Men are often allowed to age in Hollywood. Women? Not so fast.
It’s a general rule with plenty of exceptions. Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep rush to mind, actresses of a certain age who never stop working.
Still, actresses often face pressure to find ways to stay forever young while their male co-stars gray and wrinkle up with less pressure.
One stark example went unnoticed by most people five years ago.
“Bill & Ted Face the Music” hit theaters and VOD platforms in August of 2020, the height of the pandemic. The sequel reunited the saga’s original co-stars, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, for a third round of comic antics.
The film featured their characters’ significant others during a therapy session. Those characters were first introduced in the 1989 film “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
Diane Franklin: Princess Joanna
Kimberley LaBelle: Princess Elizabeth
For “Face the Music,” the sequel’s producers cast younger stars in those roles.
Erinn Hayes: Princess Elizabeth
Jayma Mays: Princess Joanna
Most sequels clamor to bring back original cast members whenever possible. Not this time.
Hmmmm.
Another stark example? “Top Gun” star Kelly McGillis was left out of the blockbuster sequel. The star guessed prior to “Top Gun: Maverick’s” release that age played a role in the decision.
Entertainment Tonight asked McGillis way back in 2019 if the makers of Top Gun: Maverick had asked her to be in the film. “Oh my god no. They did not, nor do I think they would ever,” she replied, almost laughing at the idea. “I mean, I’m old and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about.”
Which brings us to “Happy Gilmore 2.” The Netflix sequel, hitting the streaming service July 25, features several cast members from the 1996 original.
That includes Adam Sandler in the title role, of course, but other returning actors include Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin) and Ben Stiller (Hal). Original co-stars Joe Flaherty and Carl Weathers have both passed in recent years.
When original “Happy Gilmore” love interest Julie Bowen heard about the sequel she figured she’d get the “Bill & Ted” treatment.
“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.”
Bowen’s family even told her about a rumor that Sydney Sweeney might join the sequel as Happy’s love interest.
Not even close.
Sandler, renowned for working with longtime friends and colleagues, reunites with Bowen for the anticipated sequel.