What Convinced Freddie Prinze Jr. to Return to ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’

by

Thirty-two years since its initial release, the classic horror movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” has returned, with original stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprising their roles once more.

The latest movie tells the story of five companions who unintentionally trigger a fatal car crash and conceal it, only to receive menacing messages about their actions from a stalker a year later. Suspecting that this tormentor is mimicking an infamous serial killer, the group reaches out to the two individuals who survived the Southport massacre in 1997, portrayed by the characters of Prinze Jr. and Hewitt, for assistance.

On Monday at the Los Angeles premiere, Prinze Jr. shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he initially might have been reluctant to rejoin the franchise, but his friendship with director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and admiration for her 2022 movie “Do Revenge” swayed his decision.

The actor reminisced, “She suggested, ‘Take a look, I’ve got an idea for this, let me share my take on it and see if you find it compelling.’ She began by painting a picture of where these characters stood years down the line, dealing with a past traumatic event. This intrigued me, and then she unveiled this daring concept for the movie that captivated me instantly. I exclaimed, ‘I’m your man!’ before the script was even penned. I had faith, saying, ‘You and [writer] Sam [Lansky] will create a fantastic script. You’re an excellent writer already. I believe you’ll write a great script, and I’m on board. Together, we’ll make it happen.’ Once I heard the idea, things fell into place.

In the red carpet event, Freddie Prinze Jr. was accompanied by his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar, who had previously acted alongside him in the original movie but chose not to reprise her role for the 2025 edition as her character had perished. He lightheartedly commented on attending without his partner, “I don’t believe she missed it – that’s not a fear of missing out situation, she’s not insecure like that.

The actor confessed that he doesn’t get to witness much of his work, but he has watched this particular film; he adores it deeply, feels incredibly proud of it, and is grateful to be part of it. He’s thankful for the opportunity to follow Jennifer’s vision from start to finish in a studio production, which can be challenging due to the numerous suggestions that are common nowadays. However, she managed to navigate all the obstacles and preserve her vision, from pre-production to post-production, right up to tonight’s screening. He’s thrilled and eager to watch it once more with everyone present.

Besides the seasoned actors, the newly formed friend circle includes Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon.

Actress Cline, who’s currently wrapping up the final season of Outer Banks, expressed her excitement about the connection between the show and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Being a native of South Carolina, she shared that everyone there adores the movie. Moreover, it’s amusing because some members of our team and production had previously worked on the original I Know What You Did Last Summer, making us all devoted fans. As a legacy film, it holds immense prestige – being part of its continuation is truly an honor, as we gratefully carry on their blessings.

I Know What You Did Last Summer hits theaters on Friday.

Read More

2025-07-15 22:54