie [Couples]. We had Corey Pavin… In our scene, next to me was Rickie [Fowler], Collin [Morikawa], Xander [Schauffele], and Keegan [Bradley].”
While all these big names are exciting, there’s a growing concern that the sequel might be suffering from cameo overload.
The original “Happy Gilmore” was beloved for its charm, humor, and simplicity—qualities that have been central to Adam Sandler’s best films. This time around, the sheer number of cameos threatens to overshadow the story, turning the movie into a parade of star appearances that might lack substance. The worry is that “Happy Gilmore 2” could become a film that’s all sizzle and no steak.
Julie Bowen, who plays Virginia Venit, recently spoke with “Entertainment Tonight” about the seemingly endless list of A-list cameos. “There’s so little I can say,” Bowen admitted. “The cast list is coded. It’ll say ‘Bus Boy,’ and then you get there and you go, ‘You’re not a bus boy. You’re like a giant, huge star.'” The constant stream of celebrities on set has even made it hard for the core actors to keep track of who’s playing what.
Despite the challenges, fans are hoping that Adam Sandler can bring his signature humor and charm to the project, keeping the focus on the story while navigating the logistical complexity of such a star-studded cast.
With so much hype surrounding the sequel, expectations are high. Worst-case scenario, fans can at least look forward to seeing Sandler’s daughters, Sadie and Sunny, who are likely to have small cameos in the film. And maybe they’ll get another chance to meet Taylor Swift, even though Sandler has admitted he gets flustered around the world’s biggest star.
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One major absence in “Happy Gilmore 2” is Carl Weathers, who played Chubbs Peterson, Happy’s beloved golf mentor.
Weathers, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 76, left behind an indelible mark on the original film. Chubbs’ iconic line, “It’s all in the hips,” remains one of the most memorable quotes from the movie, and finding a replacement for such a beloved character will be nearly impossible.
Whether “Happy Gilmore 2” lives up to the magic of the original remains to be seen. With so many A-list names and surprise cameos, the film is undeniably ambitious.
However, it will take a careful balance to recapture the simple, heartwarming charm that made “Happy Gilmore” a classic in the first place.
Here’s hoping that the sequel can land the plane smoothly and bring a fresh yet familiar take to the beloved story of Happy and his adventures on and off the golf course.
