In an exciting development for horror fans, Jennifer Love Hewitt is set to make a comeback in the upcoming “I Know What You Did Last Summer” legacy sequel slated for 2025. Hewitt first brought the character of Julie James to life in the 1997 slasher movie, which was based on the Lois Duncan novel. She also reprised the role in the franchise’s first sequel back in 1998.
The new installment will feature Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson, Julie’s love interest, along with a fresh cast including Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, and several others. Hewitt took to her official Instagram account to announce that she’s officially on board. The post’s caption playfully teased Julie James’ return and hinted at what’s in store for audiences next summer. The accompanying image had a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of a tense moment from the original movie.
It’s worth noting that this confirmation came over a year after initial talks about her joining the sequel began in February 2023. As of now, the storyline centering on Julie James remains somewhat of a mystery. Although Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character met her demise in the original film, she’s married to Freddie Prinze Jr. and has been present on set unofficially. Filming may have already started in late November, as indicated by a photo from the set, leaving room for Julie’s character to take a more prominent role as has been the case with other legacy sequel final girls like Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott in “Scream” and Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode in “Halloween”.
Freddie Prinze Jr.’s official addition to the cast in September 2024 might suggest that his character has a significant presence. The script was likely crafted with both Ray and Julie in mind. However, due to Prinze Jr.’s earlier commitment and more time on set, the production may have adjusted the script to incorporate Hewitt’s character more, perhaps even in scenes that have already been filmed, as they awaited her official confirmation.
Looking at the bigger picture, Julie James’ return could be a game-changer for the franchise. It has the potential to provide the much-needed nostalgia boost that could drive the legacy sequel to box office success. If that were to happen, it might even open the doors for another sequel, which would be a welcome boost for a franchise that has struggled to expand following a poorly received direct-to-video sequel in 2006 and the cancellation of a show on Prime Video in 2021. Overall, it seems the franchise is taking steps in the right direction with this casting decision, and fans will surely be eager to see how the story unfolds.
Related content:
-
AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON SHARES REFLECTIONS ON PLAYING QUICKSILVER IN THE MCU
-
GUILLERMO DEL TORO ENDORSES DEMI MOORE’S BODY HORROR FILM THE SUBSTANCE