Julie Bowen expected to be replaced by a "younger woman" in Happy Gilmore 2.

The 55-year-old actress has reprised the role of Virginia Venit, Happy's love interest, in the long-awaited new movie - but Julie actually feared that she might've been replaced by a younger actress.

During an appearance on the Inside of You podcast, Julie shared: "I didn't think they'd bring me back at all.

"I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one, Happy Gilmore 2."

Julie starred alongside Adam Sandler in the original Happy Gilmore movie, which premiered in 1996. But Julie wasn't confident that would be cast in the first film either.

The actress recalled: "I read and they were relieved. They were visibly relieved. I go, 'What's going on?' They're like, 'Yeah, some of these girls are just so aggressively sexy.' And I was like, 'That's a bad thing?'"

Julie previously revealed that she thought Sydney Sweeney was set to replace her in Happy Gilmore 2.

The actress thought someone like Sydney was perfectly suited to replace her in the much-anticipate new comedy movie.

Julie told The Hollywood Reporter: "I thought, 'Well I won't be in it'. And that was OK - it was like Virginia Venit, it's been 30 years, he's got a hottie. He's got some little bitty on the side, like a cart girl.

"As a matter of fact my children told me, before I was even told officially that there was a 'Happy Gilmore' sequel, my now 18-year-old said, 'Mom, I hear they're doing a sequel and he's with Sydney Sweeney as a cart girl.'"

Sydney, 27, was widely linked with a role in the new 'Happy Gilmore' movie - but Julie was pleasantly surprised to be offered a part in the sequel.

The actress - who stars alongside in the new film alongside the likes of Margaret Qualley, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller - said: "I went, I'm hurt and I so respect that move. Of course, why wouldn't you? So when I got the call that I was actually in it, I was like, 'Are you sure? Come on.'"