Julie Bowen and director Kyle Newacheck discuss the controversial decision to kill off Virginia Venit in Happy Gilmore 2, explaining why it was crucial for Happy's story arc.

Happy Gilmore 2 brings back cinema’s favorite pro golfer as he faces a new set of challenges on and off the course.

"Happy Gilmore 2" director Kyle Newacheck defended the decision to kill off Virginia, telling /Film: "There's always a concern when you're playing with that type of darkness. But I don't know, I was never really concerned because it is the driving force [of the film]. If you pull that out, then what do you have? You don't have anything real."

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.