I Know What You Did Last Summer’s New and Returning Stars Tease the Killer Sequel

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Due to numerous masked psychopaths ruling the horror genre in the ’80s, there was a significant decline in the quality of slasher films during the early ’90s, often referred to as a slasher slump. However, writer Kevin Williamson’s works such as “Scream” and the adaptation of Lois Duncan’s novel “I Know What You Did Last Summer” sparked renewed interest in this subgenre, marking the beginning of a new era of teenage horror. Similar to how “Scream” was rebooted to reacquaint viewers with Ghostface, a fresh version of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is now being prepared for release. This new adaptation will feature original cast members and introduce a new group of victims.

In a thrilling horror movie, a group consisting of Danica (Madelyn Cline), Ava (Chase Sui Wonders), Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy (Tyriq Withers), and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon) unite to hide their connection to a car accident. After a year, the truth surfaces as a murderer armed with a hook, nicknamed The Fisherman, starts hunting them down and brutally killing each one. However, after learning that something similar happened in the past, they reach out to Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), the only survivors of the 1997 Southport Massacre, to avoid meeting a grisly end.

ComicBook had a conversation with the actors from the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” regarding the intense gore scenes, uncovering the true identity of the Fisherman, the reappearance of Julie and Ray, and creating the ultimate scream.

ComicBook: How shocked were you over how gory and creative the kills have become 28 years later?

Freddie Prinze Jr openly admits his preference for practical effects over digital ones in films. He feels that digital effects can sometimes disrupt his immersion in a movie, causing him to lose focus on the story. Interestingly, he has friends who work on creating corpses for movies. One of them is the artist behind Sarah Michelle Gellar’s decapitated head in the first film, which was kept on ice. Given his high standards, he can be quite particular about this aspect. In fact, during a recent project, when he saw a character with a corpse made for him, he mistakenly assumed it was real, only to realize later that it was indeed a prop. This incident left him feeling rather foolish but also deeply impressed by the quality of the work.

Regarding their methods of causing death, they certainly came up with innovative approaches that were both intriguing and gruesome. I won’t spoil them because they’re quite entertaining, but I must admit I fell for a few traps. If I’m getting fooled, then it means they’re doing an excellent job.

In a chilling twist, it’s worth noting that Sarah Michelle Gellar, your spouse, delivered one of the most thrilling chase sequences in the horror genre when she played Helen Shivers in the original I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Absolutely, I’d contend that point with anyone. It’s incredibly poignant because despite Helen’s history of poor choices, her instinct is always to flee rather than confront. Yet, she escapes the consequences, which is unfair. The moment she chooses to stand her ground, to fight instead of run – a truly courageous decision – she perishes. And in that moment, there’s a glimmer of hope, only for it to be cruelly snuffed out.

What is your relationship to horror and the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise?

In Sarah Pidgeon’s words: Years before, I had watched the original production. Upon receiving this audition request, I revisited it once more. The initial version has a certain quirky charm that we aimed to emphasize in our rendition. However, the kills in the original are legendary, such as Helen Shivers. On rewatching, while preparing for my audition, I recognized the lines that fans often quote. Horror has always been something I appreciate.

Growing up as a horror enthusiast, I discovered the chilling world of “Saw.” Being a fan of spine-tingling films like “Paranormal Activity” and “Final Destination,” I would often immerse myself in darkness by turning off all the lights at home. My weekends were dedicated to this terrifying cinematic journey, where I’d watch one or two installments of “Saw” each night, relishing in the thrill it provided me.

Horror, as a genre, is not just about jump scares and bloodshed; it encompasses a variety of sub-genres, from suspense to comedy, and character development to creativity in crafting gruesome deaths. For me, the allure lies in these diverse elements that “Saw” masterfully combines, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

How would you describe the tone of the phone call when they asked you to reprise the role of Julie James, and what was your first response?

Jennifer Love Hewitt shared that she found out about a new “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie while working on “9-1-1”. Initially, she was disappointed as she hadn’t been asked to be part of the film. However, another headline read “Hopefully, Jennifer and Freddie are back”, which excited her. Later, her agent contacted her about being in the movie, but she had only learned of it a day earlier. Eventually, they received a call confirming her involvement, though she’s unsure how everything came together so quickly. Overall, she was thrilled about the opportunity.

Initially, I was brimming with enthusiasm, but suddenly apprehension took over. It was as if I exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! I’m no longer 18. It feels like centuries since I played Julie James. What will this be? What will it look like?” As things began to fall into place, they were genuinely interested in understanding Julie from my perspective. They asked, “What do you want from Julie James? What are you looking for? What do you want this to be?” I believe we brought her character to a fantastic evolution that the audience will find commendable and satisfying. I was both humbled and thrilled to contribute to it. Originally, they could have overlooked me entirely, yet they didn’t, which made me incredibly excited and grateful to participate. Certainly, there were moments of hesitation. When we encounter her again, she has made significant efforts to move past the past. However, I also believe she recognizes aspects of herself in the girl who approaches her with this question. The past often exerts a powerful pull, whether we desire it or not. In Julie’s case, it might be an unwanted return.

Fans might recognize you from the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, but “I Know What You Did Last Summer” couldn’t be more different from a Disney fairytale. Has there been a strong pull towards horror roles for you? What specifically attracted you to this part?

Jonah Hauer-King: I was eager to dive into this project. Considering its genre, that’s fitting. Typically, I don’t pick a project based solely on its genre. It’s usually more about the script and the director. In this instance, it was about the script, the director, and the genre. I hadn’t worked on a horror film before, and as we know, the term can encompass a wide range of tones. What drew me to this was how [director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson] is bringing it to life. It’s both terrifying and graphic, yet humorous and reminiscent of a romantic comedy where people lose their eyesight. It blends genres, so to speak. In essence, it offered everything I had hoped for and more. Surprisingly, it was quite funny at times. Filming horror can sometimes be amusing because you have these gruesome images, but when someone shouts “Cut!”, the atmosphere lightens with actors covered in sweet fake blood. On set, it doesn’t feel as scary, but in the cinema, it will be.

How ready is Ray to confront this new threat once the Fisherman resurfaces?

It’s clear that he’s not one to shy away from a confrontation; instead, he provokes conflict due to his persistent anger. Despite his advanced age, Ray remains unyielding in his refusal to back down from a fight. Interestingly, there are townsfolk who question the events unfolding, much like skeptical characters in horror films. Essentially, he’s expressing frustration, saying something like, “Dude, this isn’t the first time we’ve experienced such violence. What on earth is wrong with you all?

How surreal was it seeing the Fisherman back on the set?

The character Hewitt expresses his discomfort with the situation. In reality, he dislikes fishermen due to past experiences that have left him traumatized. Seeing a fisherman on set was not something he enjoyed, and he wasn’t excited about it. However, it appears that this is an unwelcome aspect of his life.

Do you get nightmares from it?

He found it hard to believe when we were making the first one. He said, “Now I’m supposed to go home and get some sleep, prepare for tomorrow? But just moments ago, I was running for my life, nearly getting killed! It’s truly terrifying. I don’t handle scary situations well.

In these slasher films, there’s always a question lingering about the murderer’s true identity. Does this movie also have an element of ‘who done it’?

One intriguing element of the movie is its mystery, as we don’t know who the character is. At first, I wasn’t aware of their identity either. When I received the initial draft, it was approximately 80 pages long. As I read through it, I thought, “This script is excellent, but the ending seems a bit strange.” Later, I realized that the final 15 pages were missing. In any case, the surprising revelation at the end of the movie enhances the enjoyment factor. It includes unexpected twists that keep viewers engaged.

How was it filming that first encounter between Milo and the Fisherman?

The first instance I encountered the Fisherman was during filming, when he was involved in a separate scene. I was summoned to assist with something else. The individual portraying the Fisherman remained stationary, dressed in his attire. To be honest, it was quite unnerving. Now, Jen’s horror films aren’t typically terrifying because of the numerous crew members and bright lights. However, the Fisherman’s imposing figure does instill a sense of fear. The movie from the ’90s is so iconic that encountering that image and figure in real life felt strange and surreal. It momentarily leaves you with a sense of unease.

In the movie, there’s a game of cat-and-mouse between the Fisherman and his targets. Instead of hitting Barry with a car, he caused harm in another way. He didn’t just cut off Helen’s hair, but also harmed her in another manner. He went as far as putting a dead body in Julie’s car trunk, suggesting that he plays dangerously with the lives of his intended victims in this film.

In our movie, you’ll find traces of certain aspects. The character, The Fisherman, wields significant influence despite his obscurity and violent methods of eliminating those around him. There’s a psychological element at play, hinted by the tease. While it isn’t identical to previous portrayals, it undeniably forms part of his intricate strategy.

Going into this, were there certain things you wanted for Ray?

The creators invested a great deal of effort and thought into shaping the characters after events 1 and 2. They had already contributed so much to the story. Instead of thinking, “What can I add?”, they were more like, “Wow, they’ve given me so many tools to work with. Let me see how I can interpret this and create a unique performance that meets their expectations.

You won’t discover that until you’re on the filming location. The director had great faith in me, and since we’ve been friends for some time, we trust each other profoundly. I was fortunate enough to observe her process of assembling this team, similar to how she put together the cast for her movie “Vengeance”. Her casting skills are truly remarkable.

What was it like reuniting with Freddie Prinze Jr. and delving into Julie’s relationship with Ray?

Speaker: I was quite anxious about it, mainly because it had been such a long time since I last worked on this project. You pour so much of yourself into your characters, then you move on from them, usually without the opportunity to return. The days leading up to filming, I was definitely feeling nervous. “Now that I’ve agreed and it’s been announced, it’s all over social media. I have the outfits and the hairstyle. But what should I do now?

Upon arrival, it seemed as if this was exactly where we were meant to be. “Ah, that’s Julie. That’s Ray. This is their narrative. This is the passage of time, yet they remain the same individuals. They continue to carry the same secret and scars.” It all came together smoothly, and I felt a great sense of relief. However, the anticipation leading up to it was indeed nerve-wracking.

As somebody who dissects horror movies on your podcast, what was your favorite trope in this flick?

In my childhood, I was raised on the Universal Monsters, and that’s why monsters will always hold a special place for me. Our monster, in this film, sports the hook, which I believe looks even more striking than it did in the first two installments. It’s my preferred weapon of choice. I have a soft spot for Candyman due to his hook, and the same goes for Ben Willis. If I had to pick a favorite horror genre trope, it would undoubtedly be the slasher. Though our slasher is more known for hooking, lifting, and tossing people around rather than slicing them, he still fits the bill as our quintessential slasher.

“It’s intriguing that we only discover who’s hiding under the trench coat once they remove their mask. This time, how suspenseful was the mystery surrounding the Fisherman’s identity? What were your thoughts about the final unveiling?”

Prinz: I find it intriguing when there’s discord within a group, such as the Scooby-Doo team starting to question each other. The movie “The Faculty” did this effectively, with lines like, “Perhaps it’s you.” or “Could it be you?” Then, charismatic Josh Hartnett suggests, “You need to smell this substance to prove you aren’t an extraterrestrial being.” To which someone replies, “I don’t do drugs.” And he counters, “Then, maybe you are an alien.” This element of doubt and suspicion is quite engaging.

In our initial encounter between Julie and myself at the boat, there was a hint of what I experienced earlier – tension. Similar feelings are present here too, as this new group is uncertain about whom to trust. There’s skepticism among them, and they are surrounded by danger. This situation reminds me of those teen horror movies where discord arises among characters.

As a horror newbie, what surprised you the most about filming in this genre?

This production isn’t typically scary, but it’s quite challenging due to the high-speed chases, intense violence, and physically demanding scenes. Despite my expectations, I didn’t initially recognize these aspects. What makes this project unique is the opportunity to blend traditional filmmaking with a modern sensibility, incorporating humor and witty dialogue that resonates with young adults, creating an authentic and relatable atmosphere.

What is Stevie’s dynamic like with other members of the group?

Pidgeon’s relationship with Teddy was incredibly strong when they were young. However, as they both matured and their circumstances changed, they drifted apart. As for my role as Stevie in the movie, it involves portraying her journey to reconnect with those she had once been close to but lost touch with along the way.

Apart from horror, you’ll find that I have a good grasp of the superhero genre too. Have I ever tried out for a role in a Marvel or DC production?

Sure thing!

Prinze: Well, it was somewhat the case. When they were producing a Punisher film and the part was for Jigsaw, I admired the director of the movie, Lexi Alexander. They invited me to audition but I initially declined. However, they persisted and asked me again, “Could you please come in and read for the role?

I created what I believed to be an impressive take on Jigsaw. The delivery and breathing were altered due to his extensive wounds. I gave it my best, but they opted for Dominic West instead. He delivered well, and his portrayal was distinct from mine. I understood their choice, as that was the sole role I auditioned for.

There’s certainly an air of suspense in these movies, as it seems like we might be dealing with the return of ‘Ben Willis.’ I found myself quite intrigued about how they would incorporate this enigma into this particular version.

Hewitt: Just like many others, I’m a fan of horror films, intrigued by how they manage to stay fresh and captivating over time through subtle alterations that keep audiences hooked. I believe this movie will deliver everything fans crave… and then some. It’s both thrilling and chilling, with increased levels of gore. At first, I hesitated, thinking I wouldn’t want to watch it. But they’ve certainly ramped up the horror elements and made it an exciting spectacle.

After the initial “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movies, did other horror productions come your way? There was a lot of buzz about you becoming the new Scream Queen.

Hewitt: No, I hadn’t starred in one, but I was prepared for the role. Julie stood out because she was nothing like a character from a horror movie. I was cast as the protagonist, while she was an ordinary girl, not someone you’d expect to see in a horror film. She was more like your typical neighbor. It’s unclear if her presence kept me away from future horror roles, but that’s alright. I’m eager to take on more projects of this kind.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired how some films demand actors to push their vocal abilities to the limit. For instance, in the scene where you unleash that chilling scream, I couldn’t help but wonder about your preparation process. Did Jennifer Love Hewitt share any tips or techniques with you to perfect that scream?

In the movie, I delivered a scream on my first day and didn’t get a chance to discuss it with Jennifer, an expert in her field. I found myself overthinking about that scream since I am quite sensitive to loud noises and prone to startling easily. However, I haven’t let out a genuine horror-movie scream in real life before. That level of authenticity is unfamiliar territory for me. It was liberating to make so much noise, but there was someone on set who ended up losing their voice due to the excessive screaming that day.

I Know What You Did Last Summer lands in theaters on July 18th.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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2025-07-09 21:45